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AIBU?

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Guests bring their own lunch

552 replies

thevoiceofreasoning · 09/08/2026 16:50

I have recently had surgery and I am pretty immobile … just about get around on crutches indoors. Friends (m and f married couple with 10 year old daughter) wanted to visit me at my home. I’m not really up to guests to be honest but they more or less invited themselves. I agreed and they said they would arrive around 11am and stay until about 3pm (they live a couple of hours drive away from me). Since this timing clearly spanned over lunchtime I thought it was only fair to warn them I wasn’t really up to making a meal for them, which is something I usually always do when they visit a few times a year. The wife says oh that’s not a problem we will bring something with us. i thought oh that will be nice … a bit of company and something nice to eat brought in!
Well they all arrived carrying big cool bag and busied themselves putting things in my fridge etc. We chatted for a while and then wife stood up and said she would fix lunch… checking with me where I kept my plates etc. whilst I remained sat in the lounge. When everything is plated … individual pots of salad, wrapped up sandwiches etc. kind of picnic style and she announced it was ready, I suddenly realised that she had only put out 3 plates for them and had not included me! She then turned and said ‘Oh are you going to make yourself something and join us?”
I was so shocked I just mumbled oh I will make myself some toast. And then sat there with them eating a couple of slices of toast whilst they had their individually plated picnic goodies! The funny thing is I truly believe they thought they were being considerate bringing their own food so I didn’t have to bother cooking.
I can sort of laugh about it but I am also gobsmacked they could think that was ok! However, now looking back I guess I did make an assumption that they would bring something for me to eat too. AIBU? Love to hear people’s thoughts on this!

OP posts:
Spamham · 11/08/2026 18:42

DuckbilledSplatterPuff · 11/08/2026 12:51

That's why I think she couldn't comprehend why OP was saying she couldn't cater and thought its as easy to make a sandwich for us as it is for her.... took umbridge and thought, well if that's the case we will bring OUR lunch and just our lunch, if that's what she wants and she can eat her own.

She was making a point and the other's with her all knew that which is why no one else offered the OP anything. I think she seriously expected OP to have made her own lunch. But having got the hump and wanting to make her point, she wasn't going to offer anything. Its the individual packaging and catering for specific sandwich orders that makes me think this.

Just thoughtless, lacking in imagination/empathy, maybe dismissing surgery as only a minor thing due to lack of thought or knowledge (or interest), and then offended as she views the lunch issue as a favour withdrawn for no reason and was probably saying to her self ... "well I would'nt have offered to drive there if I'd know we wouldn't even get lunch. "

So she sees driving to you as a favour and lunch as a return favour from you, and regards you as not keeping your part of the bargain, hence the offence taken, and doesn't have the wit (or the kindness) to credit your reasons for not doing lunch that day.
Its transactional and passive aggressive. Especially as she more or less ordered you to eat your own lunch (so they didn't have to feel guility) and then sat there and watched you struggle to get to kitchen to make ... toast.

it says a lot about her character to do this

I realise this is pure speculation on my part tho.

Edited

This ⬆️

thevoiceofreasoning · 11/08/2026 19:25

thelegacyofhope · 11/08/2026 18:00

Yes, of course. Sorry! 😂

Lol

OP posts:
Dovesono · 11/08/2026 19:35

thevoiceofreasoning · 11/08/2026 15:55

Well upon reflection … although I’ve know them for a number of years I guess we are not that close for me to say “oi where’s mine?!’ Like I probably would if it had been my best friend who had done this (heaven forbid!) But I was really looking forward to some nice nibbles and snacks* and was just in disbelief when I saw she had only put out three plates! Then when she asked me what was I having, I was so unprepared for the question I just mumbled I’ll make some toast and hobbled into the kitchen to fling some bread in the toaster! 🤣

  • I haven’t shared this part before because I thought people would surely think I’m making it up … but friend is actually a trained chef so I was really expecting a gourmet lunch! 😂

Really wish you'd replied by saying, "I don't know - what have you brought me?"!

thevoiceofreasoning · 11/08/2026 20:23

Dovesono · 11/08/2026 19:35

Really wish you'd replied by saying, "I don't know - what have you brought me?"!

