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I'm steamed!!! I don't know if I'm over reacting or not, but I am so steamed right now! My best-friend's mom-in-law & sis-in-law are visiting from Scotland. A few weeks ago I offered to cook supper for all of them while they visiting. ('Them' includes my friend (Terri), her husband, her daughter, her boyfriend, her son & daughter-in-law, plus my son too.) I thought it was a generous offer. Tonight was the night I was to cook. I was told that her mom-in-law doesn't eat beef. I planned the following: baked chicken breast & shrimp with carbonera (sp?) sauce served over pasta w/brocoli, tossed salad & garlic bread. This afternoon, I made the carbonera sauce. I put bacon in my carbonera sauce. I baked the chicken. All I was going to do at her house was cook the shrimp, boil the pasta/w/brocoli, make the salad & bake the garlic bread. About 5:15pm, I was getting ready to head over to her place. I heard my cell phone ring, but didn't get to it in time. It was Terri. She left a message letting me know that her mom-in-law is a vegeterian & her sis-in-law like chicken or seafood! So...I called her back but wasn't able to get her. I left her a message & told her that I had already made the carbonera sauce & it has bacon in it, along with chicken & had planned to cook shrimp at her house. I also said that we would have to plan for another night. She called & asked if I was free tomorrow night. I am, but to be honest, my Monday's at work are very stressful & tiring. She said her sis-in-law only eats beef. Then she said something like "What about if you pick up steaks?" I said "No. I can't afford that. Besides, you said your mom-in-law is a vegetarian." Then she said "She is, but she eats seafood and chicken." OK...I guess I was wrong thinking vegetarians don't eat meat. She also said that both eat pork. WTF??? (Sorry) I told her I would be there tomorrow after work, but it would be later because I generally don't get out on Monday's until close to 6:30pm, she said "Ok, see then." I think I'm going to call her in the morning & just tell her that I know I will be too tired to cook & visit. Am I over reacting?

This message has been edited. Last edited by: fuzzypeach,

Take what you already prepared, if it's not down the disposal. If it's in the freezer, take it out. She told you that her mom in law at chicken and seafood. Isn't that what you prepared. If she balks, ask her which part of the chicken or seafood is classified as vegetarian because there are probably a lot of vegetarians that would probably like to know...along with you and me.

Sounds like she just wanted some input in the menu and what you had prepared wasn't what her tastebuds wanted that night. You don't look a gift horse in the mouth...especially one that put forth as much effort as it sounds like you did. You might want to pick up a little piece of round steak and stir-fry it to go with the carbonara sauce. Just take a little of it out before you put the shrimp in. Just a thought.

As much as you would like to go postal, take a breath but ask the questions you need answers to and let her know how you feel.

TQ

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Schu'sALegend,

My response would be a very polite, "I'm sorry you won't be able to enjoy what I prepared for you. I'm afraid I won't be available for any other time than originally planned."

You don't need to be anything but polite, but you sure don't need to let yourself be treated like a doormat. And don't give any reason why you are declining to try again. "It's really not convenient for me" is all you owe them, and you won't find youself having to parry arguments against any stated reason.

i would still invite them over, you still have the food ?
put a salad in front of them, and serve yourself your,wonderful prepared dinner.
tell them sorry, but no body told me,

I have to say that was very rude of your friend, and I agree with Frodo...but I would also serve cheese on some crackers for their whiny, ungrateful attitudes. Sometimes people just do not appreciate someone who is nice! It is always better to let someone know AHEAD of time if there are food specialties like vegetarian or allergies to work with, but some people assume you know I guess (or something like that )
Crafdragon

Don't let them get to you, I would serve what you prepared and chances are that they won't complain about it. Many people these days seem to demand things instead of accepting the hospitality that you offer. Heck my own mother and father inlaw demand that my wife and me treat them to a five star restraunt on their birthdays. They even know that we can't afford it especially after I lost my job overseas. They didn't even send my wife a birthday card on her birthday, no call or anything. My side of the family is a lot better thats for sure.

this reminds me of my sister and my picky eater nephew.
he would not eat dinner, wanted something else.
my sister did not get all mad. she just said
go to bed, tomorrow is a new day.
next morning for breakfast. there was the plate of food.
he balked and didnt want it
she said ok, go play
lunch time rolled around same plate
same thing he sdaid no.
she told him, thats ok, it will be here at dinner. he ate it.. no problems after that

Yea... I hear people talk about how "my cat won't eat ______."

Lady... the problem is that your cat ain't hungry enough. Buy dry cat food that won't spoil, and leave it in the dish. Sooner or later the cat will eat it. I imagine the same theory works on people.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Rick Marinelli,

I did tell her what I had planned on cooking at least a couple of weeks before. I ended up giving half of the sauce & 2 chicked breast to the guys that live upstairs. (They enjoyed it & invited us to supper last weekend) On Monday night, it was open house at my sons (& her daughters) high school...so we all just ended up going out for mexican food. I let it go, but couldn't ever figure out exactly what the heck. BTW...I reread my orginal post. I did a typo that made no sense. I meant to say that Terri's sister-in-law doesn't eat chicken or seafood. I am not use to being around adults who are real picky. I know that everyone has something that they don't like (I'm not a huge fan of okra or liver/gizzards/organ meats). Terri's husband doesn't eat veggies. The only veg he eats is green peas. Seriously. I guess I should have expected his mom & sis to be picky. LOL! Anyway, we all had fun at the mexican place. His mom & sis are really nice & seemed to enjoy themselves.

Glad things worked out well. At least you made better friends with family upstairs. You now know at least a few things they like to eat...for future reference.

By going to the Mexican restaurant, you now have a little better insight into what the others like. At least you know they like Mexican! Hahaha. You also now have a relationship to build a foundation on. Next time, tell Terri it's their turn to cook...

TQ

I dont think ur over reacting, ur will within ur right to be mad. Ur taking the time to cook a gr8 meal and they r stepping all over ur toes and making changes on the fly. Shame on them.

who paid for the mexican dinner?