'I can't even cook cheese on toast'

[NaughtyLittlePassport]

Prepared to be told IABU.
Having coffee with a relatively new friend, I said something about making Christmas dinner, she then said that she 'couldn't even make cheese on toast'. I was visibly gobsmacked and as it turns out she really can't cook anything!
She was really offended that I was so surprised, and told me she'd always been too busy to learn. I've offered to help her with some basics but she's ignored my message and cancelled our DS's playing together
To not drip feed I was really shocked, going 'what not even. ....' and questioning what her kids eat probably a bit too much.
But really, wouldn't you be shocked if a 40 year old couldn't cook anything at all?

But why ginger would anyone avoid a normal life skill? It's just silly

It's silly IN YOUR OPINION. Just like in some people's opinion, it's silly not to know how to drive.

But... if you can get through life without it and everyone is getting what they need, then who are you to say it's wrong or silly?

Not your circus, not your monkeys, eh?

But homemade soup doesn't fit with "can't cook" does it? I was talking about what my kids like to eat, not suggesting someone else did it.
Your suggestions were for someone who can't cook, but adding some frozen veg to it wouldn't have made it any more complex but would have made it a more nutritious meal.

Not much fun for kids who have to put up with a parent who can't share a basic skill with them!

I don't see it as someone who can't cook, just someone who's never been arsed or needed to learn. They most likely could if they actually wanted to.

I hate cooking. Avoid it as much as possible. Not arsed about food. Luckily my partner is a great cook.

Not much fun for kids who have to put up with a parent who can't share a basic skill with them!

Again, in your opinion. Who says they don't share a basic skill with them? Maybe they share other "basic skills" instead? Maybe the child spends time on Saturday with grandma while the parent is at work and grandma is showing the child how to cook. Who knows? The possibilities are endless.

Not everyone lives in a vacuum. Not everyone even has to live the way you feel they should ... and ... they are still just fine and their children even eat a healthy balanced diet! I know... sit down and rest while you ponder that one, if you need to.

Why, because I suggested adding actual vitamins/nutritional value to basic meals? Or because you didn't like people proving you wrong calling you out on your meal ideas? When that's exactly what you've spent the entire thread doing to other parents!

Yes and my point was that adding some veg to them wasn't hard but would have added nutritional value.
I don't understand why you don't grasp that?

Ginger your over dramatic responses kind of suggest you know you are talking crap. Many things are lifestyle choices like caravan versus package holiday. Being able to cook a basic meal should not be a choice, just a basic standard, like reading

Ginger is the one with over dramatic responses? aye, ok then

Ginger your over dramatic responses kind of suggest you know you are talking crap.

Oh my. "over dramatic" "talking crap"

Round one and already tapped. So sad.

That's, of course, IF they want to learn to cook...some don't. It's not a huge deal.

Oh ok I'm sorry, clearly chucking frozen veg into a pot of boiling water is stage 2 of cookery. Silly me.

Okay hypothetically DS comes home from school and has to practice a food tech assignment to make fajitas. It's fine for parent to say sorry pet Weatherspoons make our food see if they'll let you look in the kitchen??

So an omelette is easier than boiling veg? Navy, I have to conclude that you're just looking for an argument, since you went on and on about not providing basic, nutritious meals being poor parenting, yet suggested several basic meals with limited nutritional value, yet when challenged about it are still arguing your point. Good grief.

With the basic meals you suggested! Adding veg to them gives more nutritional value, which was the original argument about not providing "proper" meals. You suggested meals which weren't high in nutritional value, I suggested adding veg and you seem to be struggling with why that would be OK.

Okay hypothetically DS comes home from school and has to practice a food tech assignment to make fajitas. It's fine for parent to say sorry pet Weatherspoons make our food see if they'll let you look in the kitchen??

They likely have a kitchen in the home, wouldn't you think? Or are you assuming the kitchen has been made into a bedroom at this point?

There are tons of solutions for any with a bit of intelligence and creativity. Not even an issue.

Well if someone hasn't even made cheese on toast it is yes!

Why are people banging on about cheese on toast repeatedly? Is there some sort of law that everyone must cook this and eat it? No thanks. Not happening in our house.

oh Navy you are funny. I'm off now because I'm bored. But thanks for the best giggle I've had in a while.

I meant as in they might want some help, good point on intelligence there though......

I would be pretty gobsmacked too op, but probably would have tried to hide my shock. At least you apologised though.

Both me and dp can cook. I cook more because dp works shifts, but he enjoys cooking too. I don't believe that people 'can't cook'. Following a recipe isn't hard, most people could rustle up a basic spag Bol of cheese on toast with some guidance. It's more that some people won't cook. There's nothing wrong with that, but let's not confuse inability with reluctance.

I would find it hard to imagine how someone could never find themselves in a situation where they needed to cook throughout their entire lifetime. To me cooking is a basic life skill. But I guess we all live different lifestyles.