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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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

756 replies

LemonRoses · 03/07/2021 10:12

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?

OP posts:
ClosdesMouches · 03/07/2021 11:37

[quote Fiddliestofsticks]@ClosdesMouches

How is that comment funny? It's wrong. And entree is the main course, not the starter. The OP used the words correctly. Planesmistakenforstars did not.[/quote]
www.thespruceeats.com/tips-for-entrees-995660

dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/entree

Worried234 · 03/07/2021 11:37

Wind up.

Blankspace4 · 03/07/2021 11:38

OP, are you American?

I actually think your intentions are lovely but the U.K. is very different from the US when it comes to customs and manners (and the football!!)

I agree - start at 6 so the meal will be finished by 8 and guests can watch the football at your house or go home for it.

MotherofTerriers · 03/07/2021 11:38

I think you could do starter and main before the match starts then pudding at half time

Planesmistakenforstars · 03/07/2021 11:39

How is that comment funny? It's wrong. And entree is the main course, not the starter. The OP used the words correctly.

The entree is synonymous with the starter, hors d'oeuvre, appetizer. It's not the main course anywhere except the US and Canada.

bargelights · 03/07/2021 11:39

The OP is not American. Perish the thought!

SecretSpAD · 03/07/2021 11:40

suggest those that wish cut their food at table and then eat of their knees with a fork whilst watching the television

Don't most people take a knife and fork and eat on a tray (or balanced on a cushion)

DareDevil223 · 03/07/2021 11:40

I'm astonished that the person who pops up on every thread that even vaguely mentions matters of etiquette, feels the need to ask advice from the hoi polloi. We are not worthy.... Grin

FairNotFair · 03/07/2021 11:41

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

SecretSpAD · 03/07/2021 11:41

Oh and if it was me I'd ignore the fact that there was a football match on and have my dinner party as planned without interruption. If the men want to watch football, they stay at home.

RedToothBrush · 03/07/2021 11:42

@FairNotFair

If I ever have to explain the essence of MN to an alien, I will show them this thread
Hahahaha SPOT ON!
3catsandcounting · 03/07/2021 11:43

Ooh, the Liz Earle recipe sounds lovely!
I’m so making mixed hot nuts tonight (whilst watching footie)

VerticalHorizon · 03/07/2021 11:43

@SecretSpAD

Oh and if it was me I'd ignore the fact that there was a football match on and have my dinner party as planned without interruption. If the men want to watch football, they stay at home.
Bit of a presumption there won't be any women wanting to watch!

Booooooo!

DaphneDeloresMoorhead · 03/07/2021 11:43

Maybe your male guests will have no interest whatsoever in the football. We are going out for dinner as Dh has less than no interest and I know many such men

Wishimaywishimight · 03/07/2021 11:44

Is it just the nuts that will be warm and spiced or the olives too? What's for dessert? Not entirely relevant obviously...

Changemaname1 · 03/07/2021 11:45

Is this even real ? 😂😂

Sod the football I want to come for the dinner sounds glorious to a peasant like myself

VerticalHorizon · 03/07/2021 11:45

I am going to attend SecretSpAD's garden party in full England kit and mention the vet in her shell-like ear.

luckylavender · 03/07/2021 11:45

@LemonRoses -it's not the World Cup & it's not the final. You sound quite precious & a little condescending.

RealhousewifeofStoke · 03/07/2021 11:46

@Wishimaywishimight

Is it just the nuts that will be warm and spiced or the olives too? What's for dessert? Not entirely relevant obviously...
We’ve already established it’s arctic roll.
RealhousewifeofStoke · 03/07/2021 11:46

[quote luckylavender]@LemonRoses -it's not the World Cup & it's not the final. You sound quite precious & a little condescending. [/quote]
Grin

VerticalHorizon · 03/07/2021 11:47

Can we at least observe the Nation Anthem before dinner is served?

A little decorum goes a long way!

MachiaNelly · 03/07/2021 11:48

An entree is a starter

An entree is a main course

ShirleyPhallus · 03/07/2021 11:48

Love this thread. Particularly the horror of having people over IN THE MIDDLE OF A PANDEMIC!!

Aren’t we rather at the end of the pandemic now? Or should everyone be sitting at home wringing their hands over germs and bleaching their groceries still?

RichardMarxisinnocent · 03/07/2021 11:48

@SecretSpAD

suggest those that wish cut their food at table and then eat of their knees with a fork whilst watching the television

Don't most people take a knife and fork and eat on a tray (or balanced on a cushion)

That's what I thought. It would seem much easier to just take both knife and fork to eat off a tray or cushion while sitting on the sofa.
Justasecondnow · 03/07/2021 11:49

Send the email - offer an early start or option for those that want to to eat on their knees. Shame for you your dinner party has fallen on football match but it’s a nice thing to do to accommodate the football obsessives (a lot of them around at the moment!).

You never know you might get lucky if they are not fussed about footy.