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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To bring a fizzy drink to a meal?

776 replies

mapofthechicks · 10/01/2023 19:40

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 Confused 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 Wink'

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?

OP posts:
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5
Ninnynonnynails · 10/01/2023 20:39

I would be a good host! Couldn't care less about lemonade etc. If that's what you drink. In fact I would ask in advance any allergies, dietery preferences, non drinker. Simple manners really.

Welpthereitis · 10/01/2023 20:39

Apparently it was so disgusting it’s now a running joke if I should bring alcohol or not 🤣🤣

Sparklingbrook · 10/01/2023 20:40

Feelallright · 10/01/2023 20:39

I don’t drink alcohol. Nor does DH. We wouldn’t drink any of those drinks and I wouldn’t want to be offered them. A still lemonade before a meal, not with it, might be nice, though. Not fizzy 7Up or Coke from a bottle or can. No one I know drinks those. Go to a pub if you want those.

Show quote history

😆

quinceh · 10/01/2023 20:40

I’ve not drunk alcohol for a while and usually take my own non-alc beers if invited for a meal. I wouldn’t expect someone else to provide them. So I don’t think you taking your lemonade was particularly odd.

saltofcelery · 10/01/2023 20:40

AnnieFarmer · 10/01/2023 19:53

The lemonade is fine. His mum subsequently mentioning it to her son and saying that she was ‘a bit ‘confused’ (as he phrased it)’ and ‘maybe don't do that again’ would bother me a whole lot more.

I thought the same thing. Very strange. I would have to pull him up on it.

OP, I don't drink alcohol and would do exactly the same as what you did.

They weren't bothered by the fact you hadn't brought wine for them (not sure why people are bringing that up as if it's the national payment for hosts), it was that you didn't want any and wanted to drink a soft drink. Absolutely bonkers.

Welpthereitis · 10/01/2023 20:41

Sorry my last comment was for @Cuwins

Original poster
mapofthechicks · 10/01/2023 20:41

Aquarius1234 · 10/01/2023 20:32

Why didn't you just have tap water?
It's odd that glasses of water were not provided also tho.
I probably would have seen how it was 1st time and brought lemonade or coke next time.

I don't want water with my meal?

OP posts:
toocold54 · 10/01/2023 20:41

7 up is quite working class, particularly in a 2 liter bottle.
M&S have some nice soft drinks in glass bottles, these would be a bit more presentable

🤣🤣🤣

Feelallright · 10/01/2023 20:41

Obviously, as a host, the parents should have just done everything graciously to accommodate you. But the 7Up is a faux pas.

ChateauxNeufDePoop · 10/01/2023 20:42

Feelallright · 10/01/2023 20:39

I don’t drink alcohol. Nor does DH. We wouldn’t drink any of those drinks and I wouldn’t want to be offered them. A still lemonade before a meal, not with it, might be nice, though. Not fizzy 7Up or Coke from a bottle or can. No one I know drinks those. Go to a pub if you want those.

Show quote history

But people eat in pubs too. OP wanted some lemonade. Would anyone have batted an eyelid if she was hosting, served some nice wine but had a soft drink herself? It's nothing to do with what you'd prefer or not. OP drinks 7 up with her food - not world ending.

Sparklingbrook · 10/01/2023 20:42

Getting ready for this in the Daily Mail. They'll love it! Or maybe Loose Women. I can't see Janet Street Porter thinking this is ok. 😁

JudgeRudy · 10/01/2023 20:43

I like that. Disarm them with charm (or well disguised sarcasm).

Roseelane · 10/01/2023 20:43

Oh lordy all we have is alcohol or tea, coffee, or water Shock or tonic water I suppose! I'd be quite surprised if someone turned up for dinner with 7 up but wouldn't be rude enough to make them aware of it.

FluffyYucca · 10/01/2023 20:43

RachelGreep87 · 10/01/2023 20:36

7 up is quite working class, particularly in a 2 liter bottle.
M&S have some nice soft drinks in glass bottles, these would be a bit more presentable.

And the problem with something being working class is…?

(I don’t agree that it is, btw - but just interested why it would be an issue if it was)

KickHimInTheCrotch · 10/01/2023 20:43

Headabovetheparakeet · 10/01/2023 20:32

And presumably, if you take someone to your parents' house you would explain this them beforehand to prevent awkwardness?

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Yes, if the need arose, I would. So in this scenario it is the boyfriend who is unreasonable for not giving OP some idea about what to expect from dinner at the inlaws in advance.

Original poster
mapofthechicks · 10/01/2023 20:44

RachelGreep87 · 10/01/2023 20:36

7 up is quite working class, particularly in a 2 liter bottle.
M&S have some nice soft drinks in glass bottles, these would be a bit more presentable.

It's my boyfriends family, who all being well, I would want to grow close to. Why on earth are any airs and graces needed to such an extreme that you can't enjoy a glass of fizzy just because that makes you happy and you Randy it?! They are bloody working class. Ridiculous to pretend otherwise!

OP posts:
ChardonnaysBeastlyCat · 10/01/2023 20:44

ChateauxNeufDePoop · 10/01/2023 20:38

You've just described a fair few sparkling wines and cocktails with that as well as all the modern fruity gins. Not all lemonade is strong either, just seems such a non issue for someone to take their own soft drink.

Show quote history

I wouldn't have a cocktail or gin with my food, or a sweet sparkling wine.

ChateauxNeufDePoop · 10/01/2023 20:44

Feelallright · 10/01/2023 20:41

Obviously, as a host, the parents should have just done everything graciously to accommodate you. But the 7Up is a faux pas.

No it's not, it's just a drink in someone's house. If anything shouldn't the hosts have enquired in advance what OP would like to drink, I'm guessing they knew she wasn't staying over so there was a possibility she was driving. Then they could have bought some Fentimans or something like that.

ChateauxNeufDePoop · 10/01/2023 20:45

ChardonnaysBeastlyCat · 10/01/2023 20:44

I wouldn't have a cocktail or gin with my food, or a sweet sparkling wine.

Show quote history

So? Some might.

Sparklingbrook · 10/01/2023 20:45

I am wondering if the BF's Mum is on MN, and how an AIBU about someone bringing their own fizzy drink to a meal would go down.

saltofcelery · 10/01/2023 20:46

Shoxfordian · 10/01/2023 20:03

It’s a bit weird to bring a bottle of lemonade tbh; why didn’t you just have a small wine to be sociable or drink water if not? It was your first time there too

No one should drink "to be sociable".

Eyerollcentral · 10/01/2023 20:46

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MissHavishamsMouldyOldCake · 10/01/2023 20:46

FluffyYucca · 10/01/2023 20:43

And the problem with something being working class is…?

(I don’t agree that it is, btw - but just interested why it would be an issue if it was)

Show quote history

Because she was visiting his nouveau riche parents in Billericay and they didn't like being reminded of those dark days when they were poor as church mice and supping 7UP in Poplar.

ChardonnaysBeastlyCat · 10/01/2023 20:46

I don't know, if I'd spent time and care cooking something, and then someone drowned it in 7Up, then they won't be invited again.

But, each to their own.

ExtraOnions · 10/01/2023 20:46

A bottle of 7up is like something you would bring for a child to drink.

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