RE: JG and the dinner party. Your unappreciative guests are the rude ones.
It seems a sign of the times that simple social graces are disappearing in this self-centered, all-about-me world. Call me old school but when I receive an invitation to dinner, I feel honored rather than entitled. If my host/hostess enjoys my company enough to invite me into their home and prepare my meal, I am THANKFUL for WHATEVER is placed on the table. My dietary restrictions are MY problem to solve. I can simply send a POLITE decline if I lack options. Bringing my own entrée is not only a simple solution but adding to the feast is generally viewed by most as a kind gesture of appreciation for having been invited. It also serves as a polite way to quietly reveal your preference to your host/hostess who may remember and consider it in a future invitation. Your effort will show you care more about enjoying the company of friends rather than whining about why the meal isn’t “all about me.”
Notwithstanding, I would have left out the line in the invitation about not hesitating to decline. It does have a connotation of “take it or leave it.” It was an unnecessary message that left yourself open to rude and hurtful remarks for your otherwise thoughtful gesture to folks you obviously care about. It’s better to allow your guests to accept or decline without condition or explanation.
Where I come from, friends who pipe up about your rudeness for not accommodating them in this way aren’t the friends you want and probably shouldn’t have been invited in the first place. Your real friends are the ones who will stay and help you do the dishes afterwards!
RE: JG and the dinner party. Your unappreciative guests are the rude ones.
It seems a sign of the times that simple social graces are disappearing in this self-centered, all-about-me world. Call me old school but when I receive an invitation to dinner, I feel honored rather than entitled. If my host/hostess enjoys my company enough to invite me into their home and prepare my meal, I am THANKFUL for WHATEVER is placed on the table. My dietary restrictions are MY problem to solve. I can simply send a POLITE decline if I lack options. Bringing my own entrée is not only a simple solution but adding to the feast is generally viewed by most as a kind gesture of appreciation for having been invited. It also serves as a polite way to quietly reveal your preference to your host/hostess who may remember and consider it in a future invitation. Your effort will show you care more about enjoying the company of friends rather than whining about why the meal isn’t “all about me.”
Notwithstanding, I would have left out the line in the invitation about not hesitating to decline. It does have a connotation of “take it or leave it.” It was an unnecessary message that left yourself open to rude and hurtful remarks for your otherwise thoughtful gesture to folks you obviously care about. It’s better to allow your guests to accept or decline without condition or explanation.
Where I come from, friends who pipe up about your rudeness for not accommodating them in this way aren’t the friends you want and probably shouldn’t have been invited in the first place. Your real friends are the ones who will stay and help you do the dishes afterwards!