Was this rude of me?

[Anonymous]

Not sure if this should be posted here or the food forum.
DH and I were at a dinner party tonight and for dessert the hostess brought out brownies. I had one and they seemed pretty good so I say "these are tasty. Are they from a box or did you make them scratch?" The hostess looked really annoyed when i asked and said "me and Duncan made them together." Then she looked at her good friend and sort of rolled her eyes. Before we left a friend who was there said to me kinda jokingly (but also kinda not) "Ooohh, you offended Francesca and her dessert, she is never going to invite you over again!" Then, in the car back home, my husband told me I probably shouldn't have questioned where the brownies were from. And she was probably offended.
So, did I make a total dinner party snafu? What is the big deal about boxed vs scratch brownies? Both taste delicious. I feel like I would never be so sensitive about something like this.

[Anonymous]

Yeah, that wasn't very nice. I would be a little offended if someone said that to me, unless I was known as someone who could not cook.

[Anonymous]

Faux Pas! I make them all the time. You will live. Bitch is just sensitive. LOL

Anonymous wrote:Not sure if this should be posted here or the food forum.
DH and I were at a dinner party tonight and for dessert the hostess brought out brownies. I had one and they seemed pretty good so I say "these are tasty. Are they from a box or did you make them scratch?" The hostess looked really annoyed when i asked and said "me and Duncan made them together." Then she looked at her good friend and sort of rolled her eyes. Before we left a friend who was there said to me kinda jokingly (but also kinda not) "Ooohh, you offended Francesca and her dessert, she is never going to invite you over again!" Then, in the car back home, my husband told me I probably shouldn't have questioned where the brownies were from. And she was probably offended.
So, did I make a total dinner party snafu? What is the big deal about boxed vs scratch brownies? Both taste delicious. I feel like I would never be so sensitive about something like this.

[Anonymous]

What you said was harmless but also a little thoughtless. Next time just stop after "these are tasty".

[Anonymous]

It took me a long time to perfect a brownie recipe that gave me something better than a box. So if somewhere along the line you thought mine were from a box, I'd be psyched! Though mine now are actually much better than boxed now

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not sure if this should be posted here or the food forum.
DH and I were at a dinner party tonight and for dessert the hostess brought out brownies. I had one and they seemed pretty good so I say "these are tasty. Are they from a box or did you make them scratch?" The hostess looked really annoyed when i asked and said "me and Duncan made them together." Then she looked at her good friend and sort of rolled her eyes. Before we left a friend who was there said to me kinda jokingly (but also kinda not) "Ooohh, you offended Francesca and her dessert, she is never going to invite you over again!" Then, in the car back home, my husband told me I probably shouldn't have questioned where the brownies were from. And she was probably offended.
So, did I make a total dinner party snafu? What is the big deal about boxed vs scratch brownies? Both taste delicious. I feel like I would never be so sensitive about something like this.

If your host was miffed, it's only for being called out on making boxed brownies. She probs thought she was pulling a fast one, maybe added an extra ingredient. And if she did make them from scratch, now she knows her recipe is easily mistaken for boxed, and she could change that.

PS.- Maybe you don't need this friend/ acquaintance anyway.

[Anonymous]

You may have put her on the spot a bit by asking in front of a group, but unless she had reason to believe that you were trying to embarrass her she was the rude one with that reaction.

[Anonymous]

Context is everything OP. You didn't give us enough information to make a call.

[Anonymous]

Maybe she didn't want the world to know she made boxed brownies, but you kind of put her on the spot

[Anonymous]

Her ego sounds a little fragile if she's offended by being "accused" of making brownies from a box. At the same time, a hostess wants to keep some secrets and you kind of directed everyone's attention "behind the curtain." Next time don't ask.

[Anonymous]

Yes, rude.

[Anonymous]

A more polite way to do it would be to ask if she's willing to share the recipe.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A more polite way to do it would be to ask if she's willing to share the recipe.

+1.

[Anonymous]

Wow. I wouldn't be offended at all, but then again I'm not a sensitive snob.

[Anonymous]

Who makes brownies from scratch?