interesting article on how guidebooks describe US.

[Deleted]

www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2012/06/welcome-to-america-please-be-on-time-what-guide-books-tell-foreign-visitors-to-the-us/257993/

It seems I am often rude in my own culture. My cooking skills are horrible so I only bring already prepared things from deli things to parties. I'm pretty sure if I didn't, my friends wouldn't eat anything I made

[anna7602]

I think it's all about what the prepared ready-to-serve food is. I was quite annoyed with one of DH's foreign co-workers who came to DD's 1st birthday party and brought a store-bought BIRTHDAY CAKE. I had gone to great trouble for DD's 1st birthday cake and felt obliged to serve both alongside each other.

The more I reflect on it, though, the more I really don't dig people showing up at my house with prepared food in general. I agree with the article. If you want to bring something, ask me. If I don't know you very well, I will probably refuse your offer or tell you to bring a beverage.

[Deleted]

Most of the time we bring something is to a bbq and our friends provide the main dish and we bring the sides. I would never show up at a birthday party of dinner party with anything other than wine.

[ninjatofu]

I'm awful at this. I Never know what to bring. I'm a rubbish cook and an even worse baker, so store bought us usually the best bet for me. I know nothing about wine and prefer to bring flowers or something.

I'm a bad guest!

[travelingturtle]

I hate bringing food, but I always offer.

Anna, did this birthday cake incident happen in France or in the states?