to think that this was a bit bizarre but funny thing to do?

[ChocDee]

First time poster on here - but a long time lurker. So, hello!

I just wanted your opinion on this one - would this make you laugh a little in an incredulous way and think 'Alan Partridge"?!

We invited a new couple over for dinner last night. They have recently arrived into expat land so this was the first time that we actually spent any time together. They brought along their 3 teenaged children, so dinner for 4 turned into dinner for 7. No worries, I was forewarned in time to be able to make another food run to stock up on food etc. The more the merrier, and they seem to be nice kids,so no problem!

They duly arrived an HOUR early... ok, so they got to see the hoover in the sitting room and me creating havoc in the kitchen. No problem...?

We spent a very nice evening - lots of chat and laughter and the kids were great. No problem!

But... at the end of the evening the dad took my husband aside and asked whether he minded if their two oldest sons put on a bit of a performance. err... of course - no problem!

They then proceeded in hauling in their violin and a guitar and they did indeed perform to us. Lots and lots of called out song requests from the parents, they played and they sang to their hearts content for a looong time.

They were good-ish (I do not think they would have got through to the second round on Britain got Talent to be honest!).

Throughout I could feel the eagle eyes of the father on me checking wether I thought they were super great so I made great efforts to nod and tap along to the 'awesome music' and do the appropriate claps a woops of joy and admiration afterwards.

But seriously?! Who would do that?? In their own home - understandable. If the kids had 'accidentally' brought a long a tiny little harmonica in their back pocket - understandable. But to load up the car with their instruments????

We laughed once they left, would you?

I am all for encouraging budding musicians etc, but was this not a tiny bit strange??

Oh, and before you ask - we had not run out of things to talk about before the performance either.

Thank you for reading!

They are nutters. Or maybe completely sane but with non-existent social skills. I can't decide.

Was it folk music? Did the father have a beard? Was the mother wearing patchwork?

when we have get togethers most our our friends/family bring muscical instruments.i dont think its odd.i think its nice.

when you go to theres-take some juggling balls

btw im not muscial,dont wear patchwork or have a beard

it's a little weird that they would bring along instruments ith the obvious intent of playing but not ask/advise in advance.
because then you could have organised complementary entertainment.
it is also a bit rude playing for a loong time in someone else's home.
and a unfair that you were being gauged for your reaction too.

otherwise it's nice.

PMSL - like the Gracie Fields song, I brought my harp to the party and nobody asked me to play. Only they didn't wait to be asked.
Quite odd - unless this is AIBU by stealth and you are about to reveal that you are actually Simon Cowell...

No beards, no patchwork! Father is a Super Army Soldier.

But... He does conduct weekly bible studies sessions at work and the 3 kids are home schooled. Oh and they are American, though my husband says that this is not the norm amongst his people!

I agree with Cheesesarnie - it can be a lovely way to spend an evening. But the first time you meet up 'officially' so to speak??

I like the idea of giving back with juggling balls. I will have to practise though - perhaps me and my husband can develop some kind of snazzy routine?

Did they play "Take Me Home, Country Roads"?

I agree it was 'nice', just a bit of a surprise; and did make us giggle a bit and now we can start practise a routine ourselves.

Husband may have to be persuaded - but I am determined not to be outdone!

yes if you are simon cowel or some kind of music agent etc then yabvu!

actually sod juggling balls.do a mime act instead!

I was concentrating too hard on the smiling and tapping along to remember any of the songs - but definately not "take me home". Some of them they had written themselves.

I'd just be relieved that they didn't expect you to score the performance and produce a full written review TBH

Tis a bit odd.

a-hahahah!

I think you should incorporate some kind of dance routine into the juggling. Make it all very "TA-DAAAAA" at the end as well, lots of jazz hands and massive toothy grins.

I'd be tempted to stock up on ping pong balls and give em the whole 'sticky Vicky' routine, al la Benidorm.

Fabulous.

I vote you and husband start working on a lengthy mime for when you get invited to theirs.

Who was that chap who could fart tunes?
Could you do that, OP?

argh thelunar66. Too far.

Too far by half a ping pong. Apparantly she used to be able to open beer bottles as well.

[shudder]

Nutters. An hour early is awful, without having to endure some awful music and pretend you like it. NEVER EVER contact them again.

Well, its kinda different

But you had a nice evening, and some funny memories to keep.

Are they Dutch ? only ask as we met a really nice family on holiday who were a bit unconventional like that.

What will your DC play on the return visit?

Arriving an hour early is annoying enough, but the subsequent performance is just bizzarro

Reminds me of my mum's old neighbours who had about eight kids, they came over once in early december and ALL squeezed into the kitchen where we were sat drinking tea and chatting. The dad started telling a corny joke and the punchline was 'deck the halls' - suddenly they all burst into a hearty version of deck the halls, complete with harmonies and foot tapping. About another 6 more carols followed.

None of my family caught each others eye for fear of a giggling fit, I have no idea how I managed to keep a straight face throughout!

Well, my dh is a very proficient farter but I am a laydeeee so he would have to do a solo on that one with me keeping rhythm on some maraccas perhaps?

LOL @ jazz hands

Lol, Carrotfly I imagined them as Dutch whilst reading OP too!

Chocdee you should definately outdo them next time. Learn the tuba quicksharp! Or carry score-cards.

But a miming act would probably be more satisfying for me - excrutiating for my dh though. But I thoroughly enjoy making him squirm and change colour in public so that would definately work!