Do visiting family REALLY expect ‘cocktail hour’ on night SIX of a visit?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You can tell these "cocktail" hour at 5pm folks never had long commutes and two people working full time jobs.

I would ask them to mix something up for everyone OP.

I am a SAHM with a workaholic husband who mostly WFH. 5pm is like the middle of the afternoon for him and nowhere close to the end of the working day. We're lucky to see him by 7.

Like I said, you can tell.the in laws never had to work too hard if they were able to have "cocktail hour" at 5pm every night.

lol. Someone up thread said her dad gave her a drink while she was “working” (logged on) to her fake work from home email job. Over half of DCUM has a fake email job.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You can tell these "cocktail" hour at 5pm folks never had long commutes and two people working full time jobs.

I would ask them to mix something up for everyone OP.

I am a SAHM with a workaholic husband who mostly WFH. 5pm is like the middle of the afternoon for him and nowhere close to the end of the working day. We're lucky to see him by 7.

Like I said, you can tell.the in laws never had to work too hard if they were able to have "cocktail hour" at 5pm every night.

We worked long hours during our careers. DH did not get home until 7:00pm at the earliest and I did not get home until 8:30-10:00pm during a 5 day work week. Now that we’re are semi retired we can definitely do a cocktail hour at 5:00. Remote work helps too as already home. 😁

[Anonymous]

Mommy Wine Culture is waiting in the wings for when Boomer Cocktail Culture dies out.

[Anonymous]

I think beverage breaks are amazing. Does not have to be alcoholic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am so over hosting my ILs! They’re still here, which I wouldn’t mind so much, but they are very much still in “we expect to be hosted” mode. DH is at work and doesn’t get home until 6:30. I’m phoning in dinner with a Stouffer’s lasagna, a salad, and some breadsticks.

ILs asked “what are you planning to serve for cocktail hour.” Um, nothing. There’s beer and wine if you want to help yourself. You can scrounge around and make yourself cheese and crackers if you want to. But like, the nights of shrimp and full service are over. Thank goodness they leave tomorrow. Who expects to be fully hosted after so much time parked in someone else’s home?

This forum has turned into nothing but anti social cranks.

My grandpa was a very successful and very busy attorney and loved to entertain and host family and friends. Cocktail hour was every night at 5 pm. Didn’t matter who was visiting, he would have some light food, pour everyone booze and get people socializing.

Everyone has fond memories of my grandpa. What memories will people have of a crank who serves frozen lasagna?

How many nights a week did your charming grandpa cook dinner?

[Anonymous]

Your original response was spot on.

Or, you could say, "Frank and I usually don't have cocktail hour, but I'll be serving lasagna when Frank comes home at 6:30."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I actually LOVE the good time Charlie boomers who do this. Let’s all get loose and socializing. Why dilly dally and be bored from 4pm to whenever dinner is served. Then after dinner you’re full and tired (especially “sun setting” elderly family). Getting a buzz and kibitzing when everyone is still sharp and alert 4pm-7pm is great fun. Cherish it.

Agree 100 percent! So fun chit chatting with all given most want to go to bed by 9.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I actually LOVE the good time Charlie boomers who do this. Let’s all get loose and socializing. Why dilly dally and be bored from 4pm to whenever dinner is served. Then after dinner you’re full and tired (especially “sun setting” elderly family). Getting a buzz and kibitzing when everyone is still sharp and alert 4pm-7pm is great fun. Cherish it.

Agree 100 percent! So fun chit chatting with all given most want to go to bed by 9.

Yes, but without their son? On night six? Give it a rest. Needy old grumps.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:“You can ask your son about that. He’ll be home at 6:30pm.”

This.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Happy hour is nightly at 5 at my parents’ house. If you are there, dad hand delivers your preferred beverage to you at precisely 5 and mom sets out snacks. Even when I visit and am still working, my drink is handed to me at 5, which was interesting to explain during COVID to my colleagues who were bemused by my dad appearing in my zoom background and handing me a beverage. I think it’s adorable and he has always stocked the ingredients for everyone’s favorite drink, even if he only has one friend who likes that drink “just in case Jim stops by.”

I love this. I just don't want others to expect it of me.

[Anonymous]

Serve ice cream.

[Anonymous]

Seriously, how hard is it to have an open bar and a bowl of pretzels?

I would absolutely have a cocktail hour for my ILs or parents if they came over for a visit? I am good for visits up to 6 months.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am so over hosting my ILs! They’re still here, which I wouldn’t mind so much, but they are very much still in “we expect to be hosted” mode. DH is at work and doesn’t get home until 6:30. I’m phoning in dinner with a Stouffer’s lasagna, a salad, and some breadsticks.

ILs asked “what are you planning to serve for cocktail hour.” Um, nothing. There’s beer and wine if you want to help yourself. You can scrounge around and make yourself cheese and crackers if you want to. But like, the nights of shrimp and full service are over. Thank goodness they leave tomorrow. Who expects to be fully hosted after so much time parked in someone else’s home?

This forum has turned into nothing but anti social cranks.

My grandpa was a very successful and very busy attorney and loved to entertain and host family and friends. Cocktail hour was every night at 5 pm. Didn’t matter who was visiting, he would have some light food, pour everyone booze and get people socializing.

Everyone has fond memories of my grandpa. What memories will people have of a crank who serves frozen lasagna?

How many nights a week did your charming grandpa cook dinner?

+1