h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

>we can concentrate on the reason we're there

And there you have it!

Who cares if I can't eat your meatballs or won't cook you a steak. Isn't the pleasure of my company reward enough?

That's where it helps to be a student, most parties are potluck anyway

And of course your company is better than any food!

Awww, shucks!

Yours, too. I'm still just pleased as punch that I got to enjoy your company while you were over here.

Now it's my turn to come to Germany.

Pot luck is a cool way to do things, even if just because there are a dozen or so family members around and that's too much work for one host/ess to endure.

We do a pot luck at the office every few months. Last time I made those refried beans you suggsted. In fact I had some of them for lunch today, made them last night.

Well, we *are* having a meet next weekend...

Crap, that's a little short notice.

I was hoping to make it over sometime next year, though.

though I'll probably be in the Netherlands or Scandinavia by then

Not a major John Hurt fan myself - but that film's a classic.

"I seem to have offended you gentlemen in some way."

Take my advice. Netflix.

Darn!

We'd entertained the notion of visiting Sweden at the same time so if you're in Scandinavia maybe we can pass by.

erm...I don't give a flying...if I invited you, then I would ask what you like and will accomodate. My friends too. If there was something overlooked then it could easily be worked out via speed dial!!

If it gets too complicated, then pot luck! Direct friends to either bring savory, sweet or liquid refresh. I really don't care if dishes clash either, you never know, perhaps for someone's palate on your guest list they don't, and everyone gets a chance to try something new.

I went to one tonight...I took fresh cherries and brownies...I knew there'd be lots of savory so I bought sweet and healthy. My friend's instruction was, "bring something delish!"

I am not a good cook at all, so not really up on protocols...if I was invited to your house for dinner - I would say, "makers choice" and add, "I hate tomatoes in their natural form and I am allergic to strawberries", and if you were to forget by chance...I would not be offended...as long as you were not offended by my not partaking of.

I have been following this one from the off and as is my habit in mode , yes you've talked about Muslim's or even Jewish preferences, you also talked about going traveling in the near future, I haven't yet seen anyone thinking about what is customary in another country when traveling , Here in Japan people don't go to other peoples houses very often in eight years here I've never visited my sister in laws house nor my brother in laws apartment it just isn't done , having said that If you do get an invite to another persons house then you must carry a gift,never go empty handed ,taking it sideways ,In the last two years I have had ten new houses built next to my land and in every case when the new family moved in they came to my door to introduce them selves some carried 's some carried washing up powder nobody moved in without taking gifts to the others around them .
Also I often have bbq's and invite all my friends and their friends too, I don't have to say it but as is this country's custom It does become a pot luck even if most people attending were not born here .

Now if I /we are invited to a restaurant to a party or even less formal doo it would be an insult to put my hand in my pocket and try to pay for something .

For me first things first make sure you know the customs of the land you are in .

>I took fresh cherries and brownies



So you're coming to dinner here tomorrow night, then?

I didn't know you were allergic to strawberries, but I have food allergies too, so I always work around those! And yeah, if I know someone hates something I either won't have it or I'll keep it separate. K won't eat raw onion or celery, or cucumbers or melons in any form, so I always put mine in on my plate.

Thank you, Anold, for explaining some Japanese customs. In this country, it's not obligatory to bring a gift, so it is useful to know that it is customary to do so there. I think washing up powder or something like that is a fantastic gift! Often if I'm invited to dinner, if the host is a drinker I'll bring a bottle of wine. Otherwise I might bring a bag of ground coffee, or some chocolates. It never would have occurred to me to bring a practical household item, and I like the idea!

One time I baked some cookies when we went to K's parents. His mom was pretty upset, and she didn't put out any of mine on the tray of cookies she laid out. She's a pretty lousy cook but a fairly good baker and people have convinced her that her baked goods are the best in the world so of course my contribution would have been inferior. She will put out anything I bring with rhubarb in it, because K's grandparents love rhubarb.

>Now if I /we are invited to a restaurant to a party or even less formal doo it would be an insult to put my hand in my pocket and try to pay for something .

I absolutely agree, unless it's been agreed beforehand that a restaurant meal will be "Dutch treat" or something like that.

I've never brought anything along to say, a wedding or a banquet hall luncheon, even if it means not eating anything at all. I'll just grab some kind of snack on the way home afterward.

Why is it known as "dutch treat" or "going dutch" when sharing payment, where did that stem from?

Wikipedia has a nice lil explanation of dutch treats.

Did you know it's national underwear day today? Who on earth decides these things?

I'll have to check that Wiki entry out- I'm curious as to the origins of the term, too.

Had no idea today was national underwear day. Does this mean we have to go out and buy some new ones?

I actually have found conflicting info, my widget says it's today...but on other sources online it says it was actually last Tuesday 5th Aug.

It was started by a company promoting their underwear.

Hanes? and I have been reading the backlog so yum rubard

http://www.freshpair.com/underwear-day.html

But at least if I'm too late, I don't need to buy any more.