So, question for the masses. How is asking people to bring their own meat somehow more egregious than asking people to bring a side dish and their own drinks? Personally, two burgers (or whatever) requires way less prep and expenses on my part than a side dish large enough to pass and drinks. Is it that the meat is an "entree?"
See I guess I just see the meat as an entree and it strikes me as odd to invite people to dinner and have them bring the main course. But then I kind of assumed they were told to bring meat for everyone not just themselves. Like I said we do this a couple of times a summer, impromptu last minute get together thing. I can see your point about there not really being a difference I am just stuck on the main course thing for some reason.
It could go either way depending on how well the guests know each other, theme of the party etc. bringing your own meat also requires you to cook it yourself so that gets hard unless you have a large grill accommodate? bringing a side means I get to set it down and people can just dig in. I would never ask a guest to bring their own meat...when you are a guest you should be able to relax and just enjoy the company. Usually when people ask what they can bring I say wine or beer, never food that requires the guest to do much.
We used to do this more in our twenties, pre-kids. If someone had a grill, they might invite people over but say, "bring whatever you want to throw on the grill." We also did it recently at a big neighborhood party--they said just bring meat for your family. The resort we go to in the summer also has a big potluck lunch that's BYOM--they supply corn on the cob, paper goods, and lemonade.
While I would never do this for a formal party, and wouldn't now that I'm older, I don't see anything wrong with it for a group of young people or a really casual cookout.
So, question for the masses. How is asking people to bring their own meat somehow more egregious than asking people to bring a side dish and their own drinks? Personally, two burgers (or whatever) requires way less prep and expenses on my part than a side dish large enough to pass and drinks. Is it that the meat is an "entree?"
To me, if you host a party, you provide for your guests. It's always nice if someone asks what they can bring and you can say a salad or a dessert. If they forget or no show, you aren't relying on them to cater the party. If a family forgot or didn't understand this party, they would be hungry or you'd be cutting g burgers in half or something. It just doesn't feel hospitable to me.