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?

Arctic roll! Get off. This is posh food, the nuts have been warmed in the nut warmer ffs. I reckon they will be having viennetta

I'd cancel, people are obsessed with football and don't assume the women won't want to watch it.

I assume people said yes to the invitation because they didn't know that England would get through or that the match would be this evening if they did.

Did ye, aye.

As someone who doesn’t like football, I’d rather there were two areas. One for the football and one for non football. If there’s a screen where everyone’s sitting the football fans will end up dominating and it would be harder to chat. People would keep being distracted by what’s on TV.

Re the weather. I’m in London and it’s meant to be dry and warm from lunchtime onwards so fine to sit outdoors.

@RosieLemonade

Hope you don't get any crumbs on your floor if people eat in the lounge

I suggest you fling open the French doors to the western terrace and allow the peacocks in to deal with crumbs. And, incidentally, any spilled nuts, the peacocks won’t mind if the nuts have reverted to being cold.

Can the men not just watch the footie in the cinema room during this time you ladies could have a game of croquet on the lawn?

Actually it sounds potentially lovely. A lot of people follow the football keenly and would like to watch it with likeminded people but don’t necessarily fancy the full on experience of watching it at pub. With ten people there should be enough for a group who aren’t that interested to sit and chat about other stuff in another room (or in the garden if dry (good luck with that)) and the others to watch the TV.

@JingsMahBucket

Jesus. The inverted snobbery on this thread is embarrassing to read.

I take it you've not come across the OP before

This thread has just led me to google whether Patricia Routledge is still alive.

(She is.)

@JingsMahBucket

Jesus. The inverted snobbery on this thread is embarrassing to read.

The OP’s getting a ribbing because she trotted out so many stereotypes.

Also the detail.

I think if someone had explained they were going to heat Iceland mini sausage rolls, in the context of the actual question people would still have laughed at the unnecessary detail.

Cherry Pavlova for dessert?

If the football starts at 8, I’d suggest that people come at 6.30, so you can have a drink and maybe the starter before 8. Then you could allow those who wish to to eat their main course in front of the football, while those who aren’t interested can eat and chat as normal. Then you can serve pudding/cheese/coffee when it’s finished, all together at the table?

Are you RS Archer?

@RosieLemonade

Cherry Pavlova for dessert?

Nah, it'll be a caterpillar cake.

Record the match

Seriously??!

@RosieLemonade

Cherry Pavlova for dessert?

Nah, Black Forest gateau and squirty cream.

@Hestartedoffsowell

Record the match

Seriously??!

Then pop a post on Insta asking the chaps not to post any details of the score as a spoiler

Why are you only serving crab and then another entree? Are you not even serving a main course?

Can’t abide peacocks.

@RosieLemonade

Cherry Pavlova for dessert?

Wink wink emoticon.

Inverted snobbery? Nope, it’s just plain old-fashioned snobbery (English variety).

I love Black Forest gateau but follow PP’s excellent suggestion of Ukrainian food earlier, I think I’m actually going to make Сметанник today 😋 (I know that’s in Russian not Ukrainian)

Summerfruit cheesecake sundae or affogato.

Our football party has had to be delayed as Test and Trace have told me to isolate for five days. Just hope we get through to Wednesday, to do it then!

The joke is I have the app - had the contact volunteering at a vaccination centre. Everyone else there didn't have the app, so is fine!

Missing the point here, but Brazil nuts, pecans, almonds, and cashews flash-fried in a wok in butter and cayenne pepper and maple syrup are fab! 😬