Why do people go to restaurants for special occasions?

[Anonymous]

How is eating dinner out together a present?

[Anonymous]

For many people, it's a chance to share a meal where no one has to do the work. No prep, cooking, or cleaning up. Or maybe it's a chance to enjoy a meal not easily made at home.

[Anonymous]

I grew up poor and special occasions were the only times we ate out. Same with DH. It’s still a big deal for our parents. My dad, in particular, feels really happy if he can grab the check and insist on paying it.

We live in a small apartment. It’s possible to throw informal gatherings of up to 10 people comfortably. 20 in warm weather when we can expand onto the patio. Anything in fancy dress or with food requiring fork and knife, we can do six people total.

DH appreciates that I’m not too stressed from setting up or too tired from clean up.

[Anonymous]

I love going out to eat, but try to limit my meals out for money and health-so going out is a treat!

[Anonymous]

The novelty of eating out itself is a present - no prep work, cooking, cleanup,etc.
For people who eat 99% of their meals at home, going out to at at a restaurant is a treat. Bonus, if we can leave the kids behind with my inlaws.

Has this never crossed your mind? I'm guessing you're a DINKY in which going out to a restaurant with your spouse is part of your normal weekend routine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I grew up poor and special occasions were the only times we ate out. Same with DH. It’s still a big deal for our parents. My dad, in particular, feels really happy if he can grab the check and insist on paying it.

We live in a small apartment. It’s possible to throw informal gatherings of up to 10 people comfortably. 20 in warm weather when we can expand onto the patio. Anything in fancy dress or with food requiring fork and knife, we can do six people total.

DH appreciates that I’m not too stressed from setting up or too tired from clean up.

My DH's parents are not poor but they grew up in and lived for many years in rural areas with no dining options. So eating out at a nicer restaurant was only done on vacations. Even fast food like Popeyes was something for road trips or if they had to drive somewhere.

[Anonymous]

PP here with the formerly rural in laws...eating out is also something my MIL loves because she used to have to not just cook every meal but grow the veggies, can them, etc....a lot of work. They didn't grow the meat but they'd get a half cow from someone local with cows.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The novelty of eating out itself is a present - no prep work, cooking, cleanup,etc.
For people who eat 99% of their meals at home, going out to at at a restaurant is a treat. Bonus, if we can leave the kids behind with my inlaws.

Has this never crossed your mind? I'm guessing you're a DINKY in which going out to a restaurant with your spouse is part of your normal weekend routine.

IKR? Hello, this is only crossing your mind now??

[Anonymous]

What the hell? Are you really this dense? I don't have to procure or prepare the food, and I don't have to clean up afterward. And I get to enjoy a relaxed, often delicious meal with people I want to be with. That's why.

[Anonymous]

Are you really this stupid?

[Anonymous]

To try things that are too complicated or difficult to make at home. For the ambience, the people watching, the pleasure of being waited on from time to time, for the fun of getting dressed up or down and meeting friends out, to find out if the next new hot chef is really up to their game, to see what everyone's talking about and just to have a good time. That's why for me in a nutshell surrounded by pumpkin creme brûlée made from locally sourced organic caramel foam.

[Anonymous]

So that someone else does the shopping, prep, cooking and cleanup after making messy and complicated recipes. And you just enjoy it and go home.

[Anonymous]

Wow. Tales from the Bubble never cease to amaze me.

[Anonymous]

For the creativity of professional chefs, who have resources we don’t have at home. It can also be an experience. Going to minibar was like going to a show.

DH and I have never exchanged anniversary gifts, we agreed in year 1 that we would celebrate with a nice dinner out instead. This was when we were poor and rarely went to fancy restaurants but it started a nice, low stress tradition.

OP what is your idea of celebrating a special occasion?

[Anonymous]

OP, did you marry into a family where dinner out is the gift, but you expect presents? Would you prefer a present over a celebratory meal or do you want both?