"Petra Hildebrandt" > wrote in message
...
> Sheryl Rosen wrote:
>
> > Everyone has a good time, and by the time we're done with the
appetizers,
> > we're all feeling really good, glad that Charlie or Mike had no cooking
> > ability and graced us with a couple good bottles of wine, by then no one
> > cares who made what, as long as it tastes good and we get to laugh
together.
> >
> > Isn't that the entire point of sharing a meal with friends?
> >
> > Or maybe I'm the one who's got it all wrong.
>
> No, you've got it perfectly all right. That's what it's all about, and I
> second the thought of having more quality time and fun _together_ because
> everybody contributes what he or she can. Same with me. I'm hosting a
> Thanksgiving feast with friens - one has a 1-room apartment and no space.
I
> happen to have space & table for a party and live in the middle of all of
> them. Friends bring wine or a dessert, some bread, I prepare the turkey,
> another one contributes cool board games - and so on...
>
> Petra in Hamburg, Germany
>

There's certanily nothing wrong with the joint effort approach and it can
indeed be a lot of fun. However neither of you seem to have read the
original complaint which was when guests are specifically asked *NOT* to
bring anything and then they do and expect it to be served. Some hosts go to
a lot of effort to plan every aspect of a meal, from appetizers to main
course to side dishes, wines, and desserts. It is planned as an entire
entity, with each element complementing the others, not just a mish-mash of
dishes. Your green bean casserole, no matter how good it is, will not fit
in!


--
Peter Aitken

Remove the crap from my email address before using.