AIBU a generation that can’t be bothered.

I think the issue here is that people should have choice. Some people enjoy cooking and others don't. Both of those things are ok.

These days, those who don't enjoy it have other options that were not available in the past. Those options may or may not be to everyone's personal taste, but for a busy parent who works full-time, doesn't have a car and doesn't have the luxury of living next to a market with cheap fresh fruit and veg, they may be a godsend, and that's ok.

When it stops being ok is when people start to judge one another for their choices, or for what circumstances dictate that they do - sometimes choice doesn't come into it. I mentioned my friend upthread. She could make a cheap and nutritious meal easily, but getting her hands on the ingredients was a challenge. If you are feeding three under fives and 20% of your food bill would go on a weekly taxi to the supermarket, or on a bus every other day, so that you can carry the bags home, you are more likely to fall back on the local shop, even if it is more likely to sell frozen chicken pies than fresh chicken and vegetables.

As for people spending large sums on eating out - IMO that is entirely irrelevant. Unless we all lived on the same basic budget and any surplus had to go to a fund to feel the 'less fortunate' we all make choices about how to spend any extra money we have. It is no more or less ethical to spend on restaurants than on bibles or anything else. In a capitalist society, the vast majority of us has more than we strictly 'need', and it's hypocritical to pretend otherwise or judge others for spending on things that we might not buy - we will be buying things of which others could judge us, too.

In happier news, my friend's life improved over time, and she likes nothing more than eating in expensive restaurants when she can - she went to The Ivy for her 60th birthday celebration .

OPhere I will not apologise for either thread.

Firstly the one regarding the best meal was literally that, a sandwich on top of a hill or a gourmet experience.

I did have the meal of a lifetime and it was expensive, It was our Xmas gift to each other.
Food and cooking is my passion,what is obscene about that?

This thread has provoked discussion isn’t that what this site is all about?

GSM I seem to remember you telling us about an expensive car you once purchased, did you think about all the people using food banks then?

Perhaps the journalist should have been accompanied by a home economist.

Yep.

MissAdventure

It would be best to just draw a line under this thread.
It's got quite unpleasant, really.
I doubt anyone is enjoying it.

I agree.

It would be best to just draw a line under this thread.
It's got quite unpleasant, really.
I doubt anyone is enjoying it.

Maggiemaybe

^Sago was the poster who got us all boasting about meals we had, had Under the title 'A meal of a Life Time", I feel disgusted that I fell for it. Well done the ones that said fish and chips or egg and chips, I wish I had too.^

Why? Would that have been an honest answer to the question? I never even saw the thread about, presumably, the best meals we’ve ever had. But it’s a bit much blaming Sago for starting it and “getting you all boasting”. There’s room for all sorts of discussions on GN. What there shouldn’t be room for is targetting other posters, especially when dragging in old threads to do it (against GN guidelines, btw).

I gave the honest answer I did not make one up,BUT we should be aware of other people and what circumstances they might be in. I wish like a lot of others I had deferred from joining in call it a guilty conscience but I wish I hadn't.
Are you saying I am the first to mention a former post? If it is against Gran's net guidelines why do others do it? I have been on the receiving end of such treatment myself.

Or maybe it’s Sago’s fault for starting the thread and getting them all boasting (again)?

I agree.
It isn't sago who has filled the thread up with disparaging comments.
People have been only too ready to jump in a put their two pennies worth.

Sago was the poster who got us all boasting about meals we had, had Under the title 'A meal of a Life Time", I feel disgusted that I fell for it. Well done the ones that said fish and chips or egg and chips, I wish I had too.

Why? Would that have been an honest answer to the question? I never even saw the thread about, presumably, the best meals we’ve ever had. But it’s a bit much blaming Sago for starting it and “getting you all boasting”. There’s room for all sorts of discussions on GN. What there shouldn’t be room for is targetting other posters, especially when dragging in old threads to do it (against GN guidelines, btw).

And they're more healthy than using veg which has been languishing for weeks until you can use them up.

