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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

DP just invited four people to dinner tonight and assumed I'd cook

465 replies

Anthologist · 29/08/2024 16:39

AIBU? DP has a flaky but well-meaning (ADHD) friend who on Tuesday invited DP over to supper at Flaky Friend's house tonight. So today I thought that as I'd be here alone this evening I'd just have leftovers and instead of doing the big shop I normally do on a Thursday, I'd shop tomorrow.

FF invited DP over because FF's rather nice posh French girlfriend was due to be away and they planned to watch some rubbish bloke film they both enjoy. Half an hour ago FF contacts DP and says that FF's girlfriend hasn't gone away as planned so their TV date is off — but tell you what, FF and lovely girlfriend will both come to dinner here instead because FF doesn't want to disappoint DP who was expecting an evening with FF. (FF has a different way of seeing things than most people) DP agrees to this in in my hearing, with me yelling SAY NO at him from the hall. He ends the call and then asks what I've got for dinner tonight...

Now FF's partner is a fantastic cook. She cooked for us a couple of weeks ago and it was special. I'm not a bad cook but I want some notice (and some decent fresh ingredients) before cooking for her. So I say no, no way, cancel, cancel, cancel, terrible mistake — and a few choice suggestions for what DP can go and do to himself. He's shouted back about me being a fun sponge and inflexible and how I'm never happy having people round on an impromptu basis and he'll invite whoever he wants to visit in his own home...

We've only had shouting matches like this three or four times in our 14-year relationship, so this is major and I feel very shaken. I take a cup of tea out to the garden to get away from him for ten minutes. Meanwhile OP is in full huff mode and announces when I come back in that he's organised two other people, one of whom can't eat anything with tomatoes in it and one who's a vegan, to join him, FF and FF's partner for this impromptu dinner. I'm invited, too, if I want to be involved.

I've said I'm not cooking, so DP (who probably cooks three times a month, usually sausages or a burger) has found an online recipe for which we have the ingredients and is now preparing butter bean stew with chilli and peanut butter on rice. Stodge of the highest, brownest, vegan order. I feel really embarrassed in case FF's lovely girlfriend thinks this is something I've planned. I'm always the one who cooks for guests since the day early in our relationship when DP served guests slices of toast with ketchup and cheese on top and insisted it was pizza.

DP says I'm being VU. Am I or do other understand where I'm coming from? Off now to freshen up the cloakroom and bathroom. DP says no need, no one will care — but I do and I imagine FF's lovely French girlfriend will...

OP posts:
Idontjetwashthefucker · 29/08/2024 16:41

You are so NOT being unreasonable, just make a point of saying he picked and cooked the recipe if it's shite

PotteringAlonggotkickedoutandhadtoreregister · 29/08/2024 16:42

Go out for tea, leave him to it.

Apologise to FF, LFG, the vegan one and no-tomato-Jo and say that, as you were expecting DP to be out, you had made plans.

Take a book. Go to the cinema. Have a lovely evening!

Augustisnearlydonesogoodbyesun · 29/08/2024 16:43

Isn't it Long Bath Night?

DoreenonTill8 · 29/08/2024 16:43

If I was you, I'd go out for dinner alone leave them to it.
Why can't FF (flaky fuck) host still?

BitOutOfPractice · 29/08/2024 16:44

Be out when they arrive.

YANBU

Elbone · 29/08/2024 16:44

Isn’t it a shame that you already have dinner booked in a restaurant and plans to watch a film at the cinema?

Meadowwild · 29/08/2024 16:45

Just order something in. Or suggest you all go out to a local restaurant. Don't eat his miserable bean stew.

Honestly, I would just send DH out to buy good bread, good cheese, olives, charcuterie, nice fruit and some wine, and let everyone chill.

But you do need to chat when you are calmer about your different reactions and expectations around this sort of thing.

lazyarse123 · 29/08/2024 16:45

As a pp suggested I'd go out as per previously made plans.

Natty13 · 29/08/2024 16:46

Sorry I missed it, where is the friend's girlfriend from again?

SensibleSigma · 29/08/2024 16:46

Go out. You planned something as you knew DP would be out.

northchesterforest · 29/08/2024 16:46

Get a takeaway all together and agree to cook for them another night where you can make something special. Very annoying of him.

nutroastie · 29/08/2024 16:46

message the FF partner and give her heads up that you aren’t involved

cupcaske123 · 29/08/2024 16:46

Let him clean up and get on with it. If the dinner is a disaster order pizzas.

edwinbear · 29/08/2024 16:47

Hell no, I'd not be hanging about for that. I'd be booking myself into a restaurant (and probably a hotel) for the night.

Bogginsthe3rd · 29/08/2024 16:47

You need to be out this evening. Go to the cinema. Go out for dinner by yourself with a book. See a friend. Something.

Hatty65 · 29/08/2024 16:47

I'd take a book and go out to the local Chinese restaurant.

It's great he's cooking. But he doesn't get to organise your evening - and if you were looking forward to being alone, then do so. I wouldn't fancy either his cooking or a meal with FF, french gf, and two other fussy eaters to be honest.

The key thing was 'you are invited if you want to be involved'. Just don't.

nutroastie · 29/08/2024 16:48

children?

VickyEadieofThigh · 29/08/2024 16:48

Even if I were the best cook in Britain, I would have gone ballistic at any partner simply expecting me to cater at short notice for friends THEY had invited round.

I'm including any of my partners thus far in this declaration - thankfully, my female partner is a much better cook than I am but we also ALWAYS make decisions about inviting people TOGETHER.

Lovethat · 29/08/2024 16:48

You are definitely not being unreasonable and well done for not cooking.

I'd make it crystal clear that your dp has done the cooking

Delatron · 29/08/2024 16:48

I’d either go out or tell him to call back and say he was a bit hasty, you have no food in and shall you all get a takeaway instead.

Going out would be my preferred option though.

Bernadinetta · 29/08/2024 16:48

I’d definitely go out. If you’re in touch with the girlfriend, text her and say “Oops, DH just mentioned he’s invited you guys round tonight but as I thought he was coming to yours I’ve already got plans so I won’t see you. Have a nice evening and I’ll catch up with you next time!”

AsYouWiiiiiiiiiiiiish · 29/08/2024 16:49

Definitely go out.
Leave him to play host.

I would be furious if my husband did that and I think its incredibly telling he just expected you to cook for two extra (or i guess 4 extra) people with no notice

Octavia64 · 29/08/2024 16:49

Yeah I'd go out too.

He is being very unreasonable and it's going to go badly.

Gettingannoyednow · 29/08/2024 16:49

How often does he whip up impromptu dinners for your friends?

PotteringAlong has it right.

I'd be furious/mortified. I love it when I get a night to myself.

AltitudeCheck · 29/08/2024 16:49

Graciously accept his invite, tell your guests how pleased / surprised you were when DP said he was hosting/ cooking a last minute dinner party and let him get on with it. If it's a shit show don't say anything 'except, lovely to see you all' and 'It's my turn to cook next time!'

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