to not want to go on holiday with DH as he’s taking Pot Noodles?

[Astridastro]

Hear me out on this, we are off to Italy in a month, a lifelong dream of mine, I had visions of long leisurely lunches and dinners, great Italian food and wine aplenty.

Food on holiday has always been a contentious issue for DH, he believes eating out is a waste of money and would rather sit in the hotel room with a Pot Noodle (seriously). On one holiday he actually went to a supermarket and bought all these pound noodles to try. Now I’m not for blowing money on fancy gourmet dinners but I like to eat nice, good healthy food. We’ve gone all inclusive and that’s usually a great compromise.

So this time I was informing him of the Italian tradition of eating late and it being an event, courses taking a while etc etc and he’s been so annoying about it saying he wants to go to McDonalds or he’ll just have Pot Noodles. He like to eat at 12 noon for lunch and 5pm for dinner on the dot, he eats very fast too. He says he’s going for the sights not for the food.

So I’m contemplating leaving him with his sad Pot Noodle and just taking the DC put for a nice meal on my own. It’s the way he keeps going on about it to get a rise out of me.

And health.

You sight the sites and you eat out.

It wouldn't matter if the Pot Noodles were free of charge, it would still be a batshit way to behave on a family holiday in Italy.

I’ve been scouring TikTok and already have a list of places I want to eat. After a day sightseeing a lovely long sight down and a glass of wine will be lovely! There’s a wealth of gorgeous food not just pizza and pasta and the street food! Cannot wait, I don’t understand him Pot Noodles when you are in the greatest country for food in the world.

For all those who agree with the OP's attitude to "foreign muck", where do you think noodles come from?

Depends on how long I was in the location for and how much there was to see. I eat, obviously, but wouldn't be devoting hours to it if time was short and my must see list was long. Id eat on the go. It's a big world and I've a limited budget and limited time left to see it in so I need to prioritise. Plus I'm vegan and a lot of the foods people rave about aren't open to me, and I can eat a mushroom risotto anytime.
For what it's worth, I'm one of the least miserable people you'd meet. I'm full of enthusiasm and joy of life. Just not particularly fussed about meals.

It does comprise a massive part of it, to be fair!

Exactly, sitting outside in pleasant temperatures instead of shivering, sea air (if near the sea) usually lovely views, and being able to relax and take your time over a meal when generally you can’t at home coz life is too busy, and have a wine or two before the meal. Bliss.

It’s a great part of a holiday!

This. Seems to me like the AI will end up pleasing no one, because the OP won't get to go out and explore local restaurants and her sad sack of a husband will stay in the hotel room eating his fucking pot noodles anyway.

Imagine what to use your luggage allowance for! My dad, bless him, was the opposite. Still remember when he returned from a conference in Paris with a carry-on full of delicate French "LA Ratte" potatoes..

Yes, apologies. I meant the OP's husband.

I believe the noodle predates the Pot Noodle by some time so, no, noodles aren't Welsh.

What a peasant. No, hold on, peasants appreciate the fruits of their labour! To say nothing of his sodium intake, your DH is on a fast-track to severe health issues. LTB.

I am a picky eater but have never stopped SOs or travel companions from having what they want. It's easy enough to have wine, bread and salad most places, or ask for plain grilled chicken.

I will admit there have been times when I have nipped into a McDonald's en route back to the hotel, but never at the expense of sitting and keeping the other(s) company while they enjoy higher cuisine.

He sounds rude.

If you want really good AND affordable places then for both Italy and France I'd check the affordable eats (Bible gourmand) category at viamichelin.com. Think you can check a box so it only shows you places without a star. Never had a bad pick and they've all been on the cheap side, too.

Is he Irish?

Unfamiliar food? It's Italy! Home of the world's most popular international cuisine!

Yes but not to the ops dh.

Can he not do both? Eat his pot noodle at 5pm and still come for dinner? Surely he can manage a glass of wine and slice of pizza or something?
And yes, this would annoy me massively, but it's the way he is, pick your battles.

Are you all inclusive on this holiday? Or did you just mean you go ai generally?

This made me laugh!!

His loss. Doesn’t stop you going out and enjoying Italian dinners.

@Astridastro You said you have gone All inclusive? But you've also said that you have been making a list of places you want to eat? Isn't that a terrible waste of money?

Hahaha, DH would do this and he's Italian!! Seriously. It would piss him off so much to pay tourists restaurant (or indeed any restaurant) prices for something he could make better and cheaper at home.
It's not about being English, it's about being a tight arse!

It is absolutely insane to me that you would firstly get married to someone so fundamentally incompatible, and secondly book a holiday WITH THEM to go somewhere where you want to enjoy the food!!! Literally batshit! Go with people who enjoy what you enjoy.

There's a compromise, Italian restaurants aren't late like Spain, we could be seated around 7pm without issue and you can order as many courses or as few as you want