“Don’t ask her, she won’t tell you,” was often the answer to the question “What’s for dinner?”
Why won’t I tell when someone inquires? Let me list a few of my reasons:
- I don’t want to hear, “I don’t like that.”
- Or “Do we have to have that?” (be sure to say it in a whining voice)
- Or “Can’t you make (suggested alternate choice, of which I have no ingredients for)?”
- No one helped me decide, I had to do it on my own.
Don’t get me wrong, I actually enjoy cooking, but I grow weary of having to figure out what the residents of the house will eat. I ask for suggestions, “What do you have a hankering for?” Rarely do I get a response. Give me something to go on, anything!
No, it is up to me (most of the time), so can you blame me when I don’t want to tell you what it is? The ingredients are all out on the counter, and usually the recipe too. So use some deductive reasoning and solve the mystery on your own. I will not spoon feed you your dinner menu.
What’s for dinner tonight? I have no idea . . .yet.
elsie tries writing 
hahaha. Makes me laugh
I agree with the previous posters who talked about the humor in your piece. Your frustration is obvious, yet you don’t let that overwhelm your overall attitude toward your topic. I really enjoyed it.
As my kids were growing up I always dreaded the “yuck!” when told what was for dinner. I do have to hide my smile when my granddaughter now does the same thing to my daughter! Maybe it’s part of the meal preparation ritual.
Are my kids having dinner at your house? I could have sworn I heard their voices as I read your post. I think I’m going to follow your lead and not answer that question any more!
This brought back memories – my mom, the blogger at Otterlanding, used to tell us that we were having “pickled pigs feet and fried rice” if we asked her about dinner. I didn’t know for a long time that people actually did eat those things – having come from a meat and potatoes and gravy family.
Great post! Just got back from a vacation during which we had a cook (can’t begin to say how wonderful that was) … and I have to say, not one of us ever asked about what was for dinner! We knew whatever Miss Loretta cooked was going to be utterly delicious and ready just when we were hungry without us having to lift a finger. No need to ask questions!
I enjoyed the playfulness of this post. It made me smile. I can totally relate! For me, the hardest part about cooking is figuring out what to make in the first place…so I don’t want to hear “I don’t like that” or “can’t we have….?”
A lot of times, making dinner feels like a chore. I guess I would just rather do other things. I’m lucky that my kids and husband pretty much eat whatever is put in front of them. I like the last line, “I will not spoon feed you your dinner menu.” I think I will use that one. 🙂
My mom would get frustrated with my brother and I growing up always asking what was for dinner, and she was the one having the make the decision for dinner. At the time I thought how hard could it be to decide what to eat every night—
but now as an adult (with no kids yet to nag), just a husband I do find it hard to think of what to make so we sit down on Sundays and plan for the whole week. 🙂
Somehow you made what could have sounded like an angry post, into a light-hearted post. Maybe it’s the parentheses? I am a big fan of them. Or maybe it’s your ending. Your last line reveals a hint of playfulness, like an admission that maybe there is a 5th reason sometimes… that maybe sometimes you don’t answer because you haven’t yet decided. At any rate, your words are always enjoyable!
My standard response: you get what you get and you don’t get upset. Oh those dinner time woes!
Ugh! I hate this question too! You have good reasons for not answering it. When my husband asks, I reply, “What do you feel like?” He never has a specific request, but doesn’t usually like my suggestions either. However, he eats whatever I make so I can’t complain…just get dinner started before he gets home, then it’s too late for him to have an opinion!
Hi!
I like your responses. From now on, I won’t ask my mother what’s for dinner.
Moreover, her response would be the same… “Don’t ask me, you would say you don’t like it and then eat two dishes”.
I like that you gave us the dialogue that is so realistic. What’s for dinner? Chicken & rice. Aw-w, not again! I can hear it all now. . .
I like how you have crafted a slice out of such a mundane thing as daily dinner cooking. I like your attitude, and can relate to it.
Terje
You make valid points about why you don’t need to tell them what’s for dinner!! I was such a picky eater growing up, my mom had to make me something different at times. Now, I’m not so picky anymore! 🙂
–jee young