Frozen Canuck
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jun 10, 2015
I care! Once my party is over, I use the leftovers to feed my family the rest of the week! lol My hospitality only goes so far - when the party is over, get out of my house and don't take anything with you!We have family that will literally clean you out of house and home if you opened up your fridge and pantry to them carte blanche
So there you go....now you know someone who doesn't like people to pack up all of her leftovers "to go" without asking.
I have actually had someone ASK for a portion of the leftovers (more than once...same person) after I have had them over for a meal, even though I was needing to feed a family of five at the time. It struck me as extremely odd, but this was a good friend who has done stuff for us in the past, so I didn't want to be petty; however, in my head was trying to calculate how much I could send her with and still have enough for my family. It would feel selfish to say "no," but when I had planned the meal that I was serving her for lunch, I did so with the full intention of having the leftovers for us for dinner, so I wouldn't have to cook twice, whereas I got the feeling that my leftovers were going home to feed hers. The requests were along the lines of, "This was soooooo good! I would like to take some of this home so that others can see how good it is too! Can I get a container?" Now, I'm not against sending extra food home with others (and I have done so) when it truly is extra, but I would like to be the one to offer it to you, not be put on the spot where I would feel rude or awkward for denying what is apparently your "perfectly reasonable request."
Guest: Can I bring anything?
Me: Bring what you guys want to drink.
Guest shows up empty handed: Oh we’ll just drink water! *drinks most of DH’s beer, most of my Diet Dr Pepper and the kids Gatorade and juice bags*
Me: It was great to see you, have a good night!
Guest: You too! *grabs my last soda while their kids grab the last of my kids juice bags*
Me:
Yep. I've been on the receiving end of this scenario at least twice as well, from two different families. Once was when we were packing picnic lunches for both families to go on an outing together. We had limited space, so we went around and asked each person what they wanted packed for their drink. Both of the guests' kids (very much old enough to know what they want and stick to it) said they just wanted water, while my kids picked some other kind of drink. I specifically asked them, with their mom present, "Are you sure? We have lots of other options," and then proceeded to list them off. Nope. They were adamant that they only wanted bottled water. Okay. That's what I'll pack you then. Of course as soon as we get set to serve the meal, guess what two kids leap in and grab the only two lemonades (or whatever it was), leaving my kids to drink their bottled water. Their mom didn't say anything to them at all and I was caught off guard, or would have spoken up before they tore into them.
Our second experience was with a different family and it was very similar to yours. They showed up without anything after being told they could bring what they wanted to drink (we were providing absolutely everything else) and then they proceeded to drink their way through the beer and other beverages that everyone else had contributed to the coolers. I mean, we aren't so stingy as to begrudge somebody a couple of beers or whatever, but when you are on at least your fourth or so (times the three people)...yeah, now I'm raising an eyebrow at you.