dining with plain eating friends- coping strategies? ;-)

Hi all, (I'm new here so am guessing at some things--like "reply" there or "reply to original post" here...)

I've enjoyed reading this entire thread; it has focussed my mind on the matter. Do you remember the book psycho-cybernetics??!! Cybernetics pretty much refers to setting a straight course by veering away from the negative. In the plowing through space here, we have set a straight course...

To Phoenkia, I liked your choice of topic...as we began defining, I realized how true this is of me too, in so many ways. I don't like spending money on meals I can make at home, as chocabot has said. I thought Janet from Richmond worded it wery well when she got the definition of the topic more true by saying, "Not so much plain v. non-plain but a desire for dishes more ethnic". To Jambie, I don't feel like you started a negative, you just brought out a luncheon situation which is easier to find slipping into the lowest common denominator-I think that's quite natural for a lunch group...it would be hard to agree on ethnic, they're such specific tastes...and the bigger the banquet the more common the denominator.

But it is not for me to try to put all into a nutshell, although I did realize that in general eating ethnic requires others who want to eat THAT food, as most ethnic restaurants do not really offer plain food. I'm glad my family has always agreed on the great tastes of "TexMex", my friends are happy eating Mex or my favorite: Mediterranean. It's true, if they always wanted NOT to eat my favorite ethnic food, I would also be looking for a way out of spending my money eating with them.....

jjrose in Not About Food

Extra milk? What can I do with this?

I loved reading this--it goes so far beyond my only idea--make yogurt. I liked reading how to make ricotta, something I'll try if I get to the point I have no yogurt for starter. And then to think: that milk can simply be frozen for later use...or soup, or cheese sauce. [Why do I take my one good idea and then think no further--this challenges me in so many ways. Thanks!]

jjrose in Home Cooking

I lied to the waiter

I want to weigh in on the side of those who say, "Communicate!" That being said, the last time I had a truly "off-putting" experience, I wrote a very nice letter, offering the owner/manager the benefit of my experience. I received a great letter, with a coupon for dinner entrees for two. I was so proud of myself for not having retreated and handled it in a childish way--lose/lose; but was a caring adult, win/win. It became a truly joyous experience. Alas, the second trip was not noticeably better, and there were two of us to laugh about it all.

jjrose in Not About Food