<p>Well…when I go to the inlaws for anything, I offer to bring food, and usually bring some even if they say no. So…in my case, I likely would have made the offer, and my MIL would have said NO thanks. </p>
<p>But it would be just like her to call later and reconsider my offer. Maybe that is what happened with the OP.</p>
<p>Regardless…just smile and nod.</p>
<p>And let us all know how the party was z(and who brought the burgers).</p>
<p>The party was quite nice. She’s just an odd duck. It was a small thing to bring, almost like she divided up her grocery list! Or maybe she just thinks I can’t cook! LOL! One of the aunts gave DS a great gift of toiletries, laundry supplies, etc. He was actually pretty excited.</p>
<p>Or she just wanted to include you in the party setup in a small way to make you feel included? </p>
<p>I don’t know…I don’t know your relationship and history with her… :-/ </p>
<p>I would have given my in-laws at the time almost anything to stay home and double to my side. None of them god along and, in fact, at the time of my eldest’s high school graduation, neither side of the family had ever spoken to the other. My son and I had stomach aches that began in January of that year and neither one of us remembers being able to swallow a bite at the party! Age and divorce took care of the situation before the younger ones walked across a stage for a diploma…</p>
<p>The request seems odd to me. Not because she asked you to bring something per se, but the three tomatoes and a package of buns? Aren’t those basic bbq ingredients? It’s not like she’s asking for a side dish. </p>
<p>My mother isn’t attending graduation, thank heavens. Her all day presence at the grad party was enough. She constantly wanted my attention and kept yelling, “who’s that?” “why are they here?” A friend tried to take her home three times but she wouldn’t budge.</p>
<p>Count your blessings.</p>
<p>That sounds completely normal to me. Our parents often ask us to stop at the grocery store on the way to their house to pick up something that is better purchased fresh – lettuce and tomatoes for example, maybe hamburger buns too.</p>
<p>Were you asked to prepare the tomatoes and lettuce beforehand for sandwiches or was that done by the MIL once you got there? Glad the party was nice.</p>
<p>Many years ago when we were first married, we asked a bachelor friend to bring a salad. He showed up with some lettuce, tomato,etc… and we ended up having to wash everything and make the salad ourselves! Not exactly what we had in mind.</p>
<p>^^^
lol…unless I know that a single male is kitchen-savvy, I only would ask them to bring ready-made stuff…like a 12-pack of beer, or a case of bottled water.</p>
<p>When I worked a more traditional job, whenever there was a potluck, there were only a couple guys who actually made anything (one had a quacamole specialty and one had fab cookies)…the rest either had their wives make the dish or they contributed $10 towards the purchase of a large item (such as a catered lasagne).</p>
<p>I’m confused. What is strange about it? The items they requested, or the fact that they requested anything at all?</p>
<p>Agree. We learned our lesson. Actually, we asked him to bring the salad because he offered to bring a salad and we said fine, thinking it was one less thing to worry about. But you are right-he was a a prime candidate for just bringing some beer or pop or something like that. </p>
<br>
<br>
<p>:)</p>
<p>from the Midwest are we? </p>
<p>;)</p>
<p>Ok…I admit, I do think the requested list is odd as worded.</p>
<p>If she had said, “I have so much to do, could you bring a covered platter with sliced tomatoes, sliced onions, sliced cheese, and washed-burger-ready lettuce,” it would make more sense to me.</p>
<p>No, mom2collegekids, Pittsburgh.</p>
<p>^^^
is it pop in PA? :)</p>
<p>all my midwest family says “pop”…my calif family says coke…my southern friends say soda.</p>
<p>We say pop in the nw . I thought those in the south call carbonated beverages " coke"?</p>
<p>^^^
nope…not at least where I live…soda it is…but sweet tea is mostly requested. ;)</p>
<p>I think they say soda in eastern Pennsylvania but not 100% sure since I’m not from there, have only visited. </p>
<p>I thought it was odd also. Very detailed and requested a week ahead? And for the honored guest? I would call it quirky I guess. </p>
<p>I had a family member when asked to bring mashed potatoes to a holiday dinner, brought a bag of potatoes. Another family member then plugged the garbage disposal with the potato peelings. My H spent dinner unplugging the drain! It was a holiday to remember. If my (close) family member didn’t have time to make the potatoes and bring them, they only had to call. </p>
<p>I asked another family member to bring jello for a holiday. She didn’t know how to make jello (who doesn’t know how to make jello?) and went to the deli and bought very expensive jello. </p>
<p>I don’t really offer to host holidays anymore lol!</p>
<p>We asked a single guy friend to bring a non alcoholic drink to Thanksgiving last year. He brought Gator Aid. It still makes me giggle. It was emblematic of other issues, no blame. </p>
<p>In my part of the country, the Midwest, we usually all chip in for any social event, and I’ve not had luck saying that nothing needs to be brought along, as I know how to feed a crowd. Though for the grad parties, hosted by committee, we certainly did not ask for contributions. </p>
<p>My H sliced the tomatoes and washed the lettuce. We should have brought mayo because all they had was Miracle Whip! It just seemed like a strange request because it’s easy to pick those items up at the grocery when you’re getting the meat, etc. Other people brought deviled eggs, potato casserole, etc.</p>