I invited my new friend and her family to spend Christmas dinner over at our house. We cooked alot of foods, in addition to decorating our house and cleaning it before they came. We also packed lots of the leftover foods for them to take home and gave them a homemade brownie and pantone bread for christmas gifts
My friend sent us a thank you note but I didn't understand why she put "over the top" in the last sentence. Did she use the "over the top" phrase incorrectly or is it me?
Here is her thank you note:
"Dear S.,
Thank you so much for dinner and for all the gifts! We enjoyed the wonderful food you prepared. And the gifts you gave were just over the top. Thank you so much for everything."
~D., M., and E.
*Also, since we do not have many guests over to our house, I tend to spoil our guests.
2007-12-29 11:50:06 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
I normally would interpret the phrase "over the top" negatively, but I think in this case she meant it as a complement. Like "it was out of this world", or we were "over the moon".
It wouldn't have been my choice of words, but I'm pretty sure it was meant in a good way. If it weren't she would have said something like "you shouldn't have".
2007-12-29 11:57:44 · answer #1 · answered by Passenger (wow widow) 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
I think she meant as it was out of this world , much more than she expected .Her note was gracious and thankful of your efforts. You sound like a excellent and thoughtful host. She sound like a lovely appreciative guest! She wrote a thank you note so quickly too.
2007-12-29 11:53:52 · answer #2 · answered by yeah , yeah whatever 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
I think she was saying it to you as a compliment...my understanding of "over the top" would be like saying "wonderfully generous"
2007-12-29 11:59:30 · answer #3 · answered by CocoaGirl 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
She meant it as a complement, probably, and wasn't aware that "over the top" is not used that way.
2007-12-29 12:09:48 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
I'd interpret that term as meaning "unexpectedly, outstandingly wonderful".
A very nice compliment, I think they appreciate your personal touch.
2007-12-29 11:54:38 · answer #5 · answered by Zeera 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
"Over the top." I think that she probably meant that your gifts were awesome and she really liked them. That's probably it. Don't worry, I bet she loved them.
2007-12-29 12:38:15 · answer #6 · answered by Russian cutie 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
she wasn't being ungrateful, sarcastic, or critical. i understand it to mean while the dinner and hospitality were wonderful, the gifts were an unexpected icing on the cake.
i think it's you.
2007-12-29 12:21:49 · answer #7 · answered by loving 40+ 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
I think she was just complimenting your choice of gifts.
2007-12-29 11:56:25 · answer #8 · answered by nowyouknow 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Well, in this case, it's a compliment.
2007-12-29 11:54:09 · answer #9 · answered by Oh Dear Lily! 3 · 5⤊ 0⤋
it's a compliment here
2007-12-29 11:55:01 · answer #10 · answered by . 5 · 4⤊ 1⤋