To think that you don’t finish the last of something in someone else’s house?

[BarbaraVineFan]

Staying with my lovely SIL at the moment and went to make myself a sandwich (we have the kind of relationship where it’s totally fine for me to do this). I fancied peanut butter, but when I looked, there wasn’t much left in the jar so I went for cheese instead because I thought it would be rude to finish the peanut butter. Thinking about it, is this a thing, or should I have just slathered peanut butter on my bread without a care in the world?

As a guest I would just mention it before using and ask - just in case that last Tsp of peanut butter is somehow a crucial element of dinner etc. I don't think it's a faux pas though really.

In my home, I don't mind guests using or finishing anything in the cupboards and fridge, and let them know this. If it is something specific I'm keeping for dinner I'll mention it. I do always appreciate the heads up if someone uses the last of the bread or whatever so I know to pick up some more.

I would either ask or quietly choose something else; as host, I'd want to be asked - not because it wouldn't normally be fine but because I'd want to know we'd run out!

A guest ate all the smoked salmon I'd bought for Christmas breakfast the day before Christmas Eve once, without mentioning it. Luckily I spotted the packet in the bin in time to replace it, but I felt that was pretty rude.

@writeithowIlike that really is very rude indeed! Who on Earth helps themselves to a whole packet of SMOKED SALMON at Christmas?!

That's what I thought though it was actually mild compared to some of the rest of their behaviour, my goodwill to all men was seriously stretched that year

I wouldnt use the last of something as a guest.

But I would hope a guest in my house would feel comfortable enough to finish something of.

I'm with you op. I would have mentioned to the host that there wasn't much left and whether they minded me finishing it off before helping myself.

Do people think opening something new without asking is rude as well, especially if it was bought as a present?

I think with the peanut butter I’d just want to mention it - at the very least so they know they’ve run out. They might just not use it often.

The smoked salmon one is awful!

I’d have checked, definitely.

if I was hosting I’d just like a heads up so I can replace it if necessary. Really not fussy about people helping themselves and I’m a stockpiler so rare to finish anything 🤣

As a guest I would also either quietly choose something different, or ask whether it was OK to finish.

As a host I would feel glad my guests felt confronted enough to help themselves, and respected me enough to ask where it was ok to finish.

Opening packets - that depends. A fresh jar of peanut butter in the same cupboard as the jam etc, yes, I'd assume it was there to be used. Something from a store cupboard, or something that looked special or set aside, I would definitely ask first. As for a gift, I would not touch it! I wouldn't even ask, unless I had given it.

As a host I would feel glad my guests felt comfortable enough to help themselves, and respected me enough to ask whether it was ok to finish

Autocorrect 🙄