Yes you are being unreasonable. Ready done mash etc saves money on gas and electric. There are lots of people that HAVE to use food banks and I'm just grateful that I (at the moment) don't have to. It isn't always laziness. I always cook fresh veg but if I had no money then tinned it would have to be as they heat quicker.

I didn’t join in the Meal of a Lifetime thread because it didn’t seem appropriate to boast about expensive meals when people are dependent on food banks or have to choose between heating and eating. I love egg and chips or bangers and mash. We also have home cooked fish and chips every week but fish is expensive now.

Riverwalk

Sago

OP Here I am coming under a lot of criticism, being told to volunteer in food banks etc.
The post is not about how people spend their money or cook.
The point I am making is that a journalist tried to shop and cater for a family of 4 for £60.

I’m sure if we were set that challenge we would have the common sense not to buy things such as ready grated cheese, prepared and cooked veg etc.

The till receipt was in my opinion an insult to families that are struggling.

You're back-pedalling now following criticism.

The thread title is AIBU a generation that can’t be bothered and then went on to say

This till receipt showed she had purchased, ready mashed potato and carrot and swede there was also grated cheese, microwave rice pouches

Too lazy to peel, grate and mash.

The thread premise wasn't about budgeting or struggling families - you were taking aim at those who for whatever reason take short cuts when cooking.

I agree Riverwalk good for you saying what a lot of us should have. Sago was the poster who got us all boasting about meals we had, had Under the title 'A meal of a Life Time", I feel disgusted that I fell for it. Well done the ones that said fish and chips or egg and chips, I wish I had too.
Imagine what people who use food banks could buy with the £200+ that a meal with wine would cost at L'Eclume.
The thread premise was changed after all the negative comments it received. It was about taking shortcuts.
I remember a post not long ago asking for suggestions,lazy garlic and ginger come to mind and there were some really good suggestions.
We have to be aware that not everyone is wealthy, some people have health issues or live alone where starting from Scratch costs more than buying something preprepared.

I take a pudding (if asked)

Ooh lovely!
I'm not worried about puddings.
Dinners are where it's at.
Just eat extra dinner.

MissAdventure

oldmom

All these people saying schools should teach kids to cook.
Parents should teach kids to cook. Schools can't teach everything while parents abrogate all responsibility.

My 8 year old son can cook better than my husband can. He can also operate the washing machine better. My father in law can't boil an egg.

How many of you critical ladies taught all your children to cook before they left home?

Every single one of gransnet taught their children, who went on to create culinary delights every single evening, apparently.

Mine do, even though their poor old mother cbb any more ?

That's why I like going to theirs.
They're just not very good with puddings, though.

I remember when one of mine went to university he phoned me to ask how to cook frozen breaded chicken

Re; teaching your children how to cook…..you can take a horse to water comes to mind. Not all children are willing to learn.

oldmom

All these people saying schools should teach kids to cook.
Parents should teach kids to cook. Schools can't teach everything while parents abrogate all responsibility.

My 8 year old son can cook better than my husband can. He can also operate the washing machine better. My father in law can't boil an egg.

How many of you critical ladies taught all your children to cook before they left home?

Every single one of gransnet taught their children, who went on to create culinary delights every single evening, apparently.

I have taught mine to cook too and they all knew how to use the washing machine, changed their beds etc. the only trouble was getting them to do it!

All these people saying schools should teach kids to cook.
Parents should teach kids to cook. Schools can't teach everything while parents abrogate all responsibility.

My 8 year old son can cook better than my husband can. He can also operate the washing machine better. My father in law can't boil an egg.

How many of you critical ladies taught all your children to cook before they left home?

i find this discussion quite depressing.

We were taught to cook some meals at school ( 1950s) but I really taught myself to cook from cookery books. Plenty of recipes on the internet too. I am on my own now but I usually cook for myself every day. Very occasionally I have a ready meal if I get back home late although this is usually something I have previously cooked two portions of. They are useful if you are ill but luckily I seem to keep in good health. (keeping fingers crossed)

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