So yesterday I and my family went to my brother's place to celebrate my niece's sixth birthday. My SIL had ordered one of those fancy princess cakes with multiple layers and gobs of icing. When she offered me cake I declined. (Just for context, she has a history of making snide remarks about my weight loss. Sometimes I accept her offers, but there was also fruit available last night and I really needed to get back on track after holiday indulgences.) Immediately after that she offered my husband a piece, and he said, "Sure, I'll have some cake to honour Robyn's birthday." The implication, to my ears, was that I had dishonoured her birthday by refusing the cake. When I mentioned this to hubby later, he said he hadn't intended any slight. I believed him, but did point out his poor choice of words.
Then we discussed the whole issue of whether refusing food is ever rude. He said it was probably considered rude in our parents' generation, but that etiquette has been changing in this regard. I, for one, would like to see all obligations to accept and eat food disappear. It's part of the reason for our collective weight problems, IMO. Thoughts?
Freelance
Love language? Come follow me at www.englishgrammargripe.com