Marble Rye Episode of Seinfeld

[LBIJim]

That episode was just on a bit earlier tonight. Was Susan's mother rude for not putting out the marble rye that George's parents brought over? Is a hostess obligated to serve something that a guest brings unexpectedly?

For a larger dinner party, I'd say it's OK not to put out the rye. For a smaller dinner like in the show, well, it's not rude, but it probably WOULD be better to serve it. Even Susan's mother was flustered when she realized she forgot about the bread. But IMO it was just a minor faux pas, not the federal case George's father was making out of it.

Definitely not OK to "steal" the rye back like George's father did.

And in 1994 or so, a marble rye cost $6???? That seems kind of high for the times even in a notable NYC bakery.

 

[ronandannette]

That episode was just on a bit earlier tonight. Was Susan's mother rude for not putting out the marble rye that George's parents brought over? Is a hostess obligated to serve something that a guest brings unexpectedly?

For a larger dinner party, I'd say it's OK not to put out the rye. For a smaller dinner like in the show, well, it's not rude, but it probably WOULD be better to serve it. Even Susan's mother was flustered when she realized she forgot about the bread. But IMO it was just a minor faux pas, not the federal case George's father was making out of it.

Definitely not OK to "steal" the rye back like George's father did.

And in 1994 or so, a marble rye cost $6???? That seems kind of high for the times even in a notable NYC bakery.

Tough one. For anything other than the most casual get together, I would groan inwardly if a dinner guest brought an unexpected "food offering". I would feel obligated to serve it though and would be ticked if it messed up my menu, which I plan very carefully when having company. As a guest myself I wouldn't dream of taking food. Flowers or a bottle of wine or spirits or maybe a box of chocolates at the very outside. Food - no.

 

[mombrontrent]

Tough one. For anything other than the most casual get together, I would groan inwardly if a dinner guest brought a "food offering". I would feel obligated to serve it though and would be ticked if it messed up my menu, which I plan very carefully when having company. As a guest myself I wouldn't dream of taking food. Flowers or a bottle of wine or spirits or maybe a box of chocolates at the very outside. Food - no.

Yes, I agree with you. I do not think a host is obligated to serve any food offerings or wine brought by a dinner guest. It's optional not mandatory. I love Seinfeld though and that episode was great.

 

[Bluestars]

If someone brings a food item to a dinner party, it seems like it should be offered to everyone when the rest of the food is served. I don't think it's rude not to serve it though.

Marbled rye. I don't think I've ever had it. I love Seinfeld. I laugh just as hard at the reruns that are still on today.

 

[ariel71]

Does the answer change if it's a Big Salad?

 

[Skywalker]

...not the federal case George's father was making out of it.

Like he does about absolutely everything lol.

I love this episode. My boys have seen probably every Seinfeld except this one. They have never managed to catch it, ever. It has fabled status in our house one day they will see the Marble Rye episode. Its their white whale lol.

 

[wishesuponastar]

If someone brought food to my dinner party I would serve it. I would think it is rude not to do so.

 

[goofyintoronto]

If someone brought food to my dinner party I would serve it. I would think it is rude not to do so.

This.

That episode was just on a bit earlier tonight. Was Susan's mother rude for not putting out the marble rye that George's parents brought over? Is a hostess obligated to serve something that a guest brings unexpectedly?

For a larger dinner party, I'd say it's OK not to put out the rye. For a smaller dinner like in the show, well, it's not rude, but it probably WOULD be better to serve it. Even Susan's mother was flustered when she realized she forgot about the bread. But IMO it was just a minor faux pas, not the federal case George's father was making out of it.

Definitely not OK to "steal" the rye back like George's father did.

And in 1994 or so, a marble rye cost $6???? That seems kind of high for the times even in a notable NYC bakery.

I think a large dinner party is the perfect opportunity to serve the marble rye. Moreso than a small dinner party.

Not sure I think its rude NOT to serve it. But I think its the polite thing to do when someone brings food. I always serve food thats brought by a guest.

Seinfeld is my absolute fave sitcom. I can watch it over and over and over....

 

[Gumbo4x4]

Does the answer change if it's a Big Salad?

Shut up, you old bag!

 

[FlightlessDuck]

Would it be a breach of protocol to ask the guest who brought the item?

 

[mjkacmom]

Well, here is the thing, it's from a bakery. We have tons of bakeries here, the bread is awesome, but it doesn't keep. All of the bakeries sell day old bread for making bread crumbs. So, for this reason, I'd say you would have to serve it.

Most people I know bring wine. My sister always does, because she is a big wine snob, and won't drink what the regular folks drink.

 

[frndshpcptn]

And now I want a big salad with a slice of marble rye for lunch...

 

[Gumbo4x4]

And now I want a big salad with a slice of marble rye for lunch...

You should skip the Bobka when it's dessert time though. I also do not recommend the black & white cookie. Go with the fat free frozen yogurt

 

[Laugh O. Grams]

If someone brought food to my dinner party I would serve it. I would think it is rude not to do so.

Really? Rude? We had a guest (cousin's wife) bring over a noodle salad to our large family Xmas dinner party after all guests were expressly told on the invites that all food and drink would be provided and to please come an enjoy. I told her thank you for the dish, but we were all set and that we'd put it in the fridge and enjoy it later in the week. Maybe her feeling were hurt a bit, as she ended up sneaking the dish out of our fridge and taking it home with her at the end of the evening, but she put us in a really awkward position of having to kindly say thanks but no thanks. Bottle of wine or booze? Sure, bring it on. Food? Unless it's a potluck, no thank you.

 

[Andtototoo]

It was bread from a bakery, which means it's probably not going to taste all that great in 24 hours, so I would serve it with the meal. I would also assume the guest meant for me to do so.

 

[frndshpcptn]

You should skip the Bobka when it's dessert time though. I also do not recommend the black & white cookie. Go with the fat free frozen yogurt

Or some muffin tops. Yum

 

[gwynne]

Or some muffin tops. Yum

I'm thinking when Dec 23rd rolls around again I'm adding marble rye to our festivus feast. It just seems right.

 

[Jamby001]

Really? Rude? We had a guest (cousin's wife) bring over a noodle salad to our large family Xmas dinner party after all guests were expressly told on the invites that all food and drink would be provided and to please come an enjoy. I told her thank you for the dish, but we were all set and that we'd put it in the fridge and enjoy it later in the week. Maybe her feeling were hurt a bit, as she ended up sneaking the dish out of our fridge and taking it home with her at the end of the evening, but she put us in a really awkward position of having to kindly say thanks but no thanks. Bottle of wine or booze? Sure, bring it on. Food? Unless it's a potluck, no thank you.

Why not just put it out rather than risk hurt feelings?

 

[U2_rocks!]

I definitely would put bread on the table - bread goes with any and everything!

Noodle salad .... hmmmm. I wouldn't want to offend, and maybe I'd ask the bringer if she was really looking forward to having some that night, to get an idea if she brought it to serve. If I were a bit embarrassed that noodle salad did not fit with the overall menu I might thank the bringer at the table, so everyone would know it wasn't my idea (I can be insecure like that at times).

 

[NewRVLady]

we are wine snobs too
we always bring a bottle when visiting....esp one family, whom we LOVE, but they serve a relative's home made wine