When guests are told that we'd like to eat by 4 because we have an early day tomorrow, and they're still not here at 6, at what point is it acceptable to go ahead and eat? I have called their cell 3 times and gotten voicemail- and they are the only guests we invited, so I can't use the "my other guests were hungry so we went ahead" excuse. I've spent all day cooking and we're starving.
2007-12-25 11:12:32 · 32 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
It's OK to start dinner at the appointed hour, whether your guests are there or not. If they have called to say they will be a bit late, it would be good to wait a few minutes.
Your guests aren't coming. They are the rude ones for not calling ahead.
2007-12-25 11:15:58 · answer #1 · answered by Dan H 7 · 5⤊ 0⤋
It's bad form to be that late and not call. So you were in a perfect position to go ahead and dine. Classy guests would have expected to have gone ahead without them. They may have had other plans and did not have the finesse to call and let you know. The next time you speak to them or encounter them, be polite, say you quite enjoyed the meal and move on. Spend your efforts on folks who not only love your company but invite you to their place.
Knowing that these folks were toast in my books, and it was not just a Tuesday Night wing night, I would send them a bill for food, labour, and tip-just like restaurant would! That's exactly how they treated you. Guaranteed they will think twice before not calling someone...
2007-12-25 11:37:23 · answer #2 · answered by q2tango 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would have started eating by 4:30, they're the ones being rude, not you! You don't need any excuse for going on ahead!
2007-12-25 11:17:07 · answer #3 · answered by bainaashanti 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
This Christmas I had something very similar happen to me. I cooked for two days getting ready and my sister arrived more than 30 minutes after we were supposed to eat and more than two and a half hours after she said she was going to arrive. By then I has wrapped up all of the appetizers that I had prepared. I told her that I was not cooking when she finally showed up to eat.
Next year I will go to a soup kitchen or some place where I am appreciated. I am still very very sad.
2007-12-28 14:51:50 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If they haven't responded to your calls, maybe something happened to them?
Go ahead and eat (after 4:45pm) and if they show up, say that you got hungry and tried to contact them and were worried about them...??
When you do get in touch with them, express your concern and apologize for eating without them.
G-d forbid anything bad has happened to them, like a car accident or illness, you won't have left nasty voice-mails, and will have given them the benefit of the doubt.
If they just blew you off, then they just might feel bad that they made you worry, and realize that you made them wait.
If they don't apologize at that point, stop associating with them, because they are uncivil, rude and selfish.
2007-12-25 11:50:07 · answer #5 · answered by Juggling Frogs 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I agree with the others. I would have started dinner without them and when they got there told them dinner was over. You thought they weren't coming since there was no answer on the cell phone and they didn't call ahead to say they would be late. I would NOT offer them dinner. If you offer it this time they will continue to be inconsiderate whenever you invite them.
GOSH! How rude of them!!!!
2007-12-25 14:15:18 · answer #6 · answered by Indya M 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Eat. They are extremely rude and by not eating you will be punishing the tummy's of your loved ones who are there. That is not good behavior on their part, but you need to go ahead and enjoy the day. If they haven't answered the phone or called back then it's their fault.
2007-12-25 11:18:09 · answer #7 · answered by happek1828 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
In my home when dinner is ready it's time to serve. People who are told a time to arrive have the responsiblity to either show up on time or call to note their later arrival. However, dinner is still when dinner is done and ready to be served. I do not hold a perfectly prepared dinner for rude guests. So don't feel you have to ruin your preparations for those who just didn't care. Eat!!
2007-12-25 13:06:11 · answer #8 · answered by dawnb 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Honestly, if they are two hours late i say eat
if you spent all day cooking you shouldn't have to wait for them to come and then not be able to enjoy the food because its cold
if they show up later tell them they were late, the food was getting cold they can bring some leftovers home
its not your fault if they're being rude
2007-12-25 11:21:28 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
If it was we'd like to eat by 4, and they said ok, I'd be eating at 4:30, no later than that. They can deal with warm ups.
2007-12-26 03:57:14 · answer #10 · answered by Terri 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