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?

@VerticalHorizon

"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"

'She's doing what on the trees?'

😂😂😂

You are hosting people and dong know whether they are football supporters ? DH and I would both be happy to ignore the football. I know which of my friends and acquaintances would want to watch.

Maybe ask them ?

Why on earth has my post been deleted? is suggesting the OP ask her guests somehow against mumsnet guidelines now?!

frightfully sorry , i haven't read the whole thread but could i have the recipe for the warm spiced nuts please....my DP is awfully cold

Arson fire dipping sauce will certainly warm those nuts.

I can’t imagine being bothered to do a dinner party for two couples I didn’t even know!

@EastWestWhosBest

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.

That is supper. It's not posh at all, it's what it is, but people are free to call it what they like.

@CandyLeBonBon

Exactly! I remind dp whenever he uses it (his mother does) and tell him it's pretentious!

[quote CandyLeBonBon]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]][/quote]
That is just snobbery. We should just accept that different people use different names for meals. Some would call it their 'tea'! So what.

[quote motogogo]@CandyLeBonBon

Exactly! I remind dp whenever he uses it (his mother does) and tell him it's pretentious! [/quote]
My ex used to like using the word supper as he thought it made him sound more impressive and worldly.

It didn't!

I don't understand why people think the op is winding us up. I'm not wound up. She seems quite reasonable to me.

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.

This level of detail cracked me up.

That is just snobbery. We should just accept that different people use different names for meals. Some would call it their 'tea'! So what.

Yes. It doesn’t make more or less sense to talk about tea. At least supper can’t be confused with a drink. In this sense it just means a less formal evening meal.

What are warm nuts?

Can I ask what the entree is?

I believe it’s roast pork with cheese and broccoli quiche

@Maggiesfarm - words have different meanings depending on upbringing, location, social situation etc. As you can see from that article, but the etymology of the various different words for mealtimes comes from a variety of sources but have become interchangeable over time (eg tea vs high tea).

If you've been raised with the word supper, then that's the word you use. If you use it where you would otherwise say dinner or tea, to appear 'posh' or gentrified, then it can sound a bit wanky but that's based on personal experience of my ex who liked to give the impression he came from a better breed of human than the rest of us, so that probably colours my interpretation!

@merrymouse the op's meal doesn't sound very informal!

@RJnomore1

I believe it’s roast pork with cheese and broccoli quiche

😂

I think those brought up to refer to a later evening meal as supper are free to do so.

Those that have adopted that term in later life... I'm wary of!

I was brought up to use 'supper' and I was pretty working class, but it was only used in the context of (say) a bit of toast, or crumpets before bedtime or similar. In that context, it wasn't in the least bit posh.

I have certain heard others use it in a more formal sense - to represent a similar concept of a late evening meal, but often in the context of a school dining or daily meal regime (a formal daily occurrence).

So for me it comes in two forms. 'Let's have a bit of supper before bed' and 'one shall convene for supper at 10:00pm" - said with a plum in gob.

@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 think it sounds super, thanks for lettIng me know.
Judging by your menu, your good humour on this thread and your concern to ensure that your guests wishes on the football are looked after I think you’re all in for a wonderful evening.

🎸 All we are saying... is give quiche a change!

• John Lemon

*chance dammit. Christ, my typing's gone to pot with all the Pims!

@merrymouse the op's meal doesn't sound very informal!

It’s all relative - however she seems happy for it to be eaten on laps in front of the tv, which for me is very much ‘supper’!

Warm spiced nuts😁