To think this was a rubbish present

[MerylPeril]

Saw friend and her DH today (our DHs work together, used to be very close, no so now).

She was 40 recently so talking about that and asked what she got. Her DH took her for a surprise meal for her present. He took her to a (very nice) seafood restaurant, however she's a vegetarian.
So her DH tells me all about all the amazing things he ate including a huge seafood platter, asked friend and she had 'mushroom risotto' and no starter (no veggie starters).

Honestly to me that's a shit present - he picked somewhere for himself. There's actually a very nice vegetarian restaurant near here and of course lots of others which would have more than bloody mushroom risotto (ex veggie here).

On top of that - he got her to drive!

My DH was then telling me how he had always fancied going there and he would take me! I'm allergic to seafood so was not a good choice and was very clear I would not be happy going! Especially as a treat for me!

[MerylPeril]

It was a surprise

[Witchend]

How do you know she didn't suggest it? I've certainly suggested places to dh that we've arrived and found that contrary to my expectations there's nothing I'm really keen on. Someone might have said to her "get him to take you to X-they do a fantastic mushroom risotto".

And I usually drive. I don't care about drinking, so we have an arrangement that I drive and dh doesn't make any comments about the price of soft drinks . Actually dh will more often have tap water than other drinks, but I like to have something more.

[chickenowner]

inertia courgettes

[chickenowner]

Yes, rubbish present.

Reminds me of a story my Mum told me - in the 1960s her brother gave her a suede shoe brush for her birthday. She didn't have any suede shoes, but he did!

[Kiwiinkits]

I agree with Tinkly. If you act like a passive recipient of shit, then you will be given shit. Speak up or put up. Don't accept it and whinge afterward.

[Inertia]

He sounds awful, and I wouldn't have been impressed.

I hope she buys him some courgettes for his birthday.

[Benedikte2]

My XH gave me a new ironing board! I couldn't believe it and was very hurt. He was the one who was obsessive about ironed shirts etc whereas I chose to buy non iron stuff. He'd ask me what I'd like for my birthday etc and then reject my suggestions with "You don't want that". So pleased he's X

[snowgirl1]

BikeRunSki I like your Aunt's style!

[DiegeticMuch]

He's an idiot and she's a mug.

[BikeRunSki]

Many years ago my uncle gave my (completely un-techy) aunt an early BBC Micro (v early PC) fir hey birthday. A few weeks later, she gave him diamond earrings for his. p

[MerylPeril]

I didn't say anything. He's a twat, he always has been, she seems to find some of his behaviour amusing. I certainly wouldn't put up with him.

[Memoires]

Poor woman. How was her face while he was telli you how wonderful he is?

[AnotherPrickInTheWall]

That is hardly a gift; more like a kick in the teeth.
A gift should be a selfless act of giving something the recipient would appreciate.
I have a friend whom I rarely see as her DH seems to actively seek to make any kind of social activity unpleasant and always has to be centre stage whatever the occasion.
Does this man fit this description?

[00100001]

The driving thing is dolphinately true

[Hrafnkel]

Surely it's a worldwide, universal rule that if it's your birthday you don't drive.

He's a dick. Your poor friend.

[00100001]

He cod have chosen a much better plaice

[toastedbeagle]

Damn beat me to it by 40 secs!

[toastedbeagle]

He sounds utterly shellfish

[00100001]

Yes, it was very shellfish of him to give such a carp present.

[molyholy]

His next birthday present from me would be a cake with a lump of shit in it.

This appealed to my immaturity and made me laugh

[BlueLeopard]

I think this might actually trump my twat ex's efforts when he bought me a tracksuit (which I never wear) and sports equipment for a sport I've never done, nor have ever indicated that I wanted to do. And the fucker put it on my debit card too the gobshite.

I wonder did he make her pay for her birthday meal too? I wouldn't be surprised if he did!

[TinklyLittleLaugh]

More fool her though not to say, "No I can't eat anything here, I want to go somewhere else".

People can only treat you as badly as you let them.

[elQuintoConyo]

Ha! What a prize dick.

[trafalgargal]

Since when is going out for a very ordinary meal a present ?

Really you'd think he'd have had the sense to keep quiet about his lack of generosity.

[thenightsky]

He sounds like an arse.

He should have asked her where she wanted to eat.