Yes I am, and DP has confirmed it. But I'm still annoyed!

[MadameBigToes]

OK totally first world and highly unreasonable/unseasonable whinge alert.

Friend has asked us out to dinner in a restaurant for his birthday - all good so far, get babysitter, nice meal out. I should be looking forward to it but I'm not because every time we go out with this friend he decides we are all going to have the "banquet"/selection of dishes/everyone share everything option. I've checked and yes, it's that type of restaurant and will definitely be happening.

I very rarely get to go out for a proper kids-free meal in the evening and when I do, and am paying for it, I just wish I could choose my own food! I cannot stand it when they bring 35 little dishes, they get spread over the whole table, and then 10 or 12 people spend about half an hour passing them up and down, going "ooh what's that!?" "Excuse me" "Ooh try this!!!" with someone else inevitably grabbing all the nice stuff before it reaches you, and by the time you've finally got a plate of shitey leftovers food to eat it's all bloody cold anyway. It makes me want to cry. When I could have just chosen a nice meal that I like and have someone cook it who is not me for once.

I can't say anything because it's his birthday, his choice and it would seem massively unreasonable as it in fact is is. And it would look surly to ask to opt out of the oh-so-fantastically sociable and fun "banquet" and just eat my own.

I know some people can't afford to eat out at all, I know I'm lucky. If you want to come and flame me, feel free, I know I'm in the wrong.

Bah.

Say that you are very sorry but you are keeping your eye on what you are eating for allergy testing, so you'll order something that you know is safe.

I was going to suggest this when I read your OP. But being the one that says "I think I will have the X actually, it sounds lovely and I want it all to myself Har Har!" may well cause a mini revolt with others who dont like sharing either. I loath buffets, banquets, "lets all share" meals. I have big problems with food so they are a no-no for me. I dont care what anyone else thinks anymore, after too many evenings with an empty plate and pressure to "try this!" I just say NO.

I hate banquet type meals because as a vegetarian I order a few options for myself which end up being guzzled down by the meat eaters and I end up with nowt.