to wonder how often you eat out?

[Dolcelatte]

How often do you eat out (not including McDonalds!)?

No, not stealth boasting at all. I was a bit worried that I might be flamed for being too indulgent at a time when a lot of families are struggling but I would rather make other economies than give up my meals out. I am encouraged that so many others feel the same. After all, not only is it good for us, it's good for the economy too!

I also agree that it seems to be a generational thing. My parents and PILs have always enjoyed eating out, but possibly unusually so. My aunt, who is quite well off - certainly enough to eat out frequently if she wished to - only likes to go to the John Lewis self service. I think she doesn't feel comfortable not being in control and having people to 'wait' on her, I'm not sure exactly, but she just can't relax and enjoy herself, which is a shame.

I think everybody needs some kind of luxury; it's just a case of finding a luxury that you can afford and that actually means something to you.

My mother thinks I am terribly extravagant to drink a cup of instant coffee a day when I could be drinking cheap tea and saving that money for travelling like she does.

As a writer, I find the coffee far more important than a long weekend at some art capital or other, but she can't see that it's all relative. To her, her luxuries are verging on necessities and other people's luxuries are extravagances

She has also nagged me rather strongly to get rid of my fishtanks and make room for a piano- because to her music is Important and animal behaviour is not: she can't see that they are simply two perfectly legitimate ways of passing the time that people can choose according to preference.

In the case of your aunt, I'm not sure it's a shame at all; isn't it just a case of her choosing to spend her money on something she is comfortable with rather than what other people think she should enjoy? Just because there's nothing wrong with some people enjoying eating out, doesn't mean everybody has to enjoy it or that some people can't prefer something else.

this week...about 6 times Usually once or twice a week..which Is too much I know!

Like some others have said, my parents really don't like eating out. And it is really quite unpleasant eating out with them when they do come with us. They chose something really cheap/small or nothing at all, so I feel like I have to share my meal with them (and they do have some of mine even though they have declared that they are not hungry). It is annoying. Sometimes when we are out with the kids and the weather is crap, there is no option but to eat out. If it weren't for the kids I'd maybe wait till we got home later, so grab a sarnie to eat or something like that. But with 2 little ones, and one still needing a high chair, eating out is unavoidable if you are out and about.

We went on holiday for a week in France with my parents once, when I was PG with DC1. Me and DH wanted to eat out at every lunch time (we were in self catering apartment, so dinner me made there). We love eating out on holiday and it's an essential and enjoyable part of the holiday for us. But my parents wanted to just grab a baguette and eat it sitting on a bench. And they did that a couple of times. We joined them too cos it seemed odd and silly to be eating in a restuarant when my parents were across the road eating sitting on a bench. But once we were already sat down in a restaurant, and i got seats for all 4 of us and said it's on us. but still they looked at the menu, said they weren't that hungry and wanted to get a baguette instead. So we let them. Me and DH ate on our own.
Never again will I go on holiday with them.
They do go on holiday a lot, but they always just eat a sandwich or slice of pizza, they never eat out.

Seriously of some of you!

DH and I eat out together maybe once or possibly twice a year (no babysitters). Only takeaway seems to be on my birthday. Then maybe a pub lunch en masse maybe every 2 or 3 months with friends.

I do take the children to the odd cafe if we're out and about for the day and I can't be bothered to make sandwiches and have been know to drop in to Costa or Strabucks!

We only used to go once a year but recently got a respite carer for DD..so enjoying the novelty of eating out although we often fall.asleep in dinner. Also eat out with friends..on way to lunch now

Presumably eating out means at a restaurant or a cafe? Depends, but this week three times so far, normally less.

We eat out on Saturdays and Sundays, once during the week during school holidays and everyday when we are on holiday. DC can just about get away with having a kids meal but will probably change to once a week when they have adult meals. We normally spend £30 to £35 on lunch or dinner for family of 4.