There is a lady among my friends who is always hosting dinner parties. However each and every dish has a mothball aftertaste. We do not want to stop accepting her invitations, but we simply can’t stomach the taste any more… I have been nominated to gently tell her about this. Help!!!!!
2006-09-24 07:00:41 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
When you talk to her, I'd recommend not saying that a bunch of you thought this way. No one likes the feeling of being judged by a group.
Cliched as it is, honesty is the best policy. Mix that honesty with a smile and some laughter and you'll be fine.
2006-09-24 13:53:16 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Wow, those dishes don't seem very appetizing. I like what one other posted "bring a dish of your own". Another option may be to gently yet, try to make sure that you help her cook the food. Perhaps then you can find out if the mothball taste comes from where she's stored the dishes or in her cooking ingredients.
2006-09-24 23:05:27 · answer #2 · answered by Hill&Dale 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Ask her about the ingredients and ask "What is it, do you think, that causes that mothball aftertaste?" Act like it's no big deal, just curious. Hopefully, she will realize the problem and correct it and your tone will help her not feel embarrassed.
If this sounds too callous (it is intended to not be accusatory) then try helping her prepare the food or search her kitchen for the problem.
Otherwise, you have to just tell her, without adding any emotion or anything.
2006-09-24 14:07:47 · answer #3 · answered by Phoenix, Wise Guru 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There is no easy way to tell this poor woman that you don't like the after taste of her food. You just have to say I'm sorry your cooking is awful. There is no gentle way to say it Just say it or your going to spend the rest of your life tasting mouth balls. You may want to look into some cooking classes for her and ask her to join a couple with you.
2006-09-25 19:12:07 · answer #4 · answered by purrfectsandcastle 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You might kindly say, "That's an interesting spice, but it seems to disagree with me. Can you tell me what it is? I like your cooking, but that spice gives me some trouble and I need to avoid it."
If that doesn't work, offer to bring a dish to lighten the hostess role. That way you'll have something to eat when she cooks and you won't have to mention it.
Nicer to say something negative when you cover it with a little honey.
2006-09-24 14:11:21 · answer #5 · answered by Buffy Summers 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you ask her be prepared to get hit over the head with the frying pan. She COULD be trying to poison you? In any case, she's probably going to be royally pissed and not invite any of you to eat ever again, so problem solved!
2006-09-24 14:34:07 · answer #6 · answered by pinkrosegreeneyes bluerose 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
That's odd. Might she be adding a little paradichlorobenzene to the dishes she serves?
2006-09-24 14:12:29 · answer #7 · answered by digitalquirk 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Just stop eating that sounds dangerous for you.
2006-09-24 18:09:22 · answer #8 · answered by justthetwoofus 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