Calendargirl
Going to a friend’s house, I was about 12, and staying for dinner (lunch), was quite taken aback when her mum served up the main course, and my friend whispered to me to clean my plate well. It was a nice meal with gravy, but when we had finished and the pudding came, it was served on the same plate! I then realised why it was best to leave no gravy traces.
Apparently to save on the washing up!
My mother in law often does the "save your cutlery" for the next course thing. I think she just doesn't have enough if there are guests. DH knows that I don't like doing and always takes mine into the kitchen and rinses it for me!!
She also has rules about what you are allowed to drink and when. So you can't have a hot drink at 4pm because it's too near dinner time. She only drinks cold drinks (often sugary and fizzy), I almost exclusively drink hot drinks - even did as a child - and my son (now an adult) is the same; but we're often not allowed one.
