Is it the end of a long friendship?

These people are a bit flaky, getting upset by such things.. If the chocolate was out of date i would have gone back to the shop for a refund then given her the cash and said bye bye.

TBH I wouldn't want to upset a close friend I'd had for 40 years by telling her that the gift she'd bought me was out of date, when it was clearly unintentional.

I had a friend who always gave me odd presents, things that I couldn’t think why she would buy me that. I was a bit slow to realise that she was passing onto me her unwanted gifts. So, my solution was to say no more presents we’ve both got all we need, let’s just do cards. It worked.

Elless

A similar thing happened to me. I bought theatre tickets for a long standing friend's birthday and because the show wasn't one she wanted to see she simply stopped talking to me. She once bought me a pack of M&S white full briefs for Christmas and I was horrified (myself being a bikini or high leg kind of girl 😄) but I didn't say anything to her.

Knickers are certainly a strange gift for a friend.

A similar thing happened to me. I bought theatre tickets for a long standing friend's birthday and because the show wasn't one she wanted to see she simply stopped talking to me. She once bought me a pack of M&S white full briefs for Christmas and I was horrified (myself being a bikini or high leg kind of girl 😄) but I didn't say anything to her.

For goodness sake!! She’s not much of a friend is she??!

You said the sell by date had expired. That's not the same as best by or use by dates.

Whittards on Does Hot Chocolate Go Out of Date?

www.whitakerschocolates.com/blogs/blog/does-hot-chocolate-go-out-of-date?srsltid=AfmBOoohaAUBp8-eF7rpwjVP6Wku2_hmIw1qRIvm9PSCWt8fdsv0ee04

The worst that could happen would be sickness, with symptoms like stomach ache, vomiting, or diarrhoea which one can get from any food stuff.

She's overreacting but maybe a lesson in not buying gifts too far ahead of time, if that's what you did.

Your friend obviously has the right to express their annoyance at something, but an out-of-date, non-perishable (assuming it was in powder form) item given through a genuine mistake isn't the end of the world. Your apology should have been enough, especially after 40 plus years of friendship.

You say 'sell by date'. It's usually a 'best before' date or 'use by' date now. If it's 'best before' and within a few months, it should be fine. If it was a 'use by' date, then it isn't deemed safe to use.

My personal belief is her reaction is a little harsh. However, you say she can be judgemental and difficult, so maybe her reaction shouldn't have been entirely unexpected.

I would suggest writing an email (if that's how you can communicate) asking for clarification on the date, and what type it is (best before v use by), and reiterate the fact it was a genuine mistake and you would never wish her any harm.

I hope you can resolve this and stay friends. I have a mate who has been my pal for nearly 40 years and I'm almost certain he would accept it as a genuine mistake. And most likely rib me about it.

Just to add, I'm not suggesting your friend should try drinking the chocolate, I'm just saying I think she could have reacted in a less confrontational manner.

Gran22boys

I’ve got a similar friend. If I were you I’d apologise for not being able to read the labels properly and offer another gift. Some people are highly strung and dramatic and don’t realise how they can offend others. Not worth losing a friend over.

I'm inclined to agree with this, although I would be very irritated by someone making a fuss about a well-intentioned gift. Out of date chocolate won't damage the liver or kidneys, even if it is stale. It just won't taste quite as good as fresh. A short time out of date won't matter at all.

It's not worth falling out over though. As her for them back, and get her some bubble bath?

Apologise and give her a box of chocolates and if she continues to complain give her a bit of space, there could be other things going on that you are unaware of.

Could it be the first signs that she is ill?

Or she is ill already and hasnt said anything to anyone?

I’ve got a similar friend. If I were you I’d apologise for not being able to read the labels properly and offer another gift. Some people are highly strung and dramatic and don’t realise how they can offend others. Not worth losing a friend over.