Damn you picky eaters!

lyndausvi

Okay, not really, but you really making picking out a restaurant for 17 people really difficult.

Situation:

17 of us ranging in age from 13 to 71 are going to NYC.  My sister is a major planner, but also likes to be a martyr about always planning.    So DH and I were asked to pick out a restaurant for dinner one night.   DH knows about my sister's family and picked out 3 restaurants and sent it to them back in May.

Italian family style

steakhouse

american flare

Italian was eliminated because her kids are so picky they only like plain pasta (no sauce) and a side of meatballs.   Ookay. The other 2 options were just flat out ignored.

So 2 months later my sister is asking again.   I simply said we do not care where we eat.    She sends back an email saying she finds it hard to believe we do not care where.

Okay, lets think here.  We gave you 3 places we wanted to eat back in May.  You rejected all of them do to your kid's and husband's pickiness.    DH and me will find something to eat on ANY menu given to us.    True story.  Give us a menu and we will eat something.

So now my sister is playing the martyr card since once again she has to do the planning.    Umm, no honey, you HAVE to do the planning because of the 17 of us 4 of the 5 of you are so go damn picky we have to cater to you.

At least we have picked out a breakfast restaurant already.    2 months away and I'm already stressing about this weekend.

What is your FWP for the week?

emmaaa

I am a picky eater and when we are going out with a group of people to eat I always tell them that I will find something to eat. Most menus will have a steak or chicken fingers or even a salad. 

As a picky eater, I don't expect people to cater to me when I am the one who makes things difficult.

I'm sorry you have to deal with that. That is so frustrating. 

labro

Ugh that's really annoying. And what Italian place WON'T serve plain pasta? I just don't get how that wouldn't have worked out for her kids....

H and I like are like you, we could go anywhere and find something to eat. I just don't get how this is such a big deal for some people. Most menus now a days offer enough variety to find SOMETHING.

My FWP is I lost my access card in to the office so I have to be buzzed in until I get a replacement.

OliveOilsMom

I worked at an Italian place before, we were always asked for kids pasta to either be plain or with butter.  It was no big deal.

If this were my sister and she started to play the martyr, I would be calling her out!  I did pick places, 3 to be precise, and YOU shot them down.  Did you expect me to keep picking restaurants until YOUR family was satisfied?

And - do the kids not eat chicken fingers and fries?  Most places will have that for a kids menu!

I'm frustrated on your behalf!

luckya23

I am also a picky eater, but none of those sound like "out there" options...?? What restaurants has she chosen for the other nights??

My first world problem is what a crappy job the lady did on my nails last night.  First she tried to all kinds of up-charge me ($5 to take off my polish?? umm no, hand me that cotton ball!), and complained the whole time about how short my nails are.  The color I picked looked magenta in the bottle and went on a completely dull, flat maroon!  She didn't even fix the chips at the sides of my nails.

I don't know why I go to that place!! I can't stand it!!

ShesSoCold

My cousin will literally only eat breakfast food, spaghetti and meatballs and Papa John's cheesey bread. 

We've stopped catering to him and eat where we want. Normal people can only eat so much Italian food on consecutive days for lunch and dinner.

lyndausvi

The problem with the italian place was it was family style.  Having so many people we would have to have a pre-fix.    Since her kids only eat plain pasta that would limit what the rest of us could eat.  It was also expensive if you were only having plain pasta.   Not too bad if you ordered the good stuff.  Well for NYC prices it wasn't bad.

Have yet to find out what was wrong with the other two options. She just sent me over a steakhouse option.   Costs the same as our steakhouse option.  

It's just so weird.   

She wonders why she is always the planner?  Well I will tell you why.   If someone else tries to plan she rejects them anyway.  So what's the point?

Have I mentioned that DH is from NY and has cooked all over NYC?   He might have a little insight no?

wandajune6

That is ridiculous. I'd be so angry in your shoes.

