To ask what/how much you take if visiting a friend?

[Merryoldgoat]

I’ve been brought up (like most people) to never go visiting with my ‘arms swinging’ but I’m never sure if daytime etiquette.

Evening I take a minimum of wine, sometimes flowers and food type treats too depending on what’s going on.

But I’m never sure daytime.

A friend has invited me for coffee tomorrow morning. I’ve made her baby grandson A blanket as a gift which I’ll take (they are very nice blankets - people pay money for them - not tat).

Is that enough? Flowers too? Or something else?

Nah you’re good, it’s just coffee.
Pack of Jaffas at the most.

I always chuck a few packets of posher than normal biscuits in the trolley to take when daytime visiting.
I'm sure the blanket is lovely, but that's an anomoly as you've probably done that because you're a lovely friend, not related to the coffee.

I probably wouldn't take anything if I was just going for coffee. Like PPs maybe some biscuits if it's someone I don't know that well, but otherwise I wouldn't take anything.

Blimey, if I bought flowers every time I had coffee with a friend, I'd need my own florist

I just bring a pack of biscuits or a couple of cakes and even that's only if they haven't bought anything special in.

I'd probably take nice biscuits, pastries or a cake to share.

@Darkestseasonofall

I always chuck a few packets of posher than normal biscuits in the trolley to take when daytime visiting. I'm sure the blanket is lovely, but that's an anomoly as you've probably done that because you're a lovely friend, not related to the coffee.

That biscuit idea is great (although I will eat the biscuits).

@Merryoldgoat that's the point, you get to have a share of the biscuits

I mean I’d buy them, put them in the cupboard and then eat them at home and have to buy more biscuits.

But still, more biscuits, so not too bad!!

Nice biscuits/cakes/baclava depending on who I have coffee with, maybe the dessert part of a meal if it's lunch or a nice sparkling soft drink. Fruit if they're dieting.

If it's extremely close friends and family I wouldn't take anything.

@raspberryk

Nice biscuits/cakes/baclava depending on who I have coffee with, maybe the dessert part of a meal if it's lunch or a nice sparkling soft drink. Fruit if they're dieting.

If it's extremely close friends and family I wouldn't take anything.

I read this and thought 'balaclava' what an odd thing to take 😂😂

It really depends on how close they are, and how often I see them.

Very close friends - nothing. As we see each other very often.

More distant friends- nice biscuits or a box of choc

Best friend - nothing but she's the same. We'd be skint if we took something every time!

However if she specifically said it was for tea or a meal then I'd take her flowers.

The blanket is a lovely idea.

For friends with children I take the children a packet of sweets everytime.

If it's just for a coffee then I don't take anything. I'd find it weird and so would they!

If they were hosting a party or more formal do then I'd take something to drink/eat.

I read 'balaclava' too!

Day time - nothing

Evening - depends, close friends usually nothing (they wouldn’t bring anything either), more distant friends a bottle of wine. Definitely no more than that.

I usually take some biscuits.

Cakes or something for adults and biscuits for any kids going. Sometimes.

Usually a nice cake or some cream cakes. Something for the kids, sweets or a little toy/activity.

Flowers/Wine/Chocolates for Dinner invitations.

I have to say more often than not, it’s not reciprocated! I was brought up similarly to you though.

I would not expect a friend coming round for coffee to bring anything at all.

Definitely turn up in a balaclava

@WorraLiberty

I read 'balaclava' too!

Yup, me too! I thought, "In August??"

I’d not expect anything if you were coming for a coffee at all and I’d think the blanket is a lovely touch! And I’m someone who tends to over gift at social gatherings.

I wouldn’t bring anything. I don’t like it when people bring stuff as it sets a precedent and then you’re forever trying to find a packet of nice biscuits to reciprocate. It all seems to formal and it gets expensive. And I can’t remember whether people are present-friends or no-present-friends.

The blanket sounds lovely.

Thank you all.

I’m also considering crocheting a balaclava ... 🤣🤣

Also, I never expect anything from people who come here - usually it’s school mums etc so we just come to mine after school drop off etc.

This is someone I don’t see that frequently so I just wasn’t sure.

It’s stupid really.

I think the blanket is enough.