Say you have a friend who knows you like wine, specifically red wine. Say this friend, being thoughtful and wanting to surprise you, bought a bottle of red wine and surprised you with a glass after dinner. Now suppose it is really not good. Really not good. What is the proper reaction?
I thanked him for being so thoughtful, because he was. I commended him for remembering that I prefer red, which is proof he pays attention. I did not, however, take a third sip - two tries were enough to be certain of my opinion. I told him wine is tough, and that I am sort of a wine snob, so he should probably not make that particular gesture in the future. After all, he is a non-drinker, and when he did drink it was not red wine.
He said I should have finished the (quite full) glass and said something to him later. Did I mention it was really bad not good?
I think it is better to be honest. I am not the type to fake enjoyment of something that ain't workin' for me. I wouldn't want anyone to lie to me about something like that. What do you think?
BTW: The wine was a Lambrusco. Are they always that sweet, or is it because it was Reunite? Would I be safe trying a different Lambrusco or am I likely to have the same reaction? It tasted similar to a cooking sherry - is that the idea? Anyone?
Posted by Vox at March 5, 2005 06:15 PM | generalI am with you. Why choke something down just to risk having the gesture repeated? I would have appreciated the honesty and went back to the drawing board. Besides who needs the extra sugar and alcohol if it's REALLY not good.
Posted by: onelamb at March 5, 2005 09:46 PMI'm pretty up front an honest. I met my new neighbor one day and his zipper was down, without hesitation I told him. Not quite the same situation but same idea, to say something or not. Honesty is the best policy!
Posted by: wickld at March 6, 2005 01:41 PMLambrusco??!! That cracks me up because when I was a terrible teen that is the stuff me and my buds would drink to get drunk with very little money. hahahaha.
As for being honest or not, I don't know what to tell you. It's hard not to hurt people's feelings but then you don't want another bottle of Lambrusco in the future either. This would be a great question for Dear Abby.
Posted by: Lori at March 7, 2005 12:01 AMHad he given you a glass of spoiled milk (assuming he's not a milk drinker and bought some just for you), would he have expected you to drink the whole thing and then mention it later?
Yuck. I've had really bad wine a couple of times...and as a hostess, I'd rather the people tell me what I bought isn't any good than have them sit there and suffer.
But, that's just me.
Posted by: Stacy at March 11, 2005 01:58 PMWow - it's almost like getting my own "Dear Snarky" reply :-)
But why is it that men, having tasted spoiled milk themselves, will insist that you taste it as well? I have had this happen on more than one occasion - and it makes no sense to me. They usually try the "I just want you opinion" to which I say "my opinion is; if you think it tastes bad, you won't drink it regardless of what my tastebuds say. So throw it out." They never seem to grasp my logic
Posted by: Vox at March 11, 2005 04:13 PM