Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Mumsnet classics

Relive the funniest, most unforgettable threads. For a daily dose of Mumsnet’s best bits, sign up for Mumsnet's daily newsletter.

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

Original poster

Things you assumed were normal

685 replies

meredithgrey1 · 30/01/2020 22:44

DH bought some weetabix to have for breakfast a few days ago and I was amazed to see him preparing it by just pouring cold milk on and then eating it like that! I can't eat weetabix now but when I was little my mum would pour the milk on, then microwave it, then mash the biscuits in to create something similar to porridge. I assumed at the time that this was the only way to eat weetabix but my husband was appalled at the very idea and after a quick google it does seem like I'm very much in the minority. So it got me thinking, what are some things that you thought were normal, but then you realised that you/your family were the only one(s) doing it like that?

OP posts:
AlCalavicci · 02/02/2020 22:59

@sun go for it, it is really nice just make sure the egg is cooked through otherwise it can be sloppy ( and so can your guts be later Envy

coconuttelegraph · 02/02/2020 23:37

Jelly and evaporated milk was a standard pudding in the 1970s and 80s wasn't it? Everyone ate it when I was growing up, I remember having it at large guide camps so it must have been pretty mainstream.

I also thought sneezing when looking into a bright light was an involuntary reaction, isn't that why you do it to clear a sneeze?

sunshineskymoon · 03/02/2020 00:16

I also thought sneezing when looking into a bright light was an involuntary reaction, isn't that why you do it to clear a sneeze?

I thought this! Whenever you need to sneeze but can't you look into a light. Everyone knows this surely!

ThumbWitchesAbroad · 03/02/2020 02:11

@GlomOfNit - I always put cheese in soup as well!
Used to put SO MUCH cheese onto tomato soup (and Heinz spaghetti as well) that you could pretty much eat it with a fork instead of a spoon!

Now I'm a bit more picky and like to put Brie in my homemade leek and potato soup - one son follows suit, the other likes grated grana padano on his.

sueelleker · 03/02/2020 08:09

My Dad used to put a Mars bar in the fridge, then cut it into slices to eat it.

shinynewapple2020 · 03/02/2020 08:28

I think the whipped jelly/evaporated milk/jelly fluff desert was a quite common 1970's desert.

I also made this in school.

You can do a 'diet' version with sugar free jelly and muller light yoghurt.

We had a rather strange cheese cake desert which my mum made from a recipe my aunt gave her which involved the normal crumbed biscuit base but a topping of canned pineapple and cottage cheese mixed and set in jelly. Sound horrible but it was really nice. I was surprised when I discovered this wasn't 'normal' cheese cake.

shinynewapple2020 · 03/02/2020 08:30

I also put grated cheese on soup, but first make croutons from cutting a piece of toast into cubes, add this to the soup, put the grated cheese on top, then mix it all up together. That's my standard WFH lunch!

HildaTablet · 03/02/2020 08:50

Elouera - 'mock duck' sounds as though it started out as a wartime recipe. That's the sort of thing they used to call weird sandwich fillings made of cheaper/obtainable ingredients that weren't drastically rationed.

'Savoury duck' on the other hand is a different term for what we (in my Northern childhood) knew as faggots.

I'm enjoying this thread - I eat the whole apple including the core, have cold milk on my Weetabix and I have a sneaking love for digestives with butter and cheese Grin Oh, and Dh has cold custard on hot puddings...

Geoffreythecat · 03/02/2020 08:52

My Dad used to put a Mars bar in the fridge, then cut it into slices to eat it

That's exactly how I eat a Mars Bar too, it's far too sickly otherwise. Am feeling strangely happy that it's not just me Grin

Tooner · 03/02/2020 10:01

My Dad always sliced a mars bar then shared the slices out between the family (they were a much more generous size then)
It was a real treat and we were all very happy with our little slices.
The standing up to wipe your bum thing. I do this and thought that was the norm. I'm amazed that it's not! Twisting round while sitting on the toilet seems like it will be very awkward.

I will now have to do a survey of as many people as I can to get percentages of who do and who don't.

I can do the ear rumble. Those of you who say you can't. You must 'hear' it when you yawn though? It can't be helped surely

BertieBotts · 03/02/2020 10:34

No, I don't sneeze when I look into a bright light. Like I said I've heard about it, but never come across it until DS2!

Therebythedoor · 03/02/2020 10:55

@user1333796

LOL. That is my favourite comfort food and sometimes I might have a 'hint' of grated cheese on top...

nameisnotimportant · 03/02/2020 11:03

@MiniMum97 @amazedmummy omg I thought I was the only one 😂 I love cold toast too ! I call it bed and breakfast toast, because the toast is always cold by the time it comes out at a b&b !

Fuddlestix · 03/02/2020 11:09

@Fleetheart Yeees at the Bovril on toast. It's still one of my favourite things. I was shocked when I was an adult and couldn't find it alongside marmite in the shop. People use it as gravy or as my partner Informed me, in horror after he saw me spreading it on my toast, it was a hot drink.

springrollover · 03/02/2020 11:54

@nameisnotimportant wow, I thought I was only one to call it Bed & Breakfast Toast, for exactly same reason. It's best toast ever Smile

WrackspurtsAndNargles62442 · 03/02/2020 12:30

I eat Weetabix both ways, depending on which I fancy!
It wasn't until quite recently I realised most children did not grow up leaving out a single malt whiskey with a mince pie for Father Christmas. Most do milk and cookies apparently! Grin

Tavimama · 03/02/2020 12:49

Love a runny boiled egg with a spoon of Bovril mixed in. Toast with marmalade and marmite. Cheese sandwiches with marmite and peanut butter. Vanilla ice cream with a spoonful of peanut butter or nutella on top. Sliced tomatoes have to be salted, as does lettuce. Mum always has celery with peanut butter or cheese spread in the middle.

ArthurMorgan · 03/02/2020 14:06

Hot dogs, packet noodles and beans all mixed together for tea.. About 4 nights a week (mum wasn't exactly an accomplished cook.... 😂)

I gag at the thought now 🤢

ArthurMorgan · 03/02/2020 14:06

Oo but jam in rich tea biscuits when I was poorly was delish!

Secretlifeofme · 03/02/2020 14:21

Nothing to add as such but just wondering, can you make a hot drink with Marmite like you can with Bovril, does anyone know?

ImportantWater · 03/02/2020 14:53

most children did not grow up leaving out a single malt whiskey with a mince pie for Father Christmas. Most do milk and cookies apparently!

We did sherry and mince pie

Tavimama · 03/02/2020 15:07

We did a bottle of lager, mince pie and a carrot.

HerRoyalFattyness · 03/02/2020 15:10

We did lager, mince pie and a carrot too.
Now do the same with my kids. Father Christmas needs the alcohol to warm his tummy.

Lazydaisydaydream · 03/02/2020 15:25

@BritneyPeedOnALadybug I can do the shiver thing Grin

steppemum · 03/02/2020 15:26

It was only ever hot water as well, a cold tank to feed the immersion heater or something like that. Cold water should have been OK to drink unless your house was plumbed badly.

not true.
Many houses had cold water tanks which supplied all the cold water except the kitchen tap. So you were only allowed to drink from the kitchen tap.
It wasn't just a header tank for the hot water