It also makes me appreciate my niece a bit more. She's a very open-minded eater for a 3 year old. The only thing she won't eat? Bagels: she'll eat the lox and cream cheese off the top but toss the bagel itself.

I have 2 FWPs today:

1. The cherries I brought to work aren't sweet.

2. DH and I are going for dinner with a few coworkers tonight and DH can't decide which car to take (he's meeting me here): my car is our usual "city" car since it's tiny and easy with small, overcrowded downtown parking lots but the new car is so much more fun to drive- we just don't want to risk it getting banged up. We bought it Saturday. We drove my old car Saturday night and it was side-swiped near where we're going tonight so his protective instincts are killing him.

lyndausvi

luckya23 said:

I am also a picky eater, but none of those sound like "out there" options...?? What restaurants has she chosen for the other nights??

My first world problem is what a crappy job the lady did on my nails last night.  First she tried to all kinds of up-charge me ($5 to take off my polish?? umm no, hand me that cotton ball!), and complained the whole time about how short my nails are.  The color I picked looked magenta in the bottle and went on a completely dull, flat maroon!  She didn't even fix the chips at the sides of my nails.

I don't know why I go to that place!! I can't stand it!!

That is the only night her family will be there.      She is withing driving distance is just driving in for the day/night.  We are going lunch (not sure where yet), see the Lion king.   Adults will go drinking.  Then dinner.    Next morning breakfast, then we all head off in different directions.

DH and I are there from Thursday - Monday.  We have 3 other lunches and dinners to eat where ever we want.      DH  does a lot of scooby snacking in between.  Seriously, he will eat 3 meals and about 5 "snacks" a day.   It's pretty impressive.

stefuhknee

That's annoying. I still think the Italian place would have conceded to giving the kids plain pasta since you guys would have had such a large party.

My FWP is that I'm receiving my first shipment of Blue Apron meals today but my SO wont be home all week due to work so I am going to have to cook the meals for myself which is disappointing because I wanted him to try it with me.

lyndausvi

stefuhknee said:

That's annoying. I still think the Italian place would have conceded to giving the kids plain pasta since you guys would have had such a large party.

My FWP is that I'm receiving my first shipment of Blue Apron meals today but my SO wont be home all week due to work so I am going to have to cook the meals for myself which is disappointing because I wanted him to try it with me.

Did you notice the age range?  The youngest is 13.   The other "kids" are 16 and 17.    In the restaurant world they are adults.

stefuhknee

lyndausvi said:

stefuhknee said:

That's annoying. I still think the Italian place would have conceded to giving the kids plain pasta since you guys would have had such a large party.

My FWP is that I'm receiving my first shipment of Blue Apron meals today but my SO wont be home all week due to work so I am going to have to cook the meals for myself which is disappointing because I wanted him to try it with me.

Did you notice the age range?  The youngest is 13.   The other "kids" are 16 and 17.    In the restaurant world they are adults.

Yikes! You're right I missed that part. I was definitely thinking pre-school- elementary ages.

jenna8984

lyndausvi said:

stefuhknee said:

That's annoying. I still think the Italian place would have conceded to giving the kids plain pasta since you guys would have had such a large party.

My FWP is that I'm receiving my first shipment of Blue Apron meals today but my SO wont be home all week due to work so I am going to have to cook the meals for myself which is disappointing because I wanted him to try it with me.

Did you notice the age range?  The youngest is 13.   The other "kids" are 16 and 17.    In the restaurant world they are adults.

