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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to think couples should take two bottles of wine with them when going to a friend's home for dinner?

167 replies

ImperialBlether · 23/12/2011 16:05

Just wondering what you thought.

If a single person goes to dinner at a friend's home, he/she takes a bottle of whatever it is they like to drink. Usually wine. It doesn't really matter if they only drink 1/3 of the bottle, they still take the whole bottle and, if they are normal, they don't take the rest of the bottle home with them.

So if you are a couple, you should take two bottles, shouldn't you? Why is it then that so many will take one bottle between them, because they are a 'unit'?

It was the reference to couples/singles paying for taxis that sparked this off - still not sure why couples think they should only pay for one fare, but that's another thread.

OP posts:
Hullygully · 23/12/2011 16:06

Depends what you drink, round my way we take two, but I don't expect it.

NinkyNonker · 23/12/2011 16:07

Couples only pay one fare if they are going to the same destination.

If we go somewhere we tend to just take one bottle as I don't drink, maybe a soft drink as well.

exoticfruits · 23/12/2011 16:08

I don't see why-there are lots of combinations e.g. take a bottle twice the price-take flowers etc. It all gets silly if people are totting up the cost!

Hullygully · 23/12/2011 16:08

Taxi fare should be split equally between all passengers of course.

exoticfruits · 23/12/2011 16:09

Perhaps you could say as you hand it in 'we have only one bottle, but it cost double the one we would have got as a single person' Xmas Grin

Original poster
ImperialBlether · 23/12/2011 16:09

Ninky, two flatmates would each pay, wouldn't they?

And it's different if you don't drink - I'm talking about when both do drink.

OP posts:
AgentZigzag · 23/12/2011 16:09

Single people should just take half a bottle if they're that bothered.

You They could swig it from a brown paper bag on the bus on the way there perhaps? Grin

miSaltireandwine · 23/12/2011 16:10

It depends what we are drinking. We went out on Saturday night and took a box of 18 can of cider. We didn't drink them, (as when we went in teh hosts had cider so gave us theirs) and we didnt take it away when we left,we left there. If we are both driking wine we will take at least 2 as I drink white and DH drinks red

baubleybobbityhat · 23/12/2011 16:10

We take two (as we both tend to drink quite a bit Xmas Grin) but I wouldn't really notice if a couple only bought one to my house!

Original poster
ImperialBlether · 23/12/2011 16:10

Grin @ exoticfruits.

OP posts:
Original poster
ImperialBlether · 23/12/2011 16:11

No need to be rude, AgentZigzag. I'm one of those taking my own bottles!

OP posts:
jalopy · 23/12/2011 16:11

Er....no...not really.

DottyandSpottyWot · 23/12/2011 16:11

If DH & I are invited for a meal then I would take 1 bottle of wine or flowers as a thank you. I wouldn't actually expect anyone to bring anything with them if I was hosting. I would buy in enough wine, beer, spirits, soft drinks for the guests.

If we shared a taxi with other people we would pay our share! we are normally last out, and if others have given too much money then we give it back or pay the next taxi without taking their share!

Trifle · 23/12/2011 16:12

I agree. You're taking wine as a gift in appreciation of the time, expense and effort the hosts have put in to buying, cooking and hosting which in most cases is a damn sight more than a £10 bottle of wine. However it never ceases to amaze me the people who turn up to a party with a really shit bottle of wine but because it's in a fancy bag that somehow makes it better.

ArtVandelay · 23/12/2011 16:13

If we are going to staid friends we will take one bottle. If we are going to friends who like to get stuck in for a good drink long after the meal has finished we will take 2-3. Probably also some chocolates or a box of ice-cream. Hate those guests that bring one sorry bottle of sweet/fizzy/weak lambrini shit and then proceed to glug your rioja and vodka like there's no tomorrow.

YANBU unless said guests are very moderate drinkers.

AgentZigzag · 23/12/2011 16:13

I think my post didn't come across very well, sorry Smile

bet you do swig it on the bus from a bag though Wink

JollyJinglyJoo · 23/12/2011 16:14

we'd always take 2 (or even 3) bottles of wine.....but that's because DH and I would usually drink 2 or 3 bottles of wine. Blush

mummyosaurus · 23/12/2011 16:14

YANBU

DH doesn't drink so we take a bottle of soft drink and one of wine, but a bottle each.

NinkyNonker · 23/12/2011 16:14

Oh yes, when I drank we would take two I think, tbh it seems like forever ago that I was able to have more than a sip...sob.

TeWiharaMeriKirihimete · 23/12/2011 16:14

I don't drink wine and DH is usually driving and limited to one glass, so it would be pretty daft to take two bottles. We usually take one and leave it there.

OTOH, we don't always take anything anyway. Depends on who it is and how formal the dinner is.

Ephiny · 23/12/2011 16:15

I think one bottle is fine, it's more of a token gesture of thanks and appreciation, than some kind of 'payment' for what you're going to consume?

Not sure what you mean about the taxi thing - surely the fare is the same regardless of whether it's a couple of a single person in the taxi?

YouOldSlag · 23/12/2011 16:15

YABU. I think you should take what you drink. If two people show up with a bottle each, I would assume they both planned to drink a whole bottle each with dinner.

If you're going to get shit-faced on wine, take three bottles. If you're going to have a couple of glasses with your meal, take one. That goes for couples or singles.

As for couples paying "one fare" in taxis- I've never heard or seen that. It's usually per person isn't it? If me and DH got a cab with a single friend we would either pay it all as a gesture or pay 2/3.

NinkyNonker · 23/12/2011 16:16

We always take chocs, or flowers, or another token we think they may like though. And if it is one of those occasions that we just know will last till the early hours then a couple f bottles for DH, or some port/champagne or something as well.

usualsuspect · 23/12/2011 16:17

Maybe they should bring a box of wine

Ephiny · 23/12/2011 16:18

Oh you mean sharing a taxi as part of a group - then yes I agree each person should pay their own way. It's like buying rounds in the pub, couples don't get to 'share' a round, unless they're going to share a drink too!