I BROKE TWO PLATES

[koolkatxx]

Went to my friend’s today and honestly I think I need to be banned from other people’s homes for life.

First plate: we were snacking in the living room, I somehow managed to knock it off the coffee table. Smashed. I apologised about 50 times, cleaned it all up, offered to replace it. Friend told me to stop apologising and absolutely not to replace it. All fine.

Then an hour later… I somehow broke a different plate in the kitchen. I don’t even know how. It just slipped like my hands forgot how to function.

Her brother came in immediately, handed us the hoover without saying a single word, and walked out. I wanted the floor to swallow me. I felt like some kind of destructive toddler.

Friend kept saying “it’s fine, move on, don’t mention it again,” and even made me agree not to bring it up. But I STILL feel awful and like she must secretly be thinking I’m a complete liability.

AIBU to still feel mortified?
Or do normal adults just… break two plates in one day and move on with their lives?!

Her brother is a dick, you are having a clumsy day, it happens.

Also I voted wrong. You are BU to still be mortified.

I would find that annoying tbh, especially if you broke plates from a set.

Make sure you leave money for replacements.

Thanks- such a clumsy day!!! Not sure if I should still buy her a set of plates as an apology though

You cant help having accidents but do think you should buy more as 2 missing from a set is annoying.

I would text my friend and say: "So sorry about today. I am not sure what to do - either apply for Greek citizenship or buy you a new dinner service for Christmas?" Unless they were priceless heirlooms, I am sure it is fine. Accidents happen, it's just that sometimes they happen more than once in a row.

Of course you should make amends.

They were different plates- the first one was a normal white dinner plate and the second one was a cute dessert plate!!!

I’m picturing you as Elizabeth out of keeping up appearances now 🤭

These things happen OP. My mum once crashed down on one of our dining chairs and broke it and my friend's husband, on being shown our new carpet dropped his coffee on it, right in the centre of the room.

We didn't expect of want either of them to put it right.

I would buy my friend a present to apologise. I think two plates in a day is quite unusual though. Do you normally break lots of things?

No!!!!!

You must be pretty sure your friend isn’t a mumsnetter!

You could ask the name of the design and go onto chinasearch.co.uk. They have lots of normal services like BHS or Churchill, not just posh stuff. You can buy each plate as a single. Maybe add something small like an egg-cup as an apology?

I grew up in a home where a broken plate was the absolute end of the world. So much so that the first time I broke a plate in my husband's house I immediately burst into tears.

As a result I make it a point to have zero emotional attachment to any crockery. You can come and smash plates like a Greek at mine OP, I'll have you 😁

(If your friend says it's fine, believe her!)

If it feels any better to have some company - I tripped over the mop bucket today just as I finished cleaning the floor and emptied gross mop water all over the carpet of the next room.

Then 10 minures later just... Let go... Of a can of coke which emptied itself onto a different carpet, narrowly missing my work laptop (thank god!).

I'm just a walking disaster today. I'm putting it down to being tired and getting over a virus.

@Sgtmajormummy I don't know why, but this has really tickled me!

Maybe add something small like an egg-cup as an apology?

I'd give her a john Lewis gift voucher or something so she can decide if she wants to replace them.

Be more careful next time, but apart from that try to forget about it.

I had an ex boyfriend in my early 20s who was like this and broke 2 glasses and a computer keyboard at my mum's house.

This is why I don't have carpets haha I'd be the same

Wouldn’t bother me at all if plates got smashed.
a favourite mug maybe but then I would give visitors ones I wasn’t bothered if smashed- not my favourites.

Or just don't mop. For safety reasons.

I find Ebay a good place for buying the odd piece of a discontinued set; so I've still got a full dinner service after 37 years.
Try & find what brand it is & find the supplier online. Then see if they'll sell you a couplevl of plates

@koolkatxx that is mortifying and spectacularly bad luck. Did the first accident make you nervous, leading
to the second accident?

Aw! Clumsy day… hormones, post-viral - it happens. If I was your friend I’d be internally a bit regretful that it had happened but would know it wasn’t deliberate or your fault at all and genuinely wouldn’t be cross or blame you. It would be awkward if you kept going on about it so I’d be the same saying seriously it’s absolutely fine just don’t mention it. I think you can take her at her word that it’s really not a huge problem - but if you wanted (and I would, just to close the incident and make myself feel better) I think pp suggestion of a John Lewis voucher with a note saying thanks for a lovely day and apologies again would be a really nice gesture. She can replace or buy something else she likes and feel good about your manners and you can put it behind you! But even if you don’t do that, this stuff happens - take her at her word that it’s okay! We’ve all been there.

I would defo take a voucher or try and replace