Wednesday, June 09, 2010

Even Prisoners Get Bread And Water

Last week my mother ran an errand at home for me and Ed. While at the place waiting on line, she met another woman she started talking to. They struck up a conversation and made plans to get together this week.

My mother said, "We could meet at Andy's Grill for lunch."

The woman waved her hand and said, "Oh no, not at all. Just come to our house."

"As long as you promise you won't fuss," my mother said.

"I won't." she answered. Boy, if only they knew how true those words would turn out to be.

So my mother and Frank made plans to go to this woman's house to spend some time with her and her husband. They arrived with a bouquet of sunny yellow flowers, excited to be meeting possible new friends.

Well, they had a nice enough time but SHOCKINGLY the woman did not serve lunch. She didn't even have any snacks or munchies. Now since lunch wasn't expressly discussed, I suppose she could get a pass, but the exchange above in MY MIND implies lunch. They sat in the living room and talked. The husband did offer my step-father a glass of wine, but since he doesn't drink he declined. At some point after that the woman got up to get herself a bottle of water but didn't offer anything to my parents. WTF is wrong with people??

I don't know if it's an Arizona thing or if it's a cultural thing or if it's a 2010 thing, but how do you invite someone to your house and not only not give them a tour of your home, but not serve ANYTHING in the way of food?

If people came to my house, whether lunch was discussed or not, there would be more food than you could imagine. Appetizers and finger foods, a lunch prepared just in case anyone got hungry, a gamut of beverages and of course, coffee and cake (or some sort of dessert).

I am SHOCKED when I hear that someone has gone to someone else's house and was not even offered a glass of water. This has happened too many times in my life for it to be ignored. It's your duty to at least offer a beverage to your guest. I don't care if they're family or strangers.

If it's family, you still offer. If you don't want to "wait on them" then just say, "Make yourself at home." and let them get what they want. But you OFFER. If it's a stranger, you absolutely offer. And if they're the kind of person that you get a comfortable vibe from and feel they'd be receptive, just say "Glasses are up there, Diet Coke or water in the fridge - help yourself."

So I don't know if they'll ever see these people again, but if there is a next time, I hope those people get their act together and buy a bag of pretzels or something.


~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
1 YEAR AGO:
The View From Cap Sante
2 YEARS AGO:
It’s Time For One Of These Again
3 YEARS AGO:
They Called My Name And Clutched The Collar Of My Shirt With Their Evil Cheese Stuffed Fingers
4 YEARS AGO:
Marlin Perkins Must Live In The Neighborhood
5 YEARS AGO: Sorry, no post on this day.

4 comments:

Angela said...

Umm wow?!? People are so self absorbed and rude. If I were in that position I'd decline any future invites unless they involved dinner in a restaurant. Of course then you have to make sure the rude folks don't expect you to pick up the tab. Ugh. People suck.

Ms. Crawford said...

How awkward!! Poor manners, poor upbringing. Now a days you have boys wearing girl pants, it is no wonder people are being extremly rude when they invite others over. I am just sorry your mom and Frank had to go through all of that. That just sucks, plain and simple:(

Gil said...

You can't make these things up!

june in florida said...

Glad your Mom didn't go alone, they sound strange.