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!

Takeaways are a treat. Once in a while. I wouldn't want takeaway every night. Your way sounds sensible.

I think what's shifted me to more self catering is how poor quality the food tends be when you do eat out despite it being more expensive these days.

I will take food or the ingredients. And same as you do maybe one take out tea. But lunch will probably always eat out and about .
We have a asd child who has a very limited diet. And a lot of take away is horrible. And very over priced.
I would rather give the money to my kids to spend on activities/toys and such .
But at the same time I fully understand parents who are sick of cooking at home so when away they just get take out and have a break .
Maybe your friend didn't realise how hurtful her reaction was .

It wouldn't be what I would do personally and everyone does things differently but absolutely your choice is okay too and her response was rude and insensitive.

Does the caravan not have any cooking facilities?

My stepdad was always so frugal and wouldn’t waste money. Was very much of the “waste not, want not” and “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” brigade. So, we had holidays where we didn’t eat out at restaurants and as kids we were a bit unhappy about that.

however, he retired early and now travels the world, whilst splashing out and treating us to things like dinners out and even a week’s uk holiday. So, I think he did a very good thing.

in answer to your op, she was very rude! she is probably a bit jealous that you’re a) organised and b) saving money that they will be wasting on overpriced and not very tasty takeaways.

have a fab time!

She is rude and perhaps feeling inferior.
I would be impressed and jealous you are so organised.
Have a lovely break.

I do agree with this - it does seem a bit joyless to stay in the caravan a lot for meals and not go out when on holiday.
I cook enough at home so tend not to on holiday - certainly not our evening meal

OP has said why she's brought food with her, it's not something I'd do but she has said she's trying to keep costs down after buying a house.

Everything is fine now, I think maybe a combination of her going a bit far with the piss taking and me feeling a bit sensitive due to money being tighter than normal.

We all had drinks together last night.

I promise you bringing food doesn't make the holiday joyless though! We're off out for the day today (after a good breakfast in the caravan of course 🤣). Probably have some lunch while out and about and then eat in the caravan tonight. Go to the kids disco etc. Then when the kids are in bed have some wine and cheese (that I brought with me) on the deck as the weather has improved alot today.

I also have 2 under 5 so I think people are over estimating the fun to be had eating out for every meal with them 🤣

I would have had a giggle at the cabbage soup, it's quite funny. But she shouldn't have kept banging on about it. Sounds like she jsut envisaged a slightly different holiday with you all eating together maybe?

We always take food!

Your food sounds amazing. Great thinking.

Your friend sounds like a bit of a cow.

Do not let her get to you.

Actually just what @Ispywithmylittlepie said.

She’s embarrassed that she’s feeding her kids shite & yours are having a healthy meal, I would bet money on that being the root of her making fun of you for it.
I’m with you OP, my daughter wouldn’t eat a takeout even if I ordered one (SEN) so I take foods she likes with me wherever I go!

I mean… it is a bit weird…. if you’re self catering you generally just go to a supermarket nearby and cook fresh on the nights you don’t want to eat out. I’ve never known anyone bring lasagna, soup and beef stew they’ve already made to a caravan holiday with them.

We are going on a caravan holiday next week
We will get some shopping in and I will mainly cook with the odd takeaway
I'm intrigued about bringing ready made food though, where do you keep it ?
Is there a big enough freezer ,normally in caravans there is just a fridge with a small freezer compartment ime,at least.

Why not just use a bit of the brine and add water to the rest? Just a thought

I don’t think she was “really rude” though probably should have not made so much fuss. There is nothing wrong with either approach. Some people like to take a break from cooking/cleaning up while on holiday. Others like to take or cook some proper meals to save money or to be healthier than eating out all the time.

Don't be embarrassed. I'd be in awe of you. For being so organised and good with food stuff. Plus you can relax more knowing you won't be cooking every day on holiday. Well done you.

I actually think it’s a win. Home cooked food without having to do all the work of cooking on holiday - just heat it up and steam a bit of veg to go on the side.

So long as you see your pals for drinks after the meal it should be ok.

and to all those people saying how great homemade food is - well it depends how good a cook the person is! Everyone thinks their homemade food is amazing - it’s not always, sometimes a takeaway is nicer and can even be healthier

I think yabu to get super offended by your friend.
But I think you are being reasonable to have brought your own food.. I would have too! Pointless waste of money eating out every single day. Like you I've just got takeaway one night abd maybe gone out to eat one night. Rest of the time I've cooked.
However you've got to be prepared that some people hate cooking abd think a holiday isn't a holiday if any cooking is involved so would probably be shocked you brought stuff to cook. Everyone's different.
Just pay your friend no mind it's not worth getting offended about. Plenty of people are like you and would do what you have. Your friend just apparently isn't one of them!

But it doesn't have to be your idea of a great holiday because it's not your holiday.

Lots of things are not my idea of a great holiday. Camping. Cruises. Beach/pool holidays. Activity holidays. Backpacking. All-inclusive resorts. Caravan parks. Music festivals. None of these appeal to me. But that doesn't mean it would be reasonable to sneer at other people for having those kinds of holidays if that's what they enjoy.

Yeah, I'm sure it is 'a mindset' in many ways, but are people not allowed to have a harmlessly different mindset to your/their friends' mindset without being mocked for it?

I always order a click and collect shop from a local supermarket when we do a caravan holiday. It’s really expensive to eat out for a whole week, we would prob go away again for the cost of it. We prob eat out two or three times and have ice cream/ coffee etc but my kids are small and fussy anyway so eating out more than that seems like throwing money away. We have a lovely time still, and I just cook quick and simple meals . To me a caravan holiday is a budget break, time to spend time together as a family but not exactly luxury so don’t want to throw money at it. Plus , the choices for eating out never seem to compare to when we go abroad, we do eat out much more then.