Should I Ban My Cousins Durian Dish from our Family Dinner Party?
"Would I be in the wrong for not allowing my cousin to bring her infamous durian dish to our family dinner party? Seeking advice on handling this sensitive situation."
A 29-year-old guy is about to find out how fast family dinner plans can go off the rails, and it all starts with one cousin’s new obsession: durian. If you’ve ever caught a whiff of that notorious fruit, you already know why this is a problem. If you haven’t, just picture the kind of smell that clings to everything and refuses to leave quietly.
This Sunday, it’s OP’s turn to host in a small apartment with basically no ventilation. His cousin Sarah has been hyping up her durian dish nonstop, and OP is stuck between two bad options: let her bring it and risk everyone’s comfort, or say no and watch Sarah and possibly the rest of the family get disappointed or curious.
Now OP is wondering if he’s about to be the villain of the family dinner, just because durian exists.
Original Post
So I (29M) come from a close-knit family that loves to gather for Sunday dinners. We rotate hosting duties, and this week it's my turn.
For background, my cousin, let's call her Sarah, is known for her love of exotic foods. Sarah recently discovered a passion for cooking with durian fruit, infamous for its pungent odor.
She's been raving about her new durian dish non-stop. I've always been sensitive to strong smells, especially durian.
The thought of it at our family dinner makes me uneasy, but knowing Sarah's excitement, I didn't want to shut her down. However, I have a small apartment without much ventilation, and the lingering smell could be an issue.
As the dinner approaches, I'm contemplating asking Sarah not to bring her durian dish. I know she'll be disappointed, and some family members might be curious to try it.
Still, the potential discomfort for others, including me, is a real concern. So, would I be the a*****e for refusing to let Sarah bring her notorious durian fruit dish to our family dinner party?
Really need outside perspective.
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It’s a lot like the debate in when a cousin got excluded for insulting cooking.
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OP is already worried his apartment will turn into a durian-scented trap the moment Sarah walks in with her dish.
The closer Sunday gets, the more OP has to weigh Sarah’s excitement against the fact that the smell will linger in his not-so-breezy space.
Even the thought that other family members might want to “try it” is making OP feel like he’s hosting a smell-based surprise.
When OP considers telling Sarah not to bring the dish, he’s basically bracing for the awkward fallout before the first bite even happens.
What are your thoughts on this situation? Share your perspective in the comments below.
The family dinner did not end well, and it was all because durian refused to be subtle.
Before you ban Sarah’s durian, see how one host handled in-laws bringing their own dishes.
