topic Re: Question about late guests in Community Chat

Question about late guests

temptations fan — Sun, 01 Apr 2018 02:02:13 GMT

What do you do when certain family members consistently show up late to family dinners? Do you eat without them or wait? We have family members that always show up late for holiday dinners, they have no excuse for being late, they live five miles away and have no children to get ready they are just always late. Last Easter we waited half an hour and then ate without them, they finally showed up 90 minutes late and we were done eating the meal and getting ready for dessert. So when you tell your family we are eating at a certain time and everyone else is there but they are late What would you do?

Re: Question about late guests

butterfly123 — Sun, 01 Apr 2018 02:05:00 GMT

@temptations fan

We had Easter dinner tonight with husband’s family. Several were late and nieces and nephews were hungry so we started dinner without them.

Re: Question about late guests

Another new name Sue — Sun, 01 Apr 2018 02:06:58 GMT

We just go ahead and eat. No big deal. They can fix a plate with the leftovers when they arrive. Just relax and enjoy the day, don't be uptight about someone being late. They are late because they like it that way for some reason.

Re: Question about late guests

QVCkitty1 — Sun, 01 Apr 2018 02:08:48 GMT

Start eating when you planned to. Your other guests shouldn't suffer because of the bad manners of others.

Re: Question about late guests

Noel7 — Sun, 01 Apr 2018 02:11:46 GMT

@temptations fanwrote:
What do you do when certain family members consistently show up late to family dinners? Do you eat without them or wait? We have family members that always show up late for holiday dinners, they have no excuse for being late, they live five miles away and have no children to get ready they are just always late. Last Easter we waited half an hour and then ate without them, they finally showed up 90 minutes late and we were done eating the meal and getting ready for dessert. So when you tell your family we are eating at a certain time and everyone else is there but they are late What would you do?

Start without them.

Re: Question about late guests

GCR18 — Sun, 01 Apr 2018 02:13:46 GMT

My sister and her family were always late for everything. Didn't want to, but we waited until they arrived. This went on for a lot of years. If you want to break the cycle, eat at the scheduled time.

Re: Question about late guests

Shanus — Sun, 01 Apr 2018 02:16:48 GMT

@temptations fanwrote:
What do you do when certain family members consistently show up late to family dinners? Do you eat without them or wait? We have family members that always show up late for holiday dinners, they have no excuse for being late, they live five miles away and have no children to get ready they are just always late. Last Easter we waited half an hour and then ate without them, they finally showed up 90 minutes late and we were done eating the meal and getting ready for dessert. So when you tell your family we are eating at a certain time and everyone else is there but they are late What would you do?

@temptations fan After 15 or 20 minutes, I start to serve. If it’s a special dinner, most dishes are timed when they’d be finished cooking. If other guests are there on time, why should they eat an over cooked, cold dinner, because of a few consistently late folks?

P.S. Since the “late comers” are family, teach them a lesson by not saving them a plate and having the food already put away. ******If they don’t catch on, maybe give them a dinner time invitation for 90 minutes earlier...then they’ll be on time!!!! Lol 😝

Re: Question about late guests

TenderMercies — Sun, 01 Apr 2018 02:18:11 GMT

I'd wait if it they were going to be late only 20 minutes or less. Anything more and the food could be either cold or overcooked.

My issue is when family members show up, and they're angry if they can't sit right down at the table and immediately begin eating. They're also the first people done eating and leave the table to go watch sports before anyone is done. So much for dessert, coffee and conversation. Isn't there one of those in every family?

Re: Question about late guests

sissel — Sun, 01 Apr 2018 02:22:46 GMT

Just plain rude but read that if you know these guests are always late tell them 1 1/2 hr late tell them to get there 1 1/2 hr before to get to your house so then everyone will arrive the same time. Or just don't invite them anymore.

Re: Question about late guests

NicksmomESQ — Sun, 01 Apr 2018 02:22:55 GMT

I would continue as planned & not wait for them to show up!! Let them be embarrassed when they walk in late & see that the “party” started without them.

Re: Question about late guests

libbyannE — Sun, 01 Apr 2018 02:29:12 GMT

I agree with those who said to start without them. In our ladies' brunch group, hosted by a different friend every month, one friend arrived late. Very late. Always. And with a dramatic flurry of excuses and stories. Finally, after months of this, we started our brunches without her. She was surprised and a bit offended. We would just tell her to grab a plate and join us. She wasn't happy. After she arrived once after that just as the event was breaking up, we stopped inviting her, period.

Re: Question about late guests

Diva on The Q — Sun, 01 Apr 2018 02:44:26 GMT

If they are consistently late, I would do what you did. Go ahead and eat with the rest of your guests.

Re: Question about late guests

Kachina624 — Sun, 01 Apr 2018 02:52:18 GMT

Being habitually late, while expecting others to wait for you, is the ultimate ego trip and a very bad habit. I wouldnt wait on them.

Re: Question about late guests

Desertdi — Sun, 01 Apr 2018 03:01:15 GMT

Not trying to be snide or anything........but maybe they just don't like your cooking. (I grew up in a very different household than any of my friends.....we ate "ethnic"......ya know, sauerkraut and all "that stuff").

Re: Question about late guests

dex — Sun, 01 Apr 2018 03:15:18 GMT

I agree with everyone who said...eat when dinner is ready and let the Lateners eat the cold food or direct them to the microwave.They might show up on time next invitation if they didn’t enjoy microwave reheats.

Re: Question about late guests

lovescats — Sun, 01 Apr 2018 03:26:44 GMT

maybe they just want to come for dessert and coffee. Do they want to eat a full meal when they come late?

Re: Question about late guests

sissel — Sun, 01 Apr 2018 03:37:09 GMT

I love sauerkraut wish my husband did. He is Italian. I will go anywhere so I don't have to cook & I don't complain. I just think these people are just plain rude. She did say no kids & live close by so no excuse. Maybe these people like to make a grand entrance some people love attention like that. Plus I would give you a good host gift too. Invite me next time. I would even help out & clean up.

Re: Question about late guests

viva923 — Sun, 01 Apr 2018 03:55:53 GMT

begin dinner with out the late person(s).

Re: Question about late guests

Carmie — Sun, 01 Apr 2018 04:01:15 GMT

We always start without them. That’s what microwave ovens are for. They can reheat their own food too.

Re: Question about late guests

Desertdi — Sun, 01 Apr 2018 04:12:18 GMT

My girlfriend has a HUGE family......so she just puts out a buffet. The guests can eat.....or not.