Arrrrrgh! This is doing my head in.

[organic]

Sounds like I'm too late but I'd have been tempted to try this...

...go out after Bean's in bed.