To think you should eat outside in summer

[Sneezeseverytimeheeatsabounty]

We live abroad and are on holidays this month.
Dh tends to do a bbq most days for lunch.
Each time he wants to eat inside as thinks there’s too many flies outside (there aren’t) or some other excuse. Dd follows him and they end up sat indoors eating lunch watching tv on a lovely summers day.
I end up sat outside eating lunch on my own
We have a nice seating area by the garden and pool with large parasol for shade
We have all autumn/winter where we’ll have to be sat inside eating

Aibu to want to sit and eat lunch outside as a family on our summer holidays?

I don't think it's a shame. It's his Choice, a basic human right! YABU he doesn't need to justify what he prefers to do

There's no "should" about it. People are allowed their own preferences. I personally like eating outside in the summer (as long as it's not too hot) but it's not something I feel I must do by any means. If your husband and your daughter prefer eating inside then it's not a shame that they're not doing something they don't want to do.

Eat outside if you want. Let them eat inside if they want. If you want to do something together, pick something you all want to do.

For wasps, one way to stop them bothering you is to plant fennel. My fennel plants are covered in wasps, who seem to leave me alone.

I like to eat outside … sometimes. But sometimes I don’t feel like it, partly because moving all the lunch stuff outside is more of a faff than leaving it in the kitchen. Then afterwards it’s a faff to bring the stuff back inside.

If the expectation is that we should always eat outside in summer then it becomes a bit like we should have a roast every Sunday, we should be outside whenever it is moderately sunny.

We have a lovely garden and patio to sit at but we rarely eat there. Too many wasps in particular this summer. We do sometimes have lunch out there, especially on days I wfh but honestly it’s just a bit of a faff. And our patio comes straight off our kitchen but still it’s easier to eat inside.
We also end up eating quite late most evenings, 8:30-9:30 is not uncommon for us, and it’s usually chilly by then and now it’s definitely getting dark or actually dark so not really an option for evening means anyway!

I detest eating outside because of insects etc, tho I would come outside with just a coffee and sit with you.

It's lovely to sit outside and eat, I'm amazed they want to go in. Whenever we go to the continent people sit outside at restaurants and pretty much no one sits inside unless there's no other space. I think it's just England where people are paranoid about wasps and insects.

All you have to do to avoid wasps is to avoid sugary drinks. They're much more interested in coke or lemonade then they are in meat and veg!

Then go inside. They both clearly have a preference. If you want to eat together, do it inside if it’s important to you.

Some people like eating outside. Some people don’t. It’s really not that deep.

why if she doesn't want to?

on what planet?

my garden is full of fennel and I still get wasps, although for me, the bigger issue is mosquitos. I react badly to bites and I seem to be the one who gets singled out to be bitten

Even of every single.perspn who responded on here agreed with you, it still wouldn't mean he had to do it.

Yes, it would be nice.

I camp for most of my holidays because I love being outside, cooking outside, eating outside. It's the only way I feel truly rested from the rest of life.

But other people would disagree because we all like different things.

It’s not a matter of ‘should’, it’s down to individual preference. I like eating outside, but I’ll avoid it if there are insects around especially wasps/flies, seagulls or pigeons, or if it’s windy. Especially now at the end of summer when there seems to be more wasps around. They are a total fucking nuisance, you turn away for a second and one could crawl in your drink. Surely you are spending plenty of time outside together not eating?

Some people simply attract more flying insects, get bitten more and react more unpleasantly to their bites. Body chemistry and all that. Don't assume that just because your own perception is that there aren't many bugs about (and if there are, they are no big deal) lines up with your relatives' experience!

I hate eating outside, no matter if it’s a lovely day. I hate barbecues too.

We need a new board on mumsnet.

Not AIBU but PVMO (please validate my opinion)

so you eat outside, you stay on the beach and you don't tell him to do something he doesn't want to.

I loathe eating outside and do it as little as possible.

eat. inside. with. them.

easy

I hate eating outside. Everything feels dirty. I hate any breeze while I’m eating that may have bits drift towards my food, and I don’t want any bugs or birds near me. I don’t feel relaxed thinking things may land on my plate.

I like to eat outside if we have shade and we’re not pestered by wasps and flies. I know what you mean about it being a shame and then the family not eating together. Did you know this about him before ? I think it would’ve put me off if I had a lifetime of not enjoying summer holidays!

YABU

Your wishes don’t trump everyone else’s and if you want to eat as a family then you need to go inside to eat.

Most of the time I really enjoy eating outside but some days I just can’t deal with it.

Theres nothing I love more than eating in front of the TV though, it really helps me decompress from the day. And I don’t like talking when eating much either, especially the evening meal when I’m tired, so it’s nice to sit quietly and just watch Tv and eat.

It soubds as though you want to sit outside as a family and chat, which is something I don’t always want to do.

There’s no “should “ about it. It’s your personal opinion.

I’m amazed at all those who dislike it. The outdoor spaces at pubs and restaurants have been rammed so obviously a minority view.

I think adults should eat where they want.

My parents used to have a house in France. BBQ moss days, never had an issue with flies, wasps etc.
I love eating outside in the summer but no-one else does really. Let them waste the summer inside if they want and you enjoy being outside.