The Salad Bowl

[ThinkGlow]

DH and I have been invited to a BBQ by acquaintance-type friends next month. We're not close to them but hope to be, they're lovely. But we're quite different finance and upbringing wise (relevant). I'm Aldi, they're Harrods.

As I always would do, I've offered to bring wine/chocs and what I'd call a posh salad (feta/cous cous/pine nuts naice enough?!) and they said that'd be great.

Then I realised I couldn't possibly use the plastic 30p Wilkos mixing bowl that I usually use to house a salad. I'm pretty sure I'd spontaneous combust with shame offering my homemade salad in a plastic, battered and well used, bowl. So I've bought a posh one.

But what's the take-back etiquette?! I have zero knowledge of how to use a teaspoon correctly never mind what the correct/non-offensive way of taking back my salad bowl would be. But I do want to take it home. I spent too much on it to donate it to them

Do I take it back with whatever is left in it? Or sort of empty the contents for them?! How can this not be done awkwardly?!

Help.

Also, I want to see the bowl!

Ps if you like nice bowls that don't break the bank, I get mine from Tiger. Great price, nice bowls and really not expensive! I've got them for people as presets, too.

At the risk of sounding like a complete snob (and I'm not I promise), if I'm having a dinner party I really like all my tableware to match. I got some lovely bits in the sale at Sainsburys, and it all matches my kitchen perfectly so I'd much rather prefer someone brought a salad in tupperware to decant. My friends all know this, so it's not usually an issue, but when someone has brought something in a bowl, fancy or otherwise, I always make sure to have it washed and dried ready for them to take home when they leave, with leftovers in a tupperware tub if necessary.

I would take the salad in a lidded container to keep it fresh. Something that you’re happy to not have back. I have a stash of catering-size margarine tubs that are perfect for taking food to ‘dos’. Ice cream tubs would do instead.
The host can put it in a nice bowl if they want. Problem solved!

Is anyone else thinking of Derry Girls and the big bowl?

I usually leave stuff at the hosts house then pick it up at the next social event. If it’s empty before the end of the evening you can just grab it.

Take a bowl that you don’t mind not getting back.

Ancient plastic bowl is fine. Tupperware is better.
Dartington or Waterford is a bit much for a garden meal.

I'd quite like to see the bowl too, I have a fondness for nice tableware. I'll show you mine. Avocado for scale. Tis a huge bowl.

They won't care. But anyway, the correct thing to do is say 'Oh I hope you like it, would iit be easiest if I just pop round for my bowl tomorrow?'

Await reply

Nobody I have ever known has every expected to not get back/to be gifted a bowl when they've taken/been brought food.

If it empties while you're there, put it with your things to go home.

Your host will probably want to wash it up for you - let them, they don't want to steal your bowl!

If there is salad left at the end you can either tactically scrape it into another bowl/plate that you know is theirs, or offset it to the host - and either you or the host will naturally suggest they put it in a Tupperware.

Don't overthink it!

Genuinely posh people adhere to the rules of social etiquette, which is that all their guests should feel comfortable and welcome when they're hosting. So even if you commit some kind of heinous faux pas they'll be far too polite to mention it or draw attention to it. Personally, I would just pick the bowl up at the end of the occasion and say "Will you be able to use these leftovers up, or would you like me to take them away with me?" They'll probably tell you to take them, but if not you can then say "OK, do you have a Tupperware box or something I can pop them in?"

Salad looks nice in glass or cut glass! Go and look in charity shops. You can get lovely crystal or retro style bowls very cheaply. If you don’t get the bowl back it probably means they like it! Personally, I have always had bowls returned to me but if you are anxious then give the salad in something you don’t mind losing.

Let’s see a picture of this bowl you’re afraid they’ll nick! Ikea have huge (although plain) glass bowls for three quid.

@HalliesMam perfect! I'll say the BBQ caused it...

I would love to post a picture of the lovely bowl but what if the hosts or other guests are Mumsnetters?! I'd be mortified to be outed over the bowl.

Okay I think taking the salad in Tupperware might be the best idea. The host is known for her matching stunning decor so she might prefer that.

But I feel bad for the bowl! It'll be left out. I can't show it off

So busy applauding Hallies excellent plan, and admiring Mite’s lovely bowl that I failed to see the cat helping himself to the tuna/mayonnaise I was sorting for dinner

Take it is a sealed container. Tupperware is perfect. Nobody would expect a posh salad bowl when you’re travelling to the event.

Okay I think taking the salad in Tupperware might be the best idea

If you're going to do that, you could show us a pic of the bowl As no one else will be seeing it to out you.

Show us the bowl!

Now that the salad is going in tupperware... show us the bowl!

I’d do a flashing beacon -and if others are taking stuff to share at a BBQ then it will all be mix and match, it’s not a dinner party.
Or just ask the host.
Love to the new bowl.

'Does anyone want any more salad or shall I take it home for the compost pile?'

Take it in a bowl you don't want back. Much easier for the host.

Say please chuck the bowl.

I'd just take the old bowl.

You can hand over the salad bowl and say "hi, here's the salad, don't worry about the bowl, it was a super cheap one, 30p can you believe that?"

Sorted! And you have a lovely new bowl to boot!

Among my friends a ‘bring and share a salad or pudding’ to a BBQ is very normal. You get up to 10 different salads, it’s ace! I can take or leave the meat but someone else’s homemade coleslaw, couscous, etc is wonderful! No-one has 10 salad bowls so we eat it out of the dish it came in, be that tupperware, mixing bowls or supermarket picnic ware.

It’s best to take the (usually empty) dish hone with you or the host ends up with stacks of other people’s crockery to deal with/return. TBF, we’ve often left a car there to collect next day when sober, so have collected it then.

@Legomadx2 great minds