Shut up. I honest to God thought you were talking about kids between 2-7 years old. That is absurd that teenagers can't find SOMETHING like pasta in a cheese or scampi sauce, chicken fingers at the American place, a frigen burger or steak. I mean seriously, what do they eat?! And my mom never would have catered to me, she would bring me anywhere she was already going and make me find something. To be honest I was always disappointed as a kid because I wanted that prime rib and the adults would always be like that's too expensive, here's a cheeseburger. lol

julieanne912

My FWP today is that I think the linens I bought for the wedding are too small.  The banquet tables are 8 feet and will be placed end to end (making each one 16') and the linens I bought are 60x126.   I got a list of requested tables/linens from the caterer and she requested 90x156 linens for those, and then 90x132 for the 6 foot tables (For the buffets etc).  Ugh....

lyndausvi

jenna8984 said:

lyndausvi said:

stefuhknee said:

That's annoying. I still think the Italian place would have conceded to giving the kids plain pasta since you guys would have had such a large party.

My FWP is that I'm receiving my first shipment of Blue Apron meals today but my SO wont be home all week due to work so I am going to have to cook the meals for myself which is disappointing because I wanted him to try it with me.

Did you notice the age range?  The youngest is 13.   The other "kids" are 16 and 17.    In the restaurant world they are adults.

Shut up. I honest to God thought you were talking about kids between 2-7 years old. That is absurd that teenagers can't find SOMETHING like pasta in a cheese or scampi sauce, chicken fingers at the American place, a frigen burger or steak. I mean seriously, what do they eat?! And my mom never would have catered to me, she would bring me anywhere she was already going and make me find something. To be honest I was always disappointed as a kid because I wanted that prime rib and the adults would always be like that's too expensive, here's a cheeseburger. lol

Oh god no.  If they were grade school it would have been different.  That is why I put the age range in my OP.

The 16 year old eats plain pasta with ketchup.  

This trip is a 70th birthday party for my mom.   We live in 4 different states.  2 of us out west.  School breaks are totally different.  The one in AZ doesn't have money, so dad always has to pay.       

 Well my mom is a basic eater.   Meat, potatoes, caesar salad, lobster bisque, veal parmesan type eater.   Every restaurant we picked had her favorites.   Who knew that pasta with sauce would be an issue?  It's kind of ridiculous no?     

 There are a ton of restaurants in NYC.  We will find one that does a la carte.  It's more that my sister hates she is always the planner, but then puts herself in the situations by always having to cater to her picky and plain eating family.  By default we have to run it by her.

kvruns

emmaaa said:

I am a picky eater and when we are going out with a group of people to eat I always tell them that I will find something to eat. Most menus will have a steak or chicken fingers or even a salad. 

As a picky eater, I don't expect people to cater to me when I am the one who makes things difficult.

I'm sorry you have to deal with that. That is so frustrating. 

Ditto! same with splitting a pizza, I say well I like XYZ but I can take off whatever so order what the masses want

banana468

That's a PITA.   

Our FWP is in the planning stage.   BIL and SIL are coming out here for a week at the end of the month with their two kids.   They'll be here for DS's 1st birthday, will go up to visit BIL (and DH's) grandparents for a few days and then they'll be back down again for a night or two at the end of the week for FIL's birthday.   The plan is to use our house as the location where they stay.   

It makes perfect sense.   We have two kids in similar age (our older two are about 2 years apart and the younger two are 5 weeks apart.   They could get by in the same diapers and clothing if desired).   We have the toys, baby equipment, high chairs and our house is baby proofed.  Plus, the kids will play well together.   The plan is/was to celebrate FIL's birthday at their summer place.

MIL doesn't like the idea because she wasn't consulted.   MIL wasn't consulted because she wants to dictate the plans.   She wants to dictate the plans because she wants maximum results for minimum effort and maximum time with BIL.    (BIL and SIL have actually seen a therapist due to how MIL has behaved in the past.   They have had to work to set up some serious boundaries).   MIL doesn't want to go to their summer place at the camper because "she has nothing there".   MIL doesn't work and there are four weekends between now and when the event will be but somehow she doesn't want us there with the kids (at a summer family place where there are pools, a splash pad, a bouncy house and tons of playgrounds) and instead we should either go to their non-baby-proofed condo that's a 55 and over community OR the party for FIL should be at our home.   So we'd host for two weekends in a row - because MIL just doesn't want to.

