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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

"treats" - really cringey?

227 replies

Poppyismyfavourite · 21/07/2020 09:58

AIBU to find the word "treats" really cringey??

As in "oh I'm on a diet so limiting the amount of treats I eat" or "I brought some treats for the kids"...

In my mind it just really doesn't mean human food at all, it conjures up images of people knawing on a pedigree dentastix... or those disgusting meat sticks that the cats like...

*LIGHTHEARTED (obviously)! Yes I know I have too much time on my hands, but I'm still WFH and a bit bored...

OP posts:
Mrsjayy · 21/07/2020 10:02

Hate it even the word treats is annoying ,

heynori · 21/07/2020 10:05

What am I supposed to say to my DC instead of "treat"?

shemadeit · 21/07/2020 10:06

What’s the alternative?

Goodies? 🤮

Mrsjayy · 21/07/2020 10:06

Would you like a biscuit or some ice cream or whatever

Original poster
Poppyismyfavourite · 21/07/2020 10:06

Can't you just say the specific thing?
E.g. "eat all your dinner and you can have some sweets"?
or "my work colleague brought in cake"?

OP posts:
Mrsjayy · 21/07/2020 10:08

Oh you know what's worse I'm having cake I'm so naughty, no you are not you are having cake it's fine!

user1493494961 · 21/07/2020 10:08

I hate the word 'snacks'.

Calic0 · 21/07/2020 10:08

I don’t mind the word “treats” so much, but the word “snack” makes my teeth itch for some reason. I HATE it. I do not know why.

Mind you, when people refer to chocolate as “choc” it makes me want to throw things. I might have issues...Confused

Calic0 · 21/07/2020 10:09

@user1493494961

I hate the word 'snacks'.
Yay, not just me!
Mrsjayy · 21/07/2020 10:10

Oh god snacks Angry I wonder why these words annoys us so much

LolaSmiles · 21/07/2020 10:10

I do agree with you, depending on what it's for.
So going to the beach as a treat would be fine for me, or someone doing something occasional as a treat doesn't bother me, but framing anything nice as a treat winds me up.
Eg. Ooh I got myself this new top as a treat... I treated myself to a new pair of shoes... Eeeeh can't have that slice of cake, oh go on it's a treat... Treat yourself.

It sounds like grown adults are trying to justify their spending/eating habits by reframing them as treats and it annoys me. Have a slice of cake because it looks lovely and you'll enjoy it. It's not a treat because Sandra from accounts blocked the printer so your day has been so definitely Uber stressful.
If you don't need a pair of shoes but like them and can afford them, buy them because they're nice and you want them. Don't make a deal about how it's a treat because you deserve it.

Original poster
Poppyismyfavourite · 21/07/2020 10:12

weirdly (and very strange to be thinking about this) I think "snack" (singular) doesn't bother me but "snacks" (plural) seems very American...

eg "I was hungry so had a snack" - fine
"I brought snacks for the kids" - annoying

OP posts:
TeapotCollection · 21/07/2020 10:13

Treat doesn’t bother me but another vote for snack!

Original poster
Poppyismyfavourite · 21/07/2020 10:13

This is also making me think of "treat yo'self" from Parks and Recreation...

OP posts:
rowrowrowyaboat · 21/07/2020 10:13

Adults who use the word 'snack/s) make me inwardly cringe! Think its because i associate the word with toddlers Grin

mrsBtheparker · 21/07/2020 10:15

I hate the word 'snacks'.

Me too, until my first grandchild was born I'd never heard it used as it is now, if my children had something between meals it was never referred to as a snack. A snack was something more substantial than a banana etc., it was a light meal, a sandwich maybe, that one had if not hungry enough for a full meal.

Original poster
Poppyismyfavourite · 21/07/2020 10:16

@rowrowrowyaboat I agree a "snack" is a toddler thing...

and I guess to me a "treat" is an animal thing!

OP posts:
DollyDoneMore · 21/07/2020 10:16

Who is old enough to remember when (Galaxy) Minstrels were called Treats?

IndieTara · 21/07/2020 10:16

Also hate treat but more in the context of 'I'll treat you'. Sounds so condescending to me.

DollyDoneMore · 21/07/2020 10:19

@mrsBtheparker

I hate the word 'snacks'.

Me too, until my first grandchild was born I'd never heard it used as it is now, if my children had something between meals it was never referred to as a snack. A snack was something more substantial than a banana etc., it was a light meal, a sandwich maybe, that one had if not hungry enough for a full meal.

It amazes me when people have what I would consider a full, if light, meal, like a sandwich or cheese on toast, and call it a snack! Or people have “a snack” from McDonalds or KFC. A snack? That’s dinner!
ChikiTIKI · 21/07/2020 10:19

A treat doesn't have to be food though.

rawlikesushi · 21/07/2020 10:19

You're all weird.

A snack is a light bite between meals.

A treat, in any capacity, outing or purchase or food, is a lovely reward or something special to enjoy.

I don't use either word with pets - they just get fed a range of different food items.

welldonesquirrels · 21/07/2020 10:19

There's something about it that makes me feel a bit melancholy.

I used to emotionally eat as a child and the word "treats" to me has this personal connotation of being sad and chubby and desperately trying to cheer myself up with cake.

Watermelontea · 21/07/2020 10:19

Spoiling and splurge make me feel irrationally annoyed.

As in ‘Ohhhh I know it’s a lot but I’m spoiling myself!’ Or ‘I splurged out on this Michael Kors bag!’
Spoiling makes me feel uncomfortable for some odd reason, and splurge makes me think of ejaculating. Strange, I know.

Mrsjayy · 21/07/2020 10:21

No treats were chocolate peanuts and I think you got toffee ones too,

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