Garden supper this evening. Would it be reasonable to suggest that guests might leave the table for the football?

[LemonRoses]

We have a ten people arriving for supper this evening. We plan to eat on the terrace, with a 7pm start to catch the last of any sunshine. Clearly if they arrive at 7.15, have drinks and warm spiced nuts/olives then sit down to a starter of crab, we’re not going to be serving the entree until well past 8pm.

I don’t know two of the couples. My guess would be that three, maybe four, of the men would want to see the match. I don’t think most of the women would be particularly interested.

My problem is I wasn’t aware there was a football match this evening and I rather suspect some guests will want to see it.

Do we;

• open the doors so people can pop in and out?
• suggest those that wish cut their food at table and then eat of their knees with a fork whilst watching the television?
• suggest we watch together later?
• not mention to football and hope nobody else does?
• arrange regular update messages from someone who is watching?

If a match is at 8pm, what time will it finish? Should we defer eating until after the match but add in more substantial canapés?

I missed the punchline

Which Jilly Cooper book is this about?

Supper on the terrace

Well OP, what a dilemma. I think I would probably send the butler up to Lady de Vere and ask to borrow the big screen she uses when she hosts that nice summer opera festival, so you can show your guests the football in the garden.

(Never knew that Americans use ‘entree’ incorrectly. Another infelicity from our cousins across the pond to add to the long and growing list).

@Shoxfordian

I would just ignore it, people should be able to come to your dinner party and watch it tomorrow if they’re interested

Not a football fan evidently.

@FairNotFair

If I ever have to explain the essence of MN to an alien, I will show them this thread

😂😂😂 This thread is so fucking weird...

It’s not a supper though is it?
Not if it had several courses.

Supper is a simple evening meal. Usually the last meal before bed. It can be your main meal or something small like cheese and crackers. However something with course like this would be dinner.

Do you happen to have an Aga op?

I would probably just phone kebabs in , best get e yea sauce I case they want to dook their chips

I fear your plans will either be covid none compliant with multiple households entering your house..The idea you are going to be having a nice garden meal in the sunshine doesn't look great given the weather

The amount of posters who simply cannot comprehend that an OP may not be in England is astounding.

@EastWestWhosBest

It’s not a supper though is it? Not if it had several courses.

Supper is a simple evening meal. Usually the last meal before bed. It can be your main meal or something small like cheese and crackers. However something with course like this would be dinner.

No dear, that's just your definition of it.

Supper is another word for an evening meal, and has been for a very long time.

I do enjoy warming the odd nut now and again

Can you not just eat a bit earlier?
It only starts at 8

@CallMeNutribullet

Do you happen to have an Aga op?

Do you really need to ask?

I wouldn't have plates on laps while watching the game, if they score, people will jump up in excitement and throw food all over your lounge

@EastWestWhosBest

It’s not a supper though is it? Not if it had several courses.

Supper is a simple evening meal. Usually the last meal before bed. It can be your main meal or something small like cheese and crackers. However something with course like this would be dinner.

Nope. Posh people (and people who like to think they’re posh, or aspire to be) use it for their evening meal.

Will you be serving orange segments at half time?

It might also be prudent to offer a Pukka Pie to enhance the atmosphere. Red, white or blue plastic forks would be a classy touch

We put all delicate glasses and phones out of harms way. My own dp once broke their foot celebrating a very astonishing England goal in the 90s. I will be eating prior to and only bowls of snacks thing at risk of upset should, no when, we score.

Suspect right now there are 3/4 households having massive arguments.

This

@claralara42

I fear your plans will either be covid none compliant with multiple households entering your house..The idea you are going to be having a nice garden meal in the sunshine doesn't look great given the weather

The amount of posters who simply cannot comprehend that an OP may not be in England is astounding.

I asked that way back at the beginning. @LemonRoses declined to answer but having looked at her other posts she’s most likely somewhere in the Home Counties, has children, a house keeper, a red setter and a holiday cottage/second home.

She could be staying at her second home although that is also in the uk.

She could be hyacinth or she could be sarah vine- have a pre divorce supper!

Regardless the Covid restrictions apply to her....... and her roasted nuts!

There are some grammar mistakes in the post, OP is English not your first language? Are you outside the UK?

I recommend purchasing “it’s coming home” bucket hats for all of your guests and present them on arrival.
Also- face painting!!

Offer the nuts and olives later in the evening as a one off

I think they should eat their crabs on their laps during the match.

My guess would be that three, maybe four, of the men would want to see the match. I don’t think most of the women would be particularly interested.

I think YABU for the sexist assumption the women won't watch to watch the match.

I would just ignore it, people should be able to come to your dinner party and watch it tomorrow if they’re interested

You're joking right?!

OP, suggest you check with your guests ASAP how many people would watch the football else you don't know what you are dealing with.

Do people who have "supper" watch football?