Did I mention that in the last 10 years SIL or I have made about 90% of FIL's birthday cakes?  And 5 years ago essentially tried to get me to be the free caterer for FIL's birthday by getting us to buy the lobster (and conveniently think she didn't need to pay us), bring an appetizer, his cake, a bottle of wine and a gift?   And she also wanted us to help her (read, chip in) for her gift?  And while I understand that you can't judge how others spend their money, I do resent that she thinks she's entitled to mine.   She's not hurting for cash. 

In the grand scheme of things I'm going to shut my mouth and go with the flow and I'll do whatever DH wants.   But I just wish someone would turn around and say, "For fucks' sake woman!   The reason you're not consulted is because you do THISSSSSS! (and insert Jon Lovitz 'move and shake' from The Wedding Singer for emphasis).  

PamBeesly524

@banana468  this is the closest I could get: 

ETA: that situation sounds horrible, and sounds like several people I know at work: minimum effort, maximum recognition.

lyndausvi

@banana468 - that really sucks.   Your MIL is a real pieice of work.

[Deleted User]

labro said:

Ugh that's really annoying. And what Italian place WON'T serve plain pasta? I just don't get how that wouldn't have worked out for her kids....

H and I like are like you, we could go anywhere and find something to eat. I just don't get how this is such a big deal for some people. Most menus now a days offer enough variety to find SOMETHING.

My FWP is I lost my access card in to the office so I have to be buzzed in until I get a replacement.

This was me last week; pretty sure I lost in in the Houston GBI Airport the week before. 

[Deleted User]

Here you go @banana468

julieanne912

Got another one.... 2 months ago I volunteered to help host a baby shower for my MOH, the one that adopted a baby (who was born almost a month ago).  Her sister is the main "host".  I never heard anything so I figured they decided not to do one. Just heard from sister... they're going to do it August 16th.  So in 12 days.  No invites or anything have been sent.  Hopefully sister will take the reigns and just tell me "I need you to do this this and this" because my brain is already at party planning maximum.  

Jells2dot0

I'm a SUPER picky eater and those choices sound delightful to me! Granted, I don't eat sauce on my pasta either, but I'm sure I'd find something. Most of the time, I fill up on bread anyway!

My FWP is that H got called away on a last minute business trip. So, we flew back from AZ on Sunday night, he left the house at 5am yesterday, flies back to TX on Thursday afternoon to meet me at the airport for another flight back to AZ where we will catch a flight on Saturday for Mexico. The whole thing is a house of cards- one wrong move and we're screwed.

That being said, I shuffled some work stuff around yesterday so I could meet with the trainer at the boxing club where I work out. So, I got there right when she told me to get there and she had another client. She fucking forgot about my appointment. I'm pissed because I'm going to be away for the next week and a half, so I won't get to reschedule for a long time.   

anjemon

My FWP is really H's FWP - I snore. And apparently I snore a lot now? I don't know if it's the new house or having been busy, but I've been keeping him up really frequently lately and I only did it occasionally before. So now I'm looking into different ways to stop the snoring. Which sucks because I can't control it at all.

And I'm also afraid it's because I've gained like 10 pounds since the wedding and that has tipped me over into snoring territory. So I'm trying to lose the weight to see if that helps, but I still need something to stop it while I am working on dropping the weight.

luckya23

anjemon said:

My FWP is really H's FWP - I snore. And apparently I snore a lot now? I don't know if it's the new house or having been busy, but I've been keeping him up really frequently lately and I only did it occasionally before. So now I'm looking into different ways to stop the snoring. Which sucks because I can't control it at all.

And I'm also afraid it's because I've gained like 10 pounds since the wedding and that has tipped me over into snoring territory. So I'm trying to lose the weight to see if that helps, but I still need something to stop it while I am working on dropping the weight.

