Buffet etiquette 11 November 2007 at 8:21PM edited 9 February 2016 at 7:17PM in Special occasions & other celebrations 38 replies 8.5K views

madoldbat

Oh! dear a fussy eater:rolleyes: now if this was a child we would simply say not good enough!They must learn to adapt and find somthing on their plate they can eat that is how we behave in polite company.
Please tell me why an adult should think it acceptable to only eat certain foods and cause difficulties when a child is not allowed to.I dont eat fish (yuk!) but have eaten a tiny amount if that is what I was presented with.After all I can eat later.
Also sandwiches are not an essential part of a buffet so many other things are less time consuming.
Enjoy YOUR buffet Im sure your family will appreciate what a caring hostess you are even if there are no sandwiches.

poppett

So, she's the fussy eater but it is your child who has a serious allergy. Does your cousins wife know this? If so I'm sure she would understand if you didn't pamper to her fussiness because I'm damn sure I wouldn't put my child at risk to please her. Do a buffet with a variey of foods and if she doesn't like any, well then she'll have to go without!

morganb

poppett wrote: »

So, she's the fussy eater but it is your child who has a serious allergy. Does your cousins wife know this? If so I'm sure she would understand if you didn't pamper to her fussiness because I'm damn sure I wouldn't put my child at risk to please her. Do a buffet with a variey of foods and if she doesn't like any, well then she'll have to go without!

Excellent, my sentiments exactly.

elona

I agree with you that food in your house should be safe for your son.

But I am worried about your mother's attitude that you would be a bad "hostess". Does she fully understand the seriousness of your son's allergy?

Better a "normal" hostess than a neglectful mother.

morganb

Yes, I did have a blazing row with my Mum about this. She thought I was 'spoiling' my son by allowing him to dictate what we could (or in this case couldn't) eat! And that I was bringing him up to always get his own way.
I think Pizza, chips and sausage roll might be on the menu for the next family visit.

NBirdy

Umm, surely him getting his own way would be for him to eat whatever he wants? I can't see how keeping the catering simple so that all your kids can eat everything that's available, is spoiling him! And at 3, does he understand what things might have egg in them?

I can't eat normal bread, but if I'm going somewhere that this might be a problem (bbq can be tricky) then I either eat beforehand or take a couple of pitta bread in my handbag - the fussy eater should be used to doing similar. And even as an adult, I do find it a little frustrating/depressing/difficult sometimes when theres a ton of yummy bread-based stuff on offer that I can't have - goodness knows how a 3 year old would feel!

sethsgran

I agree that you shouldn't serve eggs, this is your home and your sons well being is your priority not pampering after fussy adults. Make a huge shepherds pie or lasagna and serve it with salad and crusty bread you deserve to enjoy the time together and not be worrying about if they will eat or not. When mine were little I always offered to take a couple of dishes along to get togethers, that way if they really didn't like much of what was offered they had some familar foods to eat but they always were encouraged to try a couple of knew things. It also meant the hostess didn't have all the work and expense.

moneysaver12

you shouldn't have to serve eggs when your son is alergic to them, and i can't believe your mums attuide, you are doing the best thing for your children

morganb

Thanks guys for all the support. I am sticking to my guns. You never know, I might even get said fussy eater to enjoy a cheese sandwich ha ha!
The shepherds pie / lasagne is a great idea, and this is what I would have normally done but ... said fussy person doesn't eat mince / chopped tomatoes / peas have to be a certain size, etc., etc.

Clairebear789b

No definately don't serve eggs. I'm sure as fusssy eater as she is she wouldn't want to put your son at risk. Go along with the french bread, maybe cold meats, hamm, turkely slices, suagsage rolls etc. Don't worry with sandwiches - I think people don't really like a made sandwich at a buffet anyway.