To bring a fizzy drink to a meal?

[mapofthechicks]

So, I visited my boyfriend's family for the first time on Sunday

His mum cooked for us all. Lovely meal. When I arrived, I came with a bottle of lemonade. I said this to his mum ''I've got this, can I pop it in the fridge? Please help yourselves''

When having dinner, I asked for a glass (there were only small wine glasses on the table).

His mum said 'but we're having wine?'

I said no thanks, I'll just have some of the lemonade please'

She seemed really at me!

We had a nice meal and then my boyfriend mentioned to me today 'Mum was really confused about your lemonade! Maybe don't do that next time '

AIBU to think it's fine? It wasn't just for me. Anyone could've helped themselves but it was so strange. It was as if I had placed 10g of coke on the table and told everyone to help themselves to a line

Very odd indeed surely?

I take they're not used to non drinkers. I'd of done the same op.

Did have a giggle at the coke comment. I can just imagine their faces.

Why didn't the boyfriend pick up that before that Mum would get so very confused about a bottle of lemonade? He has know his Mum for quite a long time so he knows what she's like (stuck up).

He could have suggested they got a bottle of wine if OP wasn't used to first meetings being a proper dinner party. I also really hope OP was dressed up to Mum's expectations.

@Sparklingbrook

I don't actually expect to see the wine I take at the meal at all, the hosts usually have that covered

I always have (vast quantities of) wine in for a dinner party, which I've selected to match the food, but a mate of mine works in the wine trade and often brings a fantastic bottle of fizz or similar, of a value / quality / rarity far beyond what I could normally afford.

We'll open that and share it before dinner (but most of my mates do really like wine and it's a fun shared experience).

why should she explain confidential medical information?

That’s great. But most people don’t have mates in the wine trade to do impromptu tastings.

@phoenixrosehere you said about cordials as being used for alcohol mixers. But in Anne of Green Gables they get very very drunk by getting the wine and the cordial mixed up 🤣
I think of cordial as 'posh' squash.

OP said their signature alcoholic drink is Blue WKD so they do drink alcohol. 🤷‍♀️

Say there will be no next time… way too controlling.

Only greedy Diana Barry got pie-eyed. Anne was too busy being an exemplary hostess to partake

I personally wouldn't take a bottle of lemonade with me for the first time I'd be meeting my partner's parents.
I would have just had water with my dinner.

Fair enough then. But I think the rules are that if you drink Blue WKD you have to snog three people you shouldn't and start two fights. So maybe it's just as well she took 7UP.

It's a bit weird to not at least have a glass of wine when meeting a partner's family for the first time and cooking you a meal.

I think it’s weird and old-fashioned to assume that everyone drinks alcohol and that everyone likes wine. And reflects an unhealthy attitude towards alcohol ie socialising cannot happen without wine.

Isn’t Blue WKD pretty much a fizzy pop with a bit of alcohol?

It has less alcohol than an average beer.

Your relationship with alcohol is unhealthy.

I hate drink during the day and have absolutely max a mini bottle of Prosecco a week, not everyone drinks or drinks very much.

Totally fine. Who cares what someone has to drink with a meal. All those commenting that they'd think less of someone 🙄

Also those saying that it's a class issue- I went to a v naice boarding school, we never had this as a 'rule'. Neither did any of my friends parents when we ate with them.

It really is not the done thing.
There are many many reasons why people might not want to drink wine.
They're an alcoholic, they're pregnant, they don't like wine, they don't like alcohol, they are driving, they don't want to get tipsy, they don't want the after effects, they just don't want to. Whichever reason it is is nobody else's business!
Expecting people to drink alcohol for social reasons is bizarre.
Nobody is rude for refusing to have a glass of wine, FFS.

Ffs did people learn nothing from Zammo? Just say no.

Even a small glass of wine could have an effect on a non drinker. Won't improve the situation!

No, I agree, I was just saying it's not a hard and fast rule.

I wonder what the new ‘done gift’ will be now that the younger generations are drinking less and less and avoiding sugar🤔

When I go to my teetotal friend's house for dinner I take very good quality dark chocolate as a gift - which is low in sugar.

I'm also not convinced that young people are avoiding sugar.... isn't it the young folk who are drinking bubble tea and 'freakshakes'? Both usually obscenely sweet.

@Iwantmyoldnameback

Not an Hon and not quoted U or non-U, but my God, Yes! That's like my absolute fantasy dinner party invite, although I wouldn't mind if Unity was too busy to attend that night.

But more than 7UP 🤷‍♀️