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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 20:14

I have had some success with brown lentils aga. key not to overcook the buggers.

OP posts:
AgaPanthers · 11/06/2014 20:14

Am going to Munich tomorrow. The one thing I still think is an abomination is the currywurst. Curry needs to be lovingly slaved over with 25 different fresh spices, not made from powder from a packet and then slopped onto sausage.

MadameDefarge · 11/06/2014 20:15

ew! food crime!

OP posts:
violetlights · 11/06/2014 20:17

MadameD I live in a 'vibrant' part of London too, where everybody yacks to everyone else. I find nothing odd about you suggesting he phone his wife...! Helpful, I think!

I had a conversation with a random stranger today about her skin colour and whether being suntanned would be an 'improvement' or not. Grin (I should say it was her who bought up the subject!) Most people round here will talk about anything and offer their opinion at the drop of a hat. I like it. Smile Continue as you are!

MadameDefarge · 11/06/2014 20:22

Roger that Violet!

OP posts:
MadameDefarge · 11/06/2014 20:23

I mean Roger, as in, Roger, over and out, rather than fuck that violet! Just to be crystal clear!

OP posts:
MadameDefarge · 11/06/2014 20:24

And we mustn't forget he did actually call his wife!

OP posts:
ManWithNoName · 11/06/2014 21:28

This thread is just like one of those cookery programmes with some chef that has never been outside London talking about ingredients you 'self sourced' or just 'pooped into your local deli' to buy.

Up North where I live they don't have 'deli' ingredients and people self source food by picking it off a shelf in Greggs. Grin

MadameDefarge · 11/06/2014 21:30

well, I shall try not be offended by that. Though how you equate a vietnamese supermarket which is as rough as fuck with a deli I don't know. Maybe you need a trip to skanky bits of London to knock a few of those prejudices out of you!

OP posts:
ManWithNoName · 11/06/2014 21:38

I used to live in London though. I think I might have picked up my prejudices in Partridges when we sourced our Christmas dinner there once.

AdoraBell · 11/06/2014 21:40

Couldn't post earlier, but, .OP if I a) worked outside of the home and b) knew what the bloody hell hawthorn was used for I would be grateful to the helpful woman who suggested my DH call me. Because he's fecking useless with shopping listsGrin

As long as I wasn't performing surgery on a patient of course.

MadameDefarge · 11/06/2014 21:42

do you often poop in your local deli, Man? Grin

OP posts:
ManWithNoName · 11/06/2014 21:54

I try not to. Blush

MadameDefarge · 11/06/2014 22:00

ah yes, forgot there are no delis outside London Grin

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ProfessionalProcrastinator · 11/06/2014 22:13

en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haw_flakes

I wonder if she meant haw flakes? They're flat discs of hawthorn candy. Anyone growing up in Singapore, China, Malaysia, Thailand would have eaten these as children.

ProfessionalProcrastinator · 11/06/2014 22:15

I always have haw flakes on my list when I go to Chinese supermarkets! If a mumsnetter found my list there would definitely be a thread!

MadameDefarge · 11/06/2014 22:19

so we have two different kinds of edible hawthorn berries, those native to the UK and those called chinese hawthorn trees?

Are they really yummy, Prof?

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ProfessionalProcrastinator · 11/06/2014 22:24

They are amazing Madame! Tangy, not too sweet and a weird texture I can't even describe Grin

sharonthewaspandthewineywall · 11/06/2014 22:25

Was Sharon there?

No
I
Was
Not

ExitPursuedByABear · 11/06/2014 22:27

DH is incapable of going shopping without phoning me for help.

MadameDefarge · 11/06/2014 22:29

hmm! Might have to have my own little hawthorn moment next time I go!

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Helpys · 11/06/2014 22:51

This thread has been a roller coaster! I've been reading it with my hand shooting up and going 'miss, miss ask me!'

  1. What's hawthorne in French? You answered Grin but how did you know? 2)Koreans have a special kimchi fridge because it makes the other food smell.
  2. Have you been here? Delicious and cheap
  3. And randomly foreign food request, has anyone found asofeitada?
MadameDefarge · 11/06/2014 23:00

You can get it from Tesco online, the Scharz brand.

Asafoetida...very good in windy style foods like jerusalem artichoke and the like, counteracts the effects.

OP posts:
MadameDefarge · 11/06/2014 23:01

schwarz brand. That'll teach me to be smartypants about spelling.

OP posts:
ProfessionalProcrastinator · 11/06/2014 23:02

Helpys if you need asafoetida, go to an Indian grocery shop and ask for Hing. Smile