What would you have done in this hypothetical situation?

[debodun]

Say you were invited to a co-workers home for a social function where food is being served. Afterwards the host insists that you take some of the leftover food home and even gives you containers for it, then leaves the kitchen. You start to transfer food when a voice behind you says, "What do you think you're doing?" You turn around to see the host's daugher standing there with a big scowl on her face. You explain that her mother said you could help yourself to the leftovers. She exclaims that her mother had no right to do that and quickly grabs the food away and puts in back in the refrigerator and leaves the kitchen. A minute later the host returns and asks where the food is. You explain what happened. The host only says "I'll speak to her later about that.", but doesn't offer the food again. Is this a gross case of mis-communication or a set-up to humiliate you?

 

[Pinky]

I would say it's a case of mis-communication.

 

[Murrmurr]

Since it's a co-worker's home and not a relative's home, I would refuse the leftovers. But to answer the question I'd say it's a case of miscommunication.

 

[debodun]

It seems to me the host would have more say as to what happens than the daughter.

 

[grahamg]

Say you were invited to a co-workers home for a social function where food is being served. Afterwards the host insists that you take some of the leftover food home and even gives you containers for it, then leaves the kitchen. You start to transfer food when a voice behind you says, "What do you think you're doing?" You turn around to see the host's daugher standing there with a big scowl on her face. You explain that her mother said you could help yourself to the leftovers. She exclaims that her mother had no right to do that and quickly grabs the food away and puts in back in the refrigerator and leaves the kitchen. A minute later the host returns and asks where the food is. You explain what happened. The host only says "I'll speak to her later about that.", but doesn't offer the food again. Is this a gross case of mis-communication or a set-up to humiliate you?

Nowt to worry about, "just families", behaving as families sometimes do, (yon girl has some growing up to do obviously).

 

[debodun]

Since it's a co-worker's home and not a relative's home, I would refuse the leftovers.

Why?

 

[debodun]

Nowt to worry about, "just families", behaving as families sometimes do, (yon girl has some growing up to do obviously).

Say the "girl" is in her 30s.

 

[Aunt Bea]

IMO it's not worth thinking about.

I can understand the host having more concerns over ruffling a family member's feathers than those of a coworker.

 

[Nathan]

Is this a gross case of mis-communication or a set-up to humiliate you?

Well there are some very damaged people out there, but I can't imagine anyone trying to set you up for humiliation...seriously.
I wouldn't be coming by there again for dinner tho', just sayin.

 

[Shalimar]

Well there are some very damaged people out there, but I can't imagine anyone trying to set you up for humiliation...seriously.
I wouldn't be coming by there again for dinner tho', just sayin.

Qft.

 

[win231]

I'd ask the mother where she found her daughter & did she have any kids that lived.

Actually, I'd assume the mother didn't offer the food again because she was distracted by her daughter's rudeness.

 

[grahamg]

Say the "girl" is in her 30s.

It may sound daft but thirty something year olds can be immature, and certainly stupid, best put it down to a combination and don't get too ruffled by it as others have said.

 

[Aunt Marg]

Say you were invited to a co-workers home for a social function where food is being served. Afterwards the host insists that you take some of the leftover food home and even gives you containers for it, then leaves the kitchen. You start to transfer food when a voice behind you says, "What do you think you're doing?" You turn around to see the host's daugher standing there with a big scowl on her face. You explain that her mother said you could help yourself to the leftovers. She exclaims that her mother had no right to do that and quickly grabs the food away and puts in back in the refrigerator and leaves the kitchen. A minute later the host returns and asks where the food is. You explain what happened. The host only says "I'll speak to her later about that.", but doesn't offer the food again. Is this a gross case of mis-communication or a set-up to humiliate you?

If such happened to me, that would be the last they seen of me.

 

[Devi]

What @Aunt Marg said. If she offered the food, then didn't offer it, then I'd avoid any "next time".

 

[Jules]

Was the daughter at the dinner table? What was her attitude like there?

The mother was probably rattled and didn’t know how to deal with it.

Don’t let the daughter win. If you’re invited back, return.

 

[Gary O']

Is this a gross case of mis-communication or a set-up

It's obviously a set-up
They're out to get you, deb
The whole meal was carefully planned, for weeks, extra food and all

If it were me, I'd have at least pocketed a few deviled eggs when she left the kitchen

 

[Devi]

@Jules -- you have a point.

 

[officerripley]

**

?

 

[Kathleen’s Place]

I’d ask if I could have one hell of a strong drink before I left!!! . I’m sure it was NOT meant to humiliate you. If anything the mother was humiliated by the daughter! What a brat.

 

[Butterfly]

Why on earth would you think it was a "setup to humiliate you?" Why would anyone do that? Invite you to their home just to humiliate you? I doubt that the whole interchange had anything to do with you at all (except that you were the one who happened to be in the middle of it), but was some kind of "who's in charge" thing between mother and daughter.

 

[Knight]

The host only says "I'll speak to her later about that.", but doesn't offer the food again. Is this a gross case of mis-communication or a set-up to humiliate you?

You posted it was a social function not a one person [You] invitation to dinner. As such the answer is clear a mis-communication.

AS for the co-worker can you imagine her embarrassment? Let it go since you can't control the bad behavior of the daughter but have to inter act with the co-worker.

 

[Gaer]

What would I do?
LAUGH! THANK THE HOSTESS! quietly take my LEAVE! hahaha!

 

[Murrmurr]

Why?

It just doesn't seem like good etiquette, but maybe that's just me. If I was hosting a dinner party for co-workers I would announce to everyone that they could take leftovers if there was plenty to be had. It would feel weird to single out one person even if we were friends outside of work.

 

[wcwbf]

i'd go home with a great story to tell others later. ... you're never gonna believe what happened over at so&so's house!

 

[Wren]

I would’ve gone straight to find the mother, brought her back to the kitchen together with the daughter, and said, “Tell her will you” ?