Is it cheap not to cater?

[Itrtttyy]

it’s a significant birthday and a function room is being hired out 4-6pm for around 40 guests then afterwards carrying on in nearby (nice) pubs. The function room place serves food as do a few nearby pubs.

Does the event need catered (a buffet)?

Yes - YABU
No - YANBU

I’ll report back but this is how it will go -

Most people will turn up for 4. Maybe a couple of stragglers will arrive late if they’ve been to work. Everyone will get themselves a drink at the bar and wonder where the buffet is.

People will chat and mingle and catch up. Some might have a game of darts or pool. Some may order food whilst longing for a pineapple hedgehog and chicken drumstick.

It’ll go 6 and everyone will be told we’ll go downstairs first. After that we’ll go to a couple of the larger, food type pubs and people will mill about, order food if they’re hungry, and drink.

As numbers dwindle we’ll get a taxi to where the bars are open later, are busier and aren’t for food. People will end up separating off, forming little groups and getting lost from the main one. Some will concede defeat and get pizza* and go home. Others will battle on until the bitter end and leave in the small hours of the morning.

And that’ll be that.

I wouldn’t choose it but it’s what she wants and I can’t seeing any particular drama other than the buffet scandal.

*Other options are available. Don’t want another panini outcry.

Well, okay? Not sure what you want?

Jeeezus!!

Nah. Can't be bothered to read that 🤦🙄🥱🥱🥱

I think the 'crazy' is the OP!!

No, you haven’t missed anything!

But it would’ve been more in the spirit of the thread if you’d said she should’ve offered to fund everyone’s taxis to the venue or criticised her for not checking whether anyone’s dog has an obedience class at 4pm that day.

Given the very rude response to a well thought out response from a PP I'm leaning towards agreeing but reserving judgement until I've RTFT (if I can be bothered of course....)

I’ll take your word for it.

I think she knew by my reaction that’s what I thought she should do, which I think is why I’ve been told today there’s now going to be cake.

That’s me learning my lesson!

am reading this and thinking this surely has to be made up 🤣 do people really think like this when organising things ?? 🤷‍♀️ I would find that it's a bit odd timings too. I have no interest on a pub crawl. we no longer in our 20s now 🤣 you say she has asked for no presents but most people will give presents like wine and flowers. people will expect some food.
for my own 40th had a party at home just over 40 people were at it served curry and rice had salads and bread too. there was caked and processco too. another friend of mine had a big birthday but she wasn't fussed so she siad meet in a pub around half 9. not a probate function the time didn't expect food and she bought everyone two drinks each
if went to this birthday party would be the talk of the friends the next 6 months 🤣

This is the strangest thread I've read on here in ages! I'm quite invested in this mounjaro-special piss up.....please update as it happens, OP.

It should have a buffet, £300 would do it for 40 people, less if you didn't serve puddings. It sounds like my sort of thing. My circle would be up for it at 40 (I'm now nearly 60). I've been to something similar and two of us did a chippy run, we had paper plates. We still laugh about the state of my Aunt's funeral buffet. It will be something you all look back on. But yes, it wouldn't cost much to eat together. Is she stubborn, as well as a bit tight?

Yes the OP,I mean the "friend" 🤦🙄🤣 certainly comes across that way...

Why are you so keen for it to be me? I think there should be a buffet. If it was my event, I’d have one. What you struggling with?

Mmm, no, I wouldn’t say so. Not notably so anyway. It is undoubtedly the money - not that she doesn’t have it, she just won’t spend it.

When we were students we went to McDonalds drive through. She was driving and I asked for a cheeseburger which at the time were 99p. She asked me to transfer her the money. We lived together for a while and she would always help herself to my food, but woe betide you took a slice of bread from hers (and yes, I did pull her on it and I was told it was different because my mother would someone’s arrive with a bag of shopping). When I asked what time the buffet was, I realised as I was asking it that one wasn’t going to materialise.

I've known similar people and it's been close family who has paid for the food/drinks as part of the birthday present. While there should be food, We'd buzz off the situation.

Yeah, I agree. Despite that she should put one on, everyone will still have a laugh and won’t give a toss that they’re eating a panini from Wetherspoons as part of the celebrations.

Shame. You might have learned something.

A panini only takes 5 minutes… now who’s being obtuse.

You are extremely defensive OP. I agree with all that have suggested this is actually your do and not your friends.

How rude.

Eh? What’s wrong with it taking five minutes?

Indeed. Op seems to not want to hear opinions.

It's very unusual to hire a function room for 2 hours? Any party invited would always expect for unless it says drink only. Xx

Very strange to post being all coy in the beginning about whose party it was, then she finally gives in and admits she thinks her friend is cheap, everyone agrees and she gets completely defensive.

I would still be interested to hear how this party pans out though, please update us OP 😂.