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?

This thread has got to be a wind up, surely?

Posh people call it supper unless it's very formal and in the dining room, from what I can work out. In the garden or kitchen table it's supper.

Exactly. I grew up posh. It was always supper if it was a single course meal, or there was pudding. Anything with courses or guests was dinner.

Warm spiced nuts.

@RubixRubicon

This thread has got to be a wind up, surely?

Yes, I have firmly believed this is a parody/joke account (although terribly unfunny when she's not chatting shit about being posh) ever since the bedroom photograph incident and the OP brazening it out instead of slinking off in shame at being caught out.

For the sake of clarity, "supper" is a digestive or a slice of toast and a glass of milk in your pyjamas just before bed.

It's not "crab, served on the terrace..." in the early evening.

As a football hater, I have in the past accepted invitations to homes and then, because there has been some unexpected football match, have had to sit in almost silence totally bored while people watched the game.

I'd be quite happy to stay at the table in a football free zone.

@Howshouldibehave

You need to move things much earlier so you’re starting on the warm spiced nuts at 5.30/6. Then you can do canapés or perhaps some cheese fondue at half time. Then Arctic roll or something for afters.

😂😂😂 Love this

‘Garden Supper’? Is your name Hyacinth Bucket?

People who hate football should be made to attend Garden Suppers!

Which animal will be donning the fairylights tonight? An alpaca, or perhaps a particularly submissive fox?

Your majesty!

Bloody hell. I'm going to a family get together later, we're having jacket spuds and cider

@joystir59

I would not come if you wouldn't let me watch the football match. I'm a woman.

Probably just as well you're not invited then! 😁😂😊

@Killing - that sounds worthy of a read!

@Waxonwaxoff0

Bloody hell. I'm going to a family get together later, we're having jacket spuds and cider

All family get togethers involve drink. Usually before you set off, as motivation!

@MMAMPWGHAP

You’ll be lucky if they all turn up unless you clarify what you‘ll be doing. Suspect right now there are 3/4 households having massive arguments.

This ^

Would that be classed as Dutch courage @VerticalHorizon?

This thread has been so much fun - and thanks to OP for being such a great sport.

Would it be awfully infra dig to ask for a link to the "bedroom photo" thread?

The etymology of the word 'supper'

It is not the main meal of the day as pp have clarified. Usually used when someone wishes to appear upper middle class. Often met with comparisons to fictional character and renowned social climber, Hyacinth Bucket.

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2012/aug/03/tea-with-grayson-perry-supper-dinner

Spot the MN newbies

@JesusInTheCabbageVan

I haven't served crab since I was trying to impress dinner party guests with a rather aspirationally pretentious starter (moulded into a ring) of crab, avocado and smoked salmon. My husband caught the tray getting out some wine and they ended up decorating the inside of our fridge in little manure-like splats. Worse still, we tried to scrape the larger blobs off to salvage them given they'd cost about £30. Never again.

Anyway, if I'd accepted a dinner invite for tonight, I would be hoping to watch the match if possible. It's almost impossible to avoid finding out the score if you record it. So another vote for early warm nuts, starter and main before the match starts. Also gives time for guests to have a spell in the loo to deal with the after effects of your crab sauce.

"Do we have to go, you know the football's on!"

"Yes, we've already accepted the invite!"

"Who the heck hosts a party when it's a huge game?"

"They didn't know it was going to happening!"

"Precisely! they don't even like football"

"Well, we've said we'll do, we can't back out now"

"They are your friends, not mine, they won't miss me"

"Yes, but I've said you're coming too"

"FFS, tell them I'm ill!"

"They'll know, they aren't completely stupid"

"Well, she's alright, but he is a bit thick"

"Stop it, they are nice"

"She wasn't that nice when she slagged off the state of our kitchen!"

"Alright, stop being grumpy because you can't watch football"

"I'm really not in the mood now, it's ONCE in a lifetime this"

"You said that last time"

"Don't get smart"

"You are NOT wearing that shirt"

"Why?"

"it's a football shirt, you look like an idiot"

"They won't mind"

"I mind"

"My phone's not charged"

"Does it need to be?"

"Yes, to watch the footy!"

"You can't sit and stare at your phone all night"

"Anyway, enough of football, she's doing entrees!"

"She's doing what on the trees?"

"Entrees!!!! - you know, fancy shit"

"Oh, so I'll be starved to death too"

And yes, I appreciate it's tongue in cheek...

@LemonRoses

Tombero - my soulmate, perhaps. IOW food is fantastic. Lucky you having it on your doorstep. Liz Earle nuts (thanks to the the thread) Bembridge crab served with an IOW tomato salsa made with Arson Fire dipping sauce. Fennel, lemon and garlic pork with a Gallybagger and Romesco tart and warm green been salad. Minghella Ice cream for affogato or Summer fruit cheescake sundaes IOW blue and soft, and Gallybagger with Quarr Abbey green tomato chutney.

Washed down with Adgestone's Something Blue, Rosemary's vineyard medium red or dry white and a bottle of Kinda Lingers to finish.

I have no idea what half of these are, but your dinner party sounds lovely. Arson fire dipping sauce is something that seems it could be right up my alley