I need to remind DH how lucky he is that I don't mind his snoring!  I'm trying to get him booked in for a sleep study, which seems to be damn near impossible, though.

anjemon

luckya23 said:

anjemon said:

My FWP is really H's FWP - I snore. And apparently I snore a lot now? I don't know if it's the new house or having been busy, but I've been keeping him up really frequently lately and I only did it occasionally before. So now I'm looking into different ways to stop the snoring. Which sucks because I can't control it at all.

And I'm also afraid it's because I've gained like 10 pounds since the wedding and that has tipped me over into snoring territory. So I'm trying to lose the weight to see if that helps, but I still need something to stop it while I am working on dropping the weight.

I need to remind DH how lucky he is that I don't mind his snoring!  I'm trying to get him booked in for a sleep study, which seems to be damn near impossible, though.

Definitely. It's too bad because I don't think it would bother me if H snored, I'm a really heavy sleeper. But he's a really light sleeper so it's the worst case scenario.

onefootinthebayou

Lynda, I don't even know how to advise you on that one, good luck

Our FWP is that upon our move, we will be cancelling cable and going straight to Neflix, other online stuff, etc.  It struck me though that we will lose our DVR ability, which means I CAN'T FAST FORWARD THROUGH THE COMMERCIALS when I watch stuff on demand (on a different account).  Also, a few of our friends and family are on TV a lot now (not famous, but enough to make it exciting and for us to want to DVR it) and now we can't.  Boo.  

ETA -

Tomorrow is my birthday and not only do I have to work, it's going to be busy, AND I have to fly  

ShesSoCold

I don't think I have a FWP today, but I do have a FWP excitement - I pick up my Bears tickets today! :D

luckya23

anjemon said:

luckya23 said:

anjemon said:

My FWP is really H's FWP - I snore. And apparently I snore a lot now? I don't know if it's the new house or having been busy, but I've been keeping him up really frequently lately and I only did it occasionally before. So now I'm looking into different ways to stop the snoring. Which sucks because I can't control it at all.

And I'm also afraid it's because I've gained like 10 pounds since the wedding and that has tipped me over into snoring territory. So I'm trying to lose the weight to see if that helps, but I still need something to stop it while I am working on dropping the weight.

I need to remind DH how lucky he is that I don't mind his snoring!  I'm trying to get him booked in for a sleep study, which seems to be damn near impossible, though.

Definitely. It's too bad because I don't think it would bother me if H snored, I'm a really heavy sleeper. But he's a really light sleeper so it's the worst case scenario.

He also works nights and mostly sleeps during the day, so there's that too :-)  He's snoring right now, in fact!

lyndausvi

ShesSoCold said:

I don't think I have a FWP today, but I do have a FWP excitement - I pick up my Bears tickets today! :D

Woohoo.  I can't wait till the season starts.   We just paid our first $42 installment for NFL ticket.   

No a problem, but me line drying our clothes is paying off.  I just got our our electric bill and it's  $30 less a month. That is even with us running the a/c a few nights (not often, just maybe needed it 3-4 times at night).   Plus my clothes smell nature fresh.

luckya23

onefootinthebayou said:

Lynda, I don't even know how to advise you on that one, good luck

Our FWP is that upon our move, we will be cancelling cable and going straight to Neflix, other online stuff, etc.  It struck me though that we will lose our DVR ability, which means I CAN'T FAST FORWARD THROUGH THE COMMERCIALS when I watch stuff on demand (on a different account).  Also, a few of our friends and family are on TV a lot now (not famous, but enough to make it exciting and for us to want to DVR it) and now we can't.  Boo.  

Ugh, I'm with you on the cancelling cable bummer!!  I'm debating adding in HuluPlus, although to be fair I haven't really searched on Netflix yet what reality shows are available.  Amazon Prime is disappointing.

My wifi blu ray arrives today!!  Hopefully before DH goes to work so he can set it up.