Is it unreasonable to expect someone to turn up on time?

seven-day-weekend

missbiggles1 wrote: »

Sometimes the best bit of having people round for dinner is sitting round having aperitives and nibbles before the meal itself, just as it when going out for a meal. I'd hate to go out to a restaurant and have the first course put in front of me within 20 minutes.

As you say, we're all different.:)

But when I go out for a meal, I want it there asap, preferably no more than twenty minutes after I've ordered, which I will do as soon as I sit down. Talk during and afterwards . Same when people come to me for dinner. Start in dining room with drink, then eat after 20 mins-half hour, then go through to sitting room for more talk and drink. Go home whenever they like.

Another thing I can't stand is the hour's wait between main course and sweet that some people have. What's that all about?

TBH, if I came to your house, after about forty minutes I would start thinking 'where the heck is this food they promised me, couldn't they get it ready in time' and would feel a bit put out that,from my point of view, you had not bothered to get it ready. I suppose if you came to mine you'd feel I couldn't wait to get rid of you

We learn something every day.

Or maybe I just like eating too much.

lostinrates

Goodness.

I invite people to my house for a meal with an expectation of a half hour wait. 8 for 8:30 for example.

That gives us time for late comers ( some people come from further afield and realistically cannot arrive on the nail of time) , time to have an aperitif and nibbles, gives every one a chance to come in, meet and greet, use the loo, wash there hands with out forming a queue.

And for me to do last minute cooking.

Restaurants I expect to wait for a meal if its cooked to order. Some dishes I expect to take longer, some shorter, but the table's order will obviously coordinate, unless its waggamamma, lol.

Some places I expect it to arrive quickly . Its not necessary in the places favour, though might not be! Its not what I think of as an easy going evening meal experience though.

Bennifred

Punctuality: The politeness of Kings. :cool:

notanewuser

seven-day-weekend wrote: »

Another thing I can't stand is the hour's wait between main course and sweet that some people have. What's that all about?

When we have our winter family gathering (others call it Xmas) a 2 course meal lasts all afternoon and evening. One big plate of food at around 2pm and nobody has room for pud until at least 7pm (I think it was 10pm one year and we all had to put pj bottoms on to fit it in! :rotfl:)

Buzzybee90

lostinrates wrote: »

Goodness.

I invite people to my house for a meal with an expectation of a half hour wait. 8 for 8:30 for example.

That gives us time for late comers ( some people come from further afield and realistically cannot arrive on the nail of time) , time to have an aperitif and nibbles, gives every one a chance to come in, meet and greet, use the loo, wash there hands with out forming a queue.

And for me to do last minute cooking.

Restaurants I expect to wait for a meal if its cooked to order. Some dishes I expect to take longer, some shorter, but the table's order will obviously coordinate, unless its waggamamma, lol.

Some places I expect it to arrive quickly . Its not necessary in the places favour, though might not be! Its not what I think of as an easy going evening meal experience though.

Agree, it could quite easily take 20 mins sorting out coats and drinks alone!

Peter333

I agree with the 'gimme my food now' crew.

Seriously, If I am asked for a meal at someone's house for say 7pm, I wouldn't expect the meal for 7pm, but I would envisage that the food should be on the table by say 7.45pm at the latest. If it passed 8pm, I would start getting tetchy.

We went to a meal at a friend's house once. They asked us to come for about 6pm. We had lunch at 12.30pm and went to their house at 6pm (the arranged time,) and the food was served at a quarter to nine!

I was so hungry, I could've ate a scabby horse. If I had known that it was going to be almost NINE O CLOCK before it was ready, I would've had a bite to eat at about half four or something!

If someone asks you for a meal for say 6pm, then the food should really be on the table by seven at the latest IMO. Preferably half six.

seven-day-weekend

I would actually expect the major part of the cooking to be done so that all we have to do when guests arrive (at the time you've stated ) is , greet them , give them a drink, take their coats, show them where to sit, give them some nibbles and by the time they have finished their drink the food is coming to the table.

That's how we do ours anyway. Having said that there is always a maximum of four guests and us, because we don't have enough seats for anyone else. I suppose if you've got dinner for twenty it would all take longer.

pawsies

I know. Delivery drivers happily deliver your item 6 hours after when it states they may be there >.<

dandelionclock30

So what have you decided to do OP?

lemontart

I am paranoid about being late to point I will always stop next to port or airport if traveling on the night before, have been reduced to tears if a bus is late making me late for work etc My mother is always late so have gotten into habit of telling her 30 mins to hr earlier to ensure I am not pulling my hair out. My o.h is a faffer so takes an hour to do what I take 5 mins to do when going out - again drives me bonkers - daughter is the same - now do it all myself as quicker but means I end up in agony due to physical health but not in tears of frustration.

And as for packing up tent after holiday 2 flipping hrs to do what should have taken 20 mins !