Fussy gal at BBQ, who spoiled our perfect party?

The other day, I joined about 20 others at a BBQ. We each brought some salads or desserts or whatever. And a couple guys worked the grill for ribs and burgers. There was a lot of food, all pretty and appealing. Weather was fantastic, the location was perfect.



A new gal was invited. She came with her daughter, and kind of spoiled the perfect party. She said she didn't like mayo, so couldn't eat the potato salad. She didn't like tuna, and therefore couldn't have the macaroni tuna salad. She hates ketchup, and mustard, and pickles. Oh, and don't ever get anywhere near her with those peas! She and her daughter sat there with plain burgers, just meat and buns. She asked the guys at the grill to make a burger for each of them, with some pink in the middle, please. All "gray" in the middle meant that the meat was burnt.



She did take an ear of corn after her burger was gone. She said she couldn't have it on her plate at the same time as the burger, because it makes her ill to see the food touching. She took a little bowl of strawberries for dessert, but not with the biscuits because whoever made the biscuits didn't make them large enough so they probably weren't fluffy. She also turned down the cool whip because if you can't whip cream from scratch, you don't care about your food very much.



She just recently moved to our part of the country, and she says she hates it here. She is used to big cities, and higher temperatures. And what is it that we all seem to like about our cold winters and small town? She had been "soo miserable all winter long begged her husband to apply for a transfer. " She cried and cried, but he had told her he can advance faster at this office. She said he is mean, and uncaring.



She is also tired of having to drive almost 100 miles to shop. The stores in the city near us just don't carry good clothes. KMart, WalMart, and Penneys. What self respecting person would wear clothes from these stores? She certainly can't send her little girl to school in crap like that.



Unfortunately, she and her family are the newest members of our little country church. I am pretty sure she will be coming to most of the events our church has. And most of the people from that church will not be critical of others. How do we deal with a gal with her personality, without resorting to talking nasty back to her?Fussy gal at BBQ, who spoiled our perfect party?
Bummer. It's really a shame when someone puts a damper on things and especially a fun cook out.



It's probably best to just tune out on the party pooper. She can't bring you and others down, unless you let her.



On the flip side, I think you hope to make things better, since you posted.



My thoughts are that she needs something to do. If you ask her to cover some part of a gathering, then she will be more invested and hopefully more likely to look on the bright side. Maybe you could ask her about a good side dish from her "city." Then, ask her to bring the dish. She'll have something she likes, and if she gets some positive feedback, then maybe she will be more accepting of others and what they do and contribute. Most people like to feel needed/wanted.



I am an outdoor cooking writer, and I enjoy cook outs period. They are a lot of work (but so much fun), and I'd never be critical of the efforts of others. I'll eat a burned burger and still enjoy it and have a good time. I think most people can find the bright side. Hopefully the new person to the group will come around discover that it's more about the people than anything else.Fussy gal at BBQ, who spoiled our perfect party?
Don't talk to her period. Both of you would probably just be faking it anyway.Fussy gal at BBQ, who spoiled our perfect party?
Well, first off she chose to move to where she is now. If she has internet, surely she could have googled map for a run down of her new location, making a logical choice to move there or not. Secondly, if she is bold enough and uncooth to complain to much about the food, let her fend for herself. Don't worry too much about how she likes her food prepared. Remind her that you and your community are not running a catering do for all. People like that seemed to never be pleased, so do your best just to ignore her.
You hold her down, I'll punch her. LOL

Just ignore her as much as you can. Maybe as a church lady, you might find some common ground that doesn't involve food.

She is a prissy city girl who couldn't make those busciuts - or anything else for that matter - her self.

She has probably never had real whipped cream but think she has.(I'm not hot on cool whip, but won't fault anyone for serving it)

It also sounds like she has kind of a crappy marriage that might spill into her interactions with people. Kind of sad really.