Dave Smith wrote:
>
> Nancy Young wrote:

> > I'd go pick out of the refrigerator. That's unnecessarily rough.
>
> I don't know. This guy was crotchety, excessively anal. He probably wouldn't let you
> into the kitchen. While I understand his frustration over people being late, I thought
> it was a little much.

If I was chronically late for a dinner party, I would accept that
I was rude and no longer invited.

If I was invited by someone who would deny me food because I was
late once, I would not accept their invitation. Works both ways.
That is not a host. Nor a friend.

> If you are not chronically late I was not referring to you. Unfortunately, there are
> people who are chronically late. I realize that there is expression "fashionably late".
> I don't insist that people arrive on the appointed hour, and I always count on some time
> to socialize, a drink or three, some nibbles and conversation.

Precisely what I said. We're in agreement.

> If I am cooking something
> that is quick it is not a major problem if someone is a little late, but it is a
> different matter if there is a group of people. I don't want other guests to have to
> wait to be fed. If I am cooking a roast that takes several hours I don't want to ruin in
> because someone is late.

I promise you, if I was that late person, GO EAT. I'm not late on
purpose.

> > I love them and I see them whenever I can. This lateness irritation
> > is well overriden by my enjoyment of their company. Doesn't make it
> > less annoying but we all tolerate flaws in our family and friends.
> > I was just bitching about it like everyone else in this thread.
>
> If that is the case, tell them to be there earlier than the reservation. Tell them that
> the 8 o'clock reservation is for 7.

These people are chronically late, I won't lie. BUT, they work and
have children. It's easy for me to say, I'll be there at 7. It's
not as easy for other people.

> That is what my mother in law used to do for family
> dinners. She would plan dinner for 6 pm and tell my brother in law they were eating at
> 5. It helped. He would arrive between 6:30 and 7.

Well, he can just eat by himself. Make him a platter and give it the
old nukeroonie.

nancy