Unhealthy Gifts When Visiting for Tea

Electric Gypsy

It never ceases to amaze me the way it's the done thing to bring over a cake, scones, or a tart when visiting. The host also feels obliged to have an unhealthy gift for the visitors too. In some cases neither of them may actually want to eat the food... they just take a few nibbles out of politeness when in each others' company, and then suggest the teenagers can eat it during the week. The food then remains in the house untouched for a day or two before finally being thrown out. Of course a lot of the time it gets eaten, and therefore it's no wonder we're such a fat country.

phelixoflaherty

Garibaldi

blackbox

Who doesn't like an apple tart?

tom1ie

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058324144/unhealthy-gifts-when-visiting-for-tea

So what do you want with your cuppa? A celery stick?

blade1

I always bring a few salad leaves when visiting.

I'd hate to be seen as an unhealthy gift giver.

I don't just stop there though, I give salad leaves as Christmas and birthday presents.

I think they are really appreciated .

con747

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058324144/unhealthy-gifts-when-visiting-for-tea

You are easily amazed.

ballyargus

scones unhealthy? I eat them practically every day

blade1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121410128#Comment_121410128

Yeah but what have you achieved lately?

Be right back

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121410110#Comment_121410110

And the salad goes lovely with a cuppa.

El_Duderino 09

I consider my company the gift. I'm sweeter than apple tart, saucier than custard and more spirituality nourishing than a high fibre oat bar tray bake.

Seriously though, people bring gifts when calling round for a cuppa?

YellowLead

In my experience most people enjoy a sweet treat and are happy to receive and offer same. If they don’t want it but eat it anyway that’s their own issue.

In my experience people bring a mix of things when visiting, it’s not always sweet treats, sometimes it’s cheese etc.

I don’t think there is an abundance of people out there who are offering and accepting sweet treats when they don’t want to be doing so, but knows…

Calahonda52

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058324144/unhealthy-gifts-when-visiting-for-tea

A pin-holed condom perhaps?

corner of hells

I generally wait till the householders have gone to bed , break in and eat the cake I brought.

Buddy Bubs

People (I wouldn't dare assume their gender) feel compelled to bring treats into work too. The same people that say they're trying to be good and pretending to decline when someone offers them same. Before devouring it.

Archeron

Mmmm, deep fried battered lard balls dipped in chocolate

For Forks Sake

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058324144/unhealthy-gifts-when-visiting-for-tea

You have very little to be bothering you

NSAman

Imagine visiting and being offered tofu and wheat grass? Gimme tea and a bikkie anyway!

tom1ie

Feck the scones and biscuits- it’s a good strong crisp pilsner I should be served, add some cheesey Doritos on the side and I’m sorted.

StupidLikeAFox

What sort of person goes for tea in this day and age? I'll meet you for a run or down in the gym you lazy slob

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Greyfox

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058324144/unhealthy-gifts-when-visiting-for-tea

Tea with chocolate is probably the best thing in the world, cake is also great. Offering something nice with tea when someone enters your house is basic manners, if a guest accepts when they don't want to then that's the guests problem. I think bringing unhealthy food to someone's house is unusual but I'd always welcome it. I generally eat healthy during the week but eating delicious unhealthy food with a guest is part of socialising. You don't win friends with salad.

ottolwinner

I don’t care who brings them but anyone got biscuits now?

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Ezeoul

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058324144/unhealthy-gifts-when-visiting-for-tea

You must be a joy at parties.

l also think you display a very unhealty attitude towards food. An occasional treat is fine.

Gregor Samsa

I'm with the OP on the subject of healthy, beneficial gifts. I haven't been invited for tea of late for some reason, but usually I'd bring a packet of surgical gloves and the offer of a free prostate exam.

blade1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121416609#Comment_121416609

I can squeeze you in for around 2 or 3 tomorrow 😁

Gregor Samsa

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121417149#Comment_121417149

I'll be the one doing the squeezing.

blade1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121417587#Comment_121417587

..

