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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To have forced this man to call his wife?

179 replies

MadameDefarge · 11/06/2014 16:35

So, there I was, in line to pay for my shopping at a Vietnamese supermarket. It just so happens a really good one is local to me, but they are pretty hard to find most of the time.

Chap in front is clutching a shopping list, has a few items, and asks the cashier (who really only speaks Vietnamese) for hawthorn. Now she did not understand what he said, I helpfully enunciated it properly, and translated it into French (smartypants or what) she had no idea, he had no idea he said its for my wife.

I said it was probably the bud or fruit of the hawthorn tree (as it indeed turns out to be). Both look blank. He shrugs his shoulders and looks as if he is going to slope off sans hawthorn.

At which point I suggested he called his wife for clarification.

He looked at me like I was stark raving crazy looney laydee. But she is at work! he gasped...

I said she might be rather cross and have a food crisis if he didn't. Still looked freaked out...but did go outside and call.

Was IBU to think that his wife would be pretty grumpy to have sent him to a speciality food store (I am channelling Ina Garten here) and for him to retreat without all the ingredients for her special planned dinner? And to not at least call or text to try and sort it out?

OP posts:
MadameDefarge · 11/06/2014 17:14

Of course it really happened! I just thought it might amuse the good people of MN!

My shopping list was:

Mirin
Vietnamese mint
Thai basil
deep fried tofu
yellow bean paste
kimchi
frozen grated coconut

OP posts:
Fenton · 11/06/2014 17:16

MadameD, you need to upload a pic of your list and a google map of the shop or it didn't happen. Hmm

Grin
thornrose · 11/06/2014 17:16

OOh, what are you making?

beijaflor · 11/06/2014 17:18

OP, if you'd done that to my DH, I'd be thrilled!! He's gone to a specialty store to buy a special ingredient, which she clearly wanted, and he won't make a short call to make sure he gets it right?

I want what's on the list! That's why I wrote the list. I don't care if other bizarre stuff comes home, too - shopper's prerogative - but ALL items on the list need purchasing.

beijaflor · 11/06/2014 17:19

Oooo, also want to come round yours for dinner... I love kimchi and deep fried tofu so very, very much.

OhYouBadBadKitten · 11/06/2014 17:20

mmmmmm food.
I've never had Vietnamese but I feel that I should try it. How or where I know not.

MadameDefarge · 11/06/2014 17:21

London Star Supermarket

honestly, you lot!

OP posts:
BoulevardOfBrokenSleep · 11/06/2014 17:22

I made Nigella's mirin salmon the other night. It did not go well. Hmm

HeartsTrumpDiamonds · 11/06/2014 17:22

I want to know too, thornrose! All in the same dish?! Wink

Madame if I PM you, will you tell me where this wondrous shop is? Round here we've got a half decent one - it sort of appears to be pan-Asian, I've never worked it out exactly - but I always like checking out new places. I'm rubbish at actual Asian cooking though (Thai/Korean/Vietnamese/etc).

HeartsTrumpDiamonds · 11/06/2014 17:23

Deep fried tofu rocks.

Man am I hungry.

Thanks for the link Smile

MadameDefarge · 11/06/2014 17:24

I'm trying to build up a good store cupboard of this stuff, and wanted to try the kimchi.

I thought the fresh coconut was genius as its one of those things often called for in Indian or Asian cuisine, and who the heck sells it normally?

And I am becoming a bit addicted to thai basil. You also get a massive amount for pennies.

(will be having Iceland spring rolls, wrapped in soft round lettuce leaves and mint and basil leaves, dipped in nuoc cam sauce) Cheats heaven!

OP posts:
beijaflor · 11/06/2014 17:25

I know I have toasted sesame oil and tofu at home. Planning.

MadameDefarge · 11/06/2014 17:26

I also find that making carrot and radish pickle with a vietnamese pickling sauce (sugar, lime, garlic powder, water, fish sauce) is a really good fridge nibble...

OP posts:
MadameDefarge · 11/06/2014 17:27

If anyone really wants some good vietanamese/asian ingredients and cant get them online, do PM me and I will do a Red Cross parcel! It has literally everything!

Got to spread the food love!

OP posts:
AMillionNameChangesLater · 11/06/2014 17:28

I was going to write out something long, but pretty much i agree with hairy

LadyIsabellaWrotham · 11/06/2014 17:31

I found (what I thought was) a shopping list on my actual doorstep the other day. I was v excited, but then confused, because although it started "King prawns" the next three items were illegible and then the last was "tap water" Confused. What kind of list has tap water on it? So I didn't offer it up for the denizens of MN because it was just too surreal. But somehow I thought it would fit right in with this thread.

MadameDefarge · 11/06/2014 17:32

Grin LadyIsabella!

OP posts:
OhYouBadBadKitten · 11/06/2014 17:32

You are so lovely MdmeD :)

HeartsTrumpDiamonds · 11/06/2014 17:34

I love the fact that it is "Supermarket And Video" Grin

You are not a million miles away from me...

MadameDefarge · 11/06/2014 17:34

blush

nah, just obsessed with grub!

OP posts:
MadameDefarge · 11/06/2014 17:35

Blush even!

OP posts:
HeartsTrumpDiamonds · 11/06/2014 17:36

I reckon we need to have a foodie MN meet up where we can all bring our favourite dishes pot-luck and stuff our faces with yummy food

AgaPanthers · 11/06/2014 17:36

Yabu for speaking French. Learn Vietnamese or GTFO.

ginslinger · 11/06/2014 17:40

I think you were splendid Madame and had it been DH i would have been tres grateful - magnifique bonjour francais ooh la la

MadameDefarge · 11/06/2014 17:40

Aga? did someone shake your Three Crabs Fish Sauce a bit too heartily?

OP posts: