To think my friend was really rude?

[Tiamaria86]

We have come for a week away in a caravan with the kids. My friend and her family booked the same week so we will spend some time with them but not all the time.

We arrived and typically its pouring down. She has just knocked on the door to ask if we want to order takeaway with them. I said oh the kids are just eating some bacon rib, potato and cabbage soup I brought with us (they love this, always request it).

She laughed her head off and asked why I've brought food like that with me. I said I've brought a big lasagne, beef stew and a chicken curry that I made as well. We will get fish and chips etc one night and maybe eat out but I thought it was just better to be prepared. She thinks I'm nuts and really made fun of me.

We've just bought a house and money is a bit tight to be honest so I did want to keep costs down and not waste money on crappy food when possible. I feel a bit embarrassed now though like I'm a tight arse!

yes, it does sound good. Could you post the recipe?

You sound organised and your friend needs to be less judgemental. Home made food is so much better than a takeaway, who wants takeaway every night of the week anyway, stops being a treat pretty quick.

Do you have a fridge freezer in your caravan then?

I never cook on holidays and wouldn't cook stuff to bring either, but if someone else does I wouldn't be rude about it. I would be a bit agog at Cabbage soup though if I am honest but then I hate the stuff.

@Tiamaria86 I'd never take pre-cooked food away as I'd worry about keeping it fresh.
But she was otherwise rude.

Now Baked goods......Those are easy to bring and store well.

Lovely! Don't blame you for wanting to save money on take aways- they are extortionate. {And usually very greasy}

She was a bit rude. Good for you OP, so nice to know that you have decent food that everyone will enjoy.

We have just been on a weekend away in a caravan and I cooked all three nights, I do this on any British holiday as pub food is expensive for 4 people and usually a bit rubbish.
My mum used to also do this when I was a kid so I do think it’s a normal thing to do.
My sister would have the same reaction as your friend and I would find it rude.

Yanbu. Very sensible to bring your own nutritious food to go alongside the odd meal out/takeaway - you’d feel gross by the end of the week if you’d had pizza, fish and chips etc etc every night, not to mention a waste of money. Don’t feel bad, the only person who should be embarrassed is your friend.

You sound very organised. Take the ribbing about the rib soup as a compliment. It does sound a bit like Cabbage Water Soup from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, but I am sure it's delicious as you say!

I always aim to take at least a couple of meals, I make in advance and take them frozen, unless Ive been there before and know there are decent places to eat. Who wants to go on holiday and eat junk food. Especially as so many places disappeared in Covid times.

This sounds delicious, much better than a take away. Your 'friend,' must be jealous

I've never heard of them up here and thought they were American.
Are they like 'spare ribs' you have within pea soup 😋

She was rude but I know for a lot of my friends, holiday = break from cooking. They really really truly hate it and could not imagine cooking on holiday. So her response was a bit over the top because of that and she probably didn't mean to offend you.

Actually, now I think about it, my mum was like that too. But that's because my dad never lifted a finger at home so she flat out refused to cook on holiday.

DH and I on the other hand get really sick of heavy restaurant food quickly and we prefer to cook a bit too. So I totally get your setup. It's not just about budget, your meals sound lovely!

OP, you sound sensible and organised. I don’t get how your friend is planning the week’s food. Takeaway every meal? That would be outrageously expensive. Kids also want all kinds of treats all week long and shops in and near caravan parks purposely increase the costs.

So those posters that say it’s miserable etc., maybe they have tons of $s but taking into account the cost of all meals of the day including snacks, for a week for adults and children, would be a crazy high cost.

I think you nailed it!

This. Your food sounds much nicer than takeaways every night, and your friend was very rude.

Enjoy your lovely food and leave her to her junk food.

Cosy and warm food will win anytime versus takeaway (having to pick up or wait ages for delivery), in the pouring rain.

The meals sound delicious and well-thought out. Your friend is jealous.

Same here. It was one of my favourite meals. My mum always put whole onions in with the ribs and we had jacket potatoes the flour kind plus cabbage with it. Those boiled onions were delicious. Haven't had boiled ribs in years. Dh and I were in Dublin a few years ago and passing a butchers shop saw some in the window and I regret not buying some.

Also the fact that your food is already prepared means it's just a matter of reheating and doing the sides. I usually serve a salad and coleslaw with a lasagne and in your case I would maybe get some chips from the chippy. One delicious meal and happy kids

I agree. You may as well stay home

I think it's lovely what you have done, I would prefer home cooking your friend is an idiot

OP don't let this make you feel less then. She needs to mind her own business.

A bit rude, and silly, but some people are like that - find it difficult to understand other people's choices. She's your friend so perhaps thought she could take the piss out of you a bit. I'd just shrug and laugh it off if possible.

Yes I wondered if it was quite as extreme as the op is making out, or if she’s just really sensitive.

I also wonder how they came to book at the same time, the op writes it like it was purely coincidental, and they wouldn’t be spending much time together, but it might have been agreed they all went together.

the friend was likely thinking it was going to be shared meals,but honestly saying bacon rib cabbage and potato soup is a bit uneccessary, just soup would have been enough detail, and brining a lasagne is one thing, but a pot of soup is kinda weird,

maybe if this was not a coincidence they were there together, the op should have clarified she’d be bringing her meals and they wouldn’t be joint.

“Why even bother to leave your house if you’re going to sit in a caravan eating food from home?”
Probably because the evening meal is just a small part of the day! They won’t be sitting in the caravan all day I’m sure, they’ll be out and about doing activities in a setting that’s different from home.

OP you sound lovely. I can just imagine how happy you must have been planning what delicious food to take on holiday and cooking it in advance. Your family will have precious memories for the rest of their lives about these holidays and how well you have cared for them with all their favourite meals. Far better than greasy takeaways!

Are your children very young, given that they'e not in school?