AIBU to want to eat out when on a trip/outing?

[CoffeeAndCakesAgain]

I sometimes go out with a friend , either day trips or sometimes overnight. We have similar interests so enjoy visiting museums, stately homes, nature reserves, garden centres etc.

As Summer approaches we tend to do more trips together but one issue that arises is that I love to eat out in nice cafes and restaurants and my friend thinks it's a waste of money and always wants to have a picnic instead. She's quite comfortable financially so it isn't an issue of money, she just thinks it's a waste of money.

I'm happy to compromise and have a picnic now and again but I don't want to do it all of the time plus she hates eating outdoors because of the insects so she always wants to eat in the car which does not have the same appeal.

I'm quite happy to buy lunch for her but she still constantly fusses about the waste of money when I do but to me I enjoy a really good coffee, cake and Or sandwich so much that it's worth it to me. So AIBU to want to eat out sometimes?

Sitting outside with fresh air, sunshine and a view while eating a picnic is lovely. No way I'm sitting in the car eating it though! For me, eating is an enjoyable part of the day and not just fuel.
I much prefer eating out and the places in all the garden centres near me are genuinely nice and price is OK too. It's not like you're asking to eat in Michelin stared restaurants every week!

I would find this irksome. I think it shows a meanness of spirit when someone so well off ,is so tight.
I would either go for short visits between meals,as someone else has said,or you go to lunch alone whilst she’s picnicking and meet up afterwards.
It isn’t fair that she gets her way all the time so if she won’t compromise,leave her to it whilst you enjoy a nice meal without the criticism.
If she berates you afterwards for how much you’d save making butties,tell her straight that it’s your choice,you enjoy it,it’s not affecting her ,but her whingeing is affecting you to the point where it’s spoiling your enjoyment.
She sounds a real pain and to be honest I’d probably see her less and enjoy solo outings.

I have a friend like that.
Berates me for wasting money buying something to eat instead of making a packed lunch. Apparently I could buy a loaf of bread from the supermarket and all the filling, and it would be cheaper and tastier too.

Never mind that I don't like supermarket bread or warm squashed salad sandwiches, and I'd rather spend the money on something delicious, and what I bought was £3 of my own money and the friend wasn't even with me.

YANBU. This reminds me of a time we went away camping with friends, & had to eat ham sandwiches for 3 days straight. I was dying to pop into one of the lovely local pubs but they were too frugal & ham sandwiches it was. I haven’t eaten one since.

I would have gone without them!

So why didn't you go to the pub?

Each to their own I guess. I'm with the friend, dislike eating out as it is usually mediocre at best, expensive and lots of places allow dogs now which is a yuk factor for us. Would rather take my own food and spend my money on better things.

Didn’t fancy doing it on my own!

Oh no 3 days of ham sandwiches sounds bad... I think some people forget that you mostly need stronger flavours when you eat outside. A ham sandwich might be OK for lunch indoors - but not for a picnic.