Electric Gypsy

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121415535#Comment_121415535

It's a given in your mind that eating unhealthy food is part of socialising. Would there ever come a point in time when you realise that you and a friend know each other well enough to just not bother having the junk food, and just have the drink on its own. In some cases that's probably the thing both people want to do, but each thinks the other will think they're odd for saying it, so they carry on eating the junk food and they become fat. What a shame.

You're also not acknowledging the problem of the host not being willing to accept the guest declining to eat the food.

the14thwarrior

wise up. eat the food, don't eat the food.

it doesn't have to turn into a judgemental tea party either way

Ezeoul

You're also not acknowledging the problem of the host not being willing to accept the guest declining to eat the food.

Oh dear, did someone hold you down and force-feed you an apple tart?

Greyfox

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121418102#Comment_121418102

No, time with friends should be treated as a nice occasion rather than an ordinary one, offering a treat is making an effort to savour important moments. If me or my friend is struggling with having treats in moderation then the onus is on that person to explain this beforehand and if they don't do this then it's tough luck if the host offers a treat 3 or 4 times as the host means well.

tikka16751

Don’t bring ky jelly wrong impression

gameoverdude

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121409613#Comment_121409613

No cinnamon or nutmeg though.

That just shows you despise your hosts and don't want to be invited again...excellent idea.

gameoverdude

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121410199#Comment_121410199

For dipping.

gameoverdude

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121413726#Comment_121413726

Melted moro bars chocolate?

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Jellybaby_1

Couldn't resist posting. If you are invited to a party you probably would turn up with a bottle of wine, bunch of flowers or box of chocolates. if you are invited 'to supper', yes bring some nice treat. You're going to be served a nice meal so bring along some appreciation of that, (just watch 'Come Dine with Me). If you are 'just popping round for a cuppa'. then no, you don't need to bring anything because it's just a cuppa and a chat, very casual. But if you are invited 'to tea', then it would be nice to contribute something, however I don't know if anyone invites people 'to tea' any more, I think that is a bit outdated now, might have happened in the 50's. I repeat, just watch 'Come Dine with Me, you may hear a comment about a guest who turns up with one arm longer than the other and seen as a meany person!! It's all etiquette, you should try to get it right.

Electric Gypsy

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121416496#Comment_121416496

My so called unhealthy attitude towards food ironically keeps me very healthy.

In reality it doesn't end up being 'occasional'. That's why we're such a fat nation. Don't you get it? If I were eating occasional unhealthy food, that mightn't be so bad, but then what's going to happen the next time I'm bored or unhappy?? I'm going to go for that food... it's all too easy. But in my current routine, the thought wouldn't even occur to me.

Electric Gypsy

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121420996#Comment_121420996

That may all be true. But I think you're missing the point. I remember when I was younger, there was this fella who'd actually bring a cake every time he'd call! My parents would give out mad about it when he'd left.

I always just have the tea. I hate it when I'm offered some junk for the second time, and then I hear someone have to clarify for me "yeah, he's healthy". Then the other will say "well there's nothing wrong with that". I should be able to refuse politely without someone needed to justify my refusal. You then get labelled as the healthy guy.

Ezeoul

"...what's going to happen the next time I'm bored or unhappy?? I'm going to go for that food... "

That really sounds like a "you" problem.

Most people can be both - enjoy treats and be healthy. It's called moderation.

I think your attitude towards food is not so-called un-healthy - it is unhealthy.

If you don't want to eat a treat when its offered, then don't. No one is going to hold you down and force it down your throat.

Talk about making a mountain out of a molehill.

Electric Gypsy

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121421885#Comment_121421885

Nope, I'm in great shape as a result of my attitude towards food, it doesn't mean I go around thinking it out loud. It mightn't conform with the social norms here, but that doesn't mean it's an unhealthy attitude. Completely different thing.

'Most people' are impulsive and eat what they feel like eating without thinking, or else make a rationalisation for doing so. That's why we're the second most obese country in Europe... a point you don't want to address.

Goodbye.

