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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

She wants to bring her own food to the dinner I am cooking?!?!?!

92 replies

MumofAurelia · 29/01/2012 18:17

ffs!
To set the scene, I cook, a lot, some of it for profit, cooking dinner parties for people. I have never, ever had a complaint and have lots of repeat business. I especially love cooking for my friends, we all chip in, they challenge me to make something tricky, it is something we have done for about 20 years as it saves us lots of money on restaurant bills.

One friend, who is turning 40, has asked me to cook a Thai meal for our group of friends, we have been good friends since 11, holidayed together, are godparents for each others kids, executors for each others parents wills etc etc. Siblings rather than mates really and it is a lovely thing.
One of the group has a much older girlfriend, she never, ever comes out if any of the ones who have kids is there (her own, totally understandable self protection reasons)
But she says that she is coming to this meal, which tbh would be nice as she is really good fun and my friend loves her dearly. I am going to cook for 12, there are 3 meat, 3 fish, 3 vegetarian dishes plus rice on the menu which has been published to everyone to make sure the favourites are on there. One of the reasons for selecting Thai is that it is something we all like, the veg dishes selected are ones she orders when out.
But I now have a message, via someone else in the group that she will bring her own food, so I don't have to make a special effort for her. Apart from not eating meat or fish she has no allergies we know about.

AIBU to be insulted? AIBUto think she should eat what I cook? AIBU to bother with the silly cow at all as she probably won't turn up anyway? AIBU to think she is just fucking rude?!?!?!

OP posts:
PuggyMum · 29/01/2012 18:19

Do people pay you for this?

If everyone chips in the same and she brings her own food, would she still chip in?

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 29/01/2012 18:20

I think you're being u. She's trying not to put you to any more trouble. Lots of Thai dishes have fish sauce in them, so maybe she's worried about that? Maybe she's trying you help you by bringing something else for everybody to dip in to? But to call her a 'silly cow' and 'fucking rude' seems a massive over-reaction imo.

sozzledchops · 29/01/2012 18:20

She must have a reason, does it really matter?

mojitomania · 29/01/2012 18:21

If she wants to bring her own food, that's fine.

I personally would think she was a bit of a nutter and laugh.

bittenbythehandthatfed · 29/01/2012 18:21

don't jump straight in - talk to her directly, seeing as the message came via someone else - there might be a good reason...

SinicalSanta · 29/01/2012 18:21

'that you know about' might be the key phrase here.

If your friend thinks highly of her she must be nice enough, if a bit finicky about food for whatever reason.

Don't be insulted - shrug it off.

IUseTooMuchKitchenRoll · 29/01/2012 18:21

Yes, YABVU to be offended.

The poor woman probably has some kind if food issue that has made occasions like this difficult throughout her whole life. Have a little understanding and realise that it is a problem to do with her, not you or your food.

Lots of people don't like Thai food, I don't. Just because the rest of your group does, that doesn't mean she should. She is trying to make it easier for you by bringing her own, she's not trying to insult you.

fuzzypeach1750 · 29/01/2012 18:22

Rude. Really really rude. Angry I can't really get my head around why though.

dinkystinky · 29/01/2012 18:22

She's abit odd but I'd let it slide - maybe she's on some weird diet, may be she's developed intolerances, maybe she's a loon .... Who knows?! But she should have told you as host directly, not via a friend, that is what she is planning to do.

thepeoplesprincess · 29/01/2012 18:22

YABU.

Get over yourself. Perhaps she doesn't fancy Thai food at the mo, maybe she is dieting, trying to save money.

Or maybe you're a shite cook?

bagelmonkey · 29/01/2012 18:23

Is she watching her weight?

Fairyloo · 29/01/2012 18:23

Is she sticking to set diet?

Atkins dukan? She maybe wants to eat own stuff

If not she sounds Envy and I'd let her cut her nose off to spite her face

Don't worry you sound lovely can you cook for me!!

bigTillyMint · 29/01/2012 18:23

It sounds a bit strange, but not insulting. Maybe she has some issues that you are not aware of?

minceorotherwise · 29/01/2012 18:23

YABU and not very nice

mojitomania · 29/01/2012 18:24

Also, aren't you curious as to what she eats?

SnapesDoxy · 29/01/2012 18:25

Maybe she thinjs you are only doing veg dishes for her and dosen't want you put out.

CharminglyOdd · 29/01/2012 18:26

YABU for the simple reason 'someone says' she will bring her own food. This could turn out to be massively misconstrued... have you tried actually asking her in a polite way purely on a numbers basis so you know how much you need to cook?

If something she said has been taken out of context, e.g. 'I'll bring some kind of snack contribution', then what a lot of fuss for nothing and potentially a ruined friendship.

OriginalJamie · 29/01/2012 18:26

YAB a bit U

Why does it have to be about you?

TeamEdward · 29/01/2012 18:27

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

mojitomania · 29/01/2012 18:27

Yes, snapes has a point op. Why not ask her to bring enough for everyone to try.

SimoneD · 29/01/2012 18:27

Im with you OP I think she is being 'fucking rude'. I would be gobsmacked if I invited someone to dinner and they announced they were bringing their own food and I wouldnt dream of doing this to a friend even if they were the worst cook in the world (your menu sounds fab by the way).
She sounds like a nutter.

thepeoplesprincess · 29/01/2012 18:28

Also, I am assuming she is vegetarian/vegan. Perhaps she doesn't trust your understanding of the restrictions, or doesn't like eating food cooked in the same saucepans etc.

fuzzypeach1750 · 29/01/2012 18:29

I think you need to call her and let her know that it is no bother cooking for her and that you love to. Be extra nice Smile if she still insists on bringing her own then I'd be a little Hmm and before anyone jumps down my throat yes I know all about allergies. My DC have food allergies and my DH has so many frigging food allergies there is not much that he's not allergic to. But, we go to dinner with friends and he doesn't make an issue out of it. He realises and appreciates the trouble that people have gone to and makes the best of what he can eat. And never brings his own. It is rude!

AmberLeaf · 29/01/2012 18:29

YABU.

Maybe she thinks she is helping? or doesnt want to impose?

AmberLeaf · 29/01/2012 18:30

ps if you are so confident in your abilities, why are you so insulted?