General Chat

I agree with all the other comments, Tawny, don't let them treat you or your parents in that way. You are not regimented, it's them with a problem and they need telling 0. Sounds as tho they are selfish and lazy. Have they offered to take you out for meals or pay for a takeaway?

Personally I would go out of my way to be awkward from now on and leave them to it. Let them provide their own meals if they insist on being unreliable about their return home. If they complain say, it's a sandwich or nothing. The girlfriend should be ashamed of herself, being a guest in someone's home doesn't mean you expect to be waited on like that.

Bet you can't wait for them to leave? Why did they visit if they are out all the time?

All the best for the coming year

Lizxx

Its perfectly reasonable asking if they want an evening meal, even if they have to reheat if they are back later than expected.

Any reasonable person would say if they weren't sure, but then add that they'll knock together something for themselves if they haven't eaten.

Regimentation doesn't come into it - planning and budgeting does!

as others have said ................... they are guests in YOUR house (OK, you and your parents house, if you/they wish to be picky!)

Tell them dinner will be at a certain time, and you wish to know whether they will be in so that you know how many people to cook for.

Also tell them that neither you nor your parents can afford to keep wasting food, even if they can.

If they do not turn up at the stated time, put their cooked meal in the fridge. When they do come in, tell them where to find the food and direct them to the microwave or oven and say, sweetly, "You do know how to use that machine don't you?", and walk out of the kitchen.


and, no, you are NOT too regimented ................


they are behaving like spoilt brats!

Tawny..... when are you visiting them in York, to be waited on hand and foot?


:-)

if they live in York they may be back sooner than you think if their house is flooded

I'm afraid I would ask if they'll be in for dinner, which will be at a certain time.
If they say they won't, then I'd presume they'd be buying their own either whilst out, or get a pizza on the way home.
If they say they'll be in, and aren't, then that meal will be kept for them to reheat the following dinner time.

I don't believe in wasting food, also, I'm no-one's Servant - and neither are you!!

Personally, I think their attitude is shabby.

Edit: You're not too regimented - they need to grow up, and consider other people, apart from themselves!! :-|

They feel the same as me he does however show our parents as much respect as he shows me. The sooner they go home to York the better.

If that is his attitude I am glad I am not his girlfriend! I agree with Rose, tell them when the meal will be ready and tell them they will have to reheat it if not there. Explain how it is normally good manners to let people know if they don't intend eating in. What do your parents think about it? I certainly would not cook for them when they come in late, I would show them the fridge, food and frying pan etc.

Tawny they should be respecting you and your parents.......

Respect goes along way....goes without saying

It they won't cook for themselves let them starve. Like Emma says it is bloomin lucky they don't come and stay here :-|

Tell him to do it himself. You're not his servant, you might be his sister but those two things are not the same thing

Thank you all for your replies. The house is my parents but I do most of the cooking. If they were children it would be different however they are adults in their 20s so old enough to fend for themselves.

Good job they don't stay with me.

Is it your house or your parents? Do your parents cook or do you do it?

If it's you that is doing the cooking I would tell your brother before he goes out that dinner will be at 6PM or whatever, and you will not be cooking after that so they must make their own arrangements if they are not going to be back in time or eat what is left reheated...by THEM.

imo they are taking advantage, but maybe your brother feels your parents have always provided meals when he wants them so is continuing the way he's always been?

Your House, Your Rules. They don't like it? Go forth...


Andy

But wondered what others thought? My brother (25) and his girlfriend (22) are staying with my parents and me. They arrived on Christmas Eve and are staying until the 3rd of January.

I asked if they were going to be in for dinner the response was I'm too regimented. They both have their own keys for the house and I don't care if they come in at 6am as long as they don't wake me. However they roll in at 9pm and expect food and a sandwich isn't good enough they do however refuse to make their own dinner. Sometimes however they don't roll in till 6am and so if food had been made it would now be wasted.

Do others think it is unreasonable to know if they will be in wanting food?