Ezeoul

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121421987#Comment_121421987

No, I wouldn't waste my time trying to discuss such a complex issue as obesity with someone who has an attitude like yours.

Most people don't take such offence at a friend offering them a biscuit or treat with a cuppa that they have to start threads on internet discussion boards to complain about it.

They just say "no, thank you."

See ya.

ottolwinner

I used to always bring some pink fingers for tea. Always raised eyebrows when I’d announce “here’s some pink fingers for you”.

tabby aspreme

When visiting people, I bring a bunch of nettles and some recordings of the Joe Duffy show, nettle flogging, nettle tea and uplifting audio enjoyment.

blade1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121422702#Comment_121422702

Surely with the nettles, you'd listen to a bit of Sting.

witchgirl26

OP you do know that obesity is a much more complex thing than someone having the odd biscuit or piece of cake with a cup of tea? Like a lot more complex. And trying to bring it down to that level is quite insulting to people who are obese & struggle with it despite eating healthily & not having treats.

Look eat the biscuits or don't but my parents instilled in me that if I was invited to someone's home I should bring something. So I do. If it's for a dinner, I'll offer to bring the desert. If it's for a cup of tea & a chat, I'll bring a small pack of biscuits. If I know the person I'm visiting is likely to have cakes or is trying to not eat as many treat type foods, I'll bring flowers or a plant.

It's less about forcing unhealthy food on people and more around trying to be a good, polite guest/host.

And anyway, doctors & dieticians are trying to get people away from using terms like "good" or "bad" or "healthy" and "unhealthy" in relation to food as that can cause more problems in the long run with relationships with food. Look at how you've talked about "unhealthy" here. What's healthy is a balanced diet which can include some treat type, occasional foods.

Jellybaby_1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121421840#Comment_121421840

I think you just might be pulling our legs here! But if you're serious, if someone brings cake every time then the poor guy just lacks imagination, and if he upsets anyone that much then don't invite him again. When the blasted calorific cake does arrive, and if nobody wants to eat it, there may be a neighbour who might be glad of it, particularly a family with kids. Pass the thing on, don't waste another moment of your time on it. Life's too short. But I do feel my leg being pulled still!

Electric Gypsy

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121425093#Comment_121425093

It's only complex if you make it so. The odd biscuit is part of the problem, whether you like it or not... because in reality it doesn't end up being the odd one. If it's not the odd biscuit, it's the odd ice cream, the odd burger, or the odd pizza, etc. Junk food is everywhere. Each 'treat' is yet another part of the overall problem, and in order to solve problems you need to break them down into parts. Believe it or not, the sh1t people put into their bodies has a lot to do with obesity. There seems to be people out there trying to complicate obesity alright, possibly either so that they can make money, or so that fat people won't have to feel as bad. but you basically want to act as if it's just a coincidence that Ireland is the second most obese country in Europe. Obesity is primarily due to one or all of the following three factors; junk food, over-prescription of antibiotics, and having a sedentary lifestyle.

I've got news for you; certain foods are 'bad', regardless of what euphemism a dietician puts on them... and that's a terrible trend too btw. You could apply that same logic to any substance you put into your body, including alcohol. Deep fat fried pizza is bad for you? Yes there are people out there who think they deserve it every now and then, but it's still bad for them. There's probably even people who think it's part of a balanced diet, but it's still bad for them! There is nothing wrong with excluding all junk food from one's diet. When it comes to weight loss, it's 85% to do with what you eat, and 15% exercise. That's another reason why so many people think think "I'm exercising so it shouldn't be a problem" and still can't lose weight.

And honestly, what percentage of people who are obese, are that way "despite eating healthy"? And why didn't such people exist 50+ years ago? Follow any fat person down the street until they get thirsty and they will always choose the soda as their drink.

bullpost

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121433764#Comment_121433764

You are an example to us all. A shining light, a beacon of hope in these dark times.

Electric Gypsy

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121433905#Comment_121433905

Typical boardsie. Why do you have to be sarcastic? If you disagree with me, or don't like the way I'm expressing myself, then tell me why.