Yes in retrospect me too! 🤣

OP posts:
EvieBB · 11/08/2026 22:16

thevoiceofreasoning · 11/08/2026 14:26

I know! Calling me mean for starting the thread is more offensive than the “friend” that didn’t bring lunch! Lol

Some folk are nuts!

Easterchicken · 11/08/2026 22:18

I hope this is fake.... But as I know so many people like this I know it's probably not

That is horrific

Selfish to the max on their side

Who even does that

thevoiceofreasoning · 11/08/2026 22:32

Easterchicken · 11/08/2026 22:18

I hope this is fake.... But as I know so many people like this I know it's probably not

That is horrific

Selfish to the max on their side

Who even does that

i know it sounds unbelievable but yes it really did happen! The more I hear about how people behave it shouldn’t surprise me … but I somehow thought “my friends wouldn’t do that” ….

OP posts:
Seajaye · 11/08/2026 23:00

The more I read about these friends, the more I think it has the hallmarks of a very good Mike Leigh short film film, or a Catherine Tate sketch.

Have fun casting the parts!

Anonymousmember12345 · 11/08/2026 23:18

People are deranged I genuinely don’t understand some people. The really funny thing is that they probably think they are amazing friends, social busy popular, kind you name it that’s what they think of themselves.
i had similar once living in a flat, I had garden flat but small communal garden, people upstairs invited me to a BBQ, I didn’t know them well but wanted to be social so went out after a while to say Hi and took some drinks. My kid reached out and took a crisp. 1 crisp! One of their guests spoke very sharply to her telling her not to do that and to leave the crisps alone don’t touch them. So we left. Same guy then proceeded to kick a football into my glass door repeatedly for about 20 minutes. Like the window was his goal. Psychotic!

But yeah your ‘friends’ are CF but I bet you they think they are the bees knees.

thevoiceofreasoning · 11/08/2026 23:49

Seajaye · 11/08/2026 23:00

The more I read about these friends, the more I think it has the hallmarks of a very good Mike Leigh short film film, or a Catherine Tate sketch.

Have fun casting the parts!

Oh I think there may be enough material for a Mike Leigh play “The Lunch Party” 😂😂

OP posts:
thevoiceofreasoning · 12/08/2026 00:48

PyongyangKipperbang · 09/08/2026 18:42

I would disagree......clearly their "culture" is being a selfish cunt!

Lol

OP posts:
Lemonymint · 12/08/2026 09:24

So they imposed themselves on a person convalescing and then brought lunch only for themselves. The rudeness and lack of empathy is truly staggering. I have family members on the spectrum and they simply wouldn't dream of self-inviting themselves and bringing food only for themselves. Our culture though is perhaps different about being sure to provide ample if not overwhelming amounts of food. I have to say though that some of the most thoughtless people I have ever met were "sensitive" if their behaviour was ever called out.

OVienna · 12/08/2026 10:00

@thevoiceofreasoning Have you heard from them since the visit?

thevoiceofreasoning · 12/08/2026 10:04

. I have to say though that some of the most thoughtless people I have ever met were "sensitive" if their behaviour was ever called out.

You are so right! In fact there seems to be a direct correlation… the more thoughtless they the more ‘sensitive’ they become!

OP posts:
thevoiceofreasoning · 12/08/2026 10:10

OVienna · 12/08/2026 10:00

@thevoiceofreasoning Have you heard from them since the visit?

yes … just this morning … she sent a text saying how lovely it was see me and that we should catch up again next half term! (We usually always meet in school hols)
I haven’t responded yet ..

OP posts:
thevoiceofreasoning · 12/08/2026 10:11

Lemonymint · 12/08/2026 09:24

So they imposed themselves on a person convalescing and then brought lunch only for themselves. The rudeness and lack of empathy is truly staggering. I have family members on the spectrum and they simply wouldn't dream of self-inviting themselves and bringing food only for themselves. Our culture though is perhaps different about being sure to provide ample if not overwhelming amounts of food. I have to say though that some of the most thoughtless people I have ever met were "sensitive" if their behaviour was ever called out.

You are so right! In fact there seems to be a direct correlation… the more thoughtless they are the more ‘sensitive’ they become!

OP posts:
dudsville · 12/08/2026 10:21

I'm coming to this thread late, nearly 500 posts in, so I'm not going to pitch in with what I'm certain are the typical and reasonable range of responses here - I'm sure I agree with most of you all. I just wanted a space to say that I feel like MN posts are so often shocking. I feel like I live on a different planet. I'm so continuously surprised at these weird examples of human behaviour. Sometimes reading MN is like going back in time to when I would read those old managines in the GP surgery that had articles like this.

Carriemac · 12/08/2026 10:27

thevoiceofreasoning · 12/08/2026 10:10

yes … just this morning … she sent a text saying how lovely it was see me and that we should catch up again next half term! (We usually always meet in school hols)
I haven’t responded yet ..

You have to say something.

MajorProcrastination · 12/08/2026 10:41

thevoiceofreasoning · 12/08/2026 10:10

yes … just this morning … she sent a text saying how lovely it was see me and that we should catch up again next half term! (We usually always meet in school hols)
I haven’t responded yet ..

"I was happy to see you guys too but I was gutted there was no fancy picnic for me! It's been tough cooking (and the rest!) on the crutches which is why I didn't make us a lovely spread to share as usual so when you said you'd bring food, I thought you meant you were bringing for all of us. That's why I just had the sad toast. If I'm honest, it really upset me."

Tandia · 12/08/2026 10:48

MajorProcrastination · 12/08/2026 10:41

"I was happy to see you guys too but I was gutted there was no fancy picnic for me! It's been tough cooking (and the rest!) on the crutches which is why I didn't make us a lovely spread to share as usual so when you said you'd bring food, I thought you meant you were bringing for all of us. That's why I just had the sad toast. If I'm honest, it really upset me."

Good response. But doesn't mention being left with the washing up!

Ethelspagetti · 12/08/2026 11:06

thevoiceofreasoning · 12/08/2026 10:10

yes … just this morning … she sent a text saying how lovely it was see me and that we should catch up again next half term! (We usually always meet in school hols)
I haven’t responded yet ..

Oh my gosh! What a truly thoughtless people they both are! Think I’d reply, hi, I’m really sorry but I’m not up to visitors because I’m struggling to get about and even stand up. Last time just making myself lunch and washing guests plates up was too much for me! Even though it was lovely to see you. Take care.

Seajaye · 12/08/2026 11:25

..

Seajaye · 12/08/2026 11:27

Tandia · 12/08/2026 10:48

Good response. But doesn't mention being left with the washing up!

Add...and I shed a tear or two into the washing up bowl when I washed up your plates..

AutumnLover1990 · 12/08/2026 11:30

thevoiceofreasoning · 12/08/2026 10:10

yes … just this morning … she sent a text saying how lovely it was see me and that we should catch up again next half term! (We usually always meet in school hols)
I haven’t responded yet ..

"Yes. That would be lovely. Lunch on you next time in return for all the lovely meals I've cooked in the past". Won't see them again for dust.

AutumnLover1990 · 12/08/2026 11:31

MajorProcrastination · 12/08/2026 10:41

"I was happy to see you guys too but I was gutted there was no fancy picnic for me! It's been tough cooking (and the rest!) on the crutches which is why I didn't make us a lovely spread to share as usual so when you said you'd bring food, I thought you meant you were bringing for all of us. That's why I just had the sad toast. If I'm honest, it really upset me."

This. Might make them be less selfish next time. That's if you're wanting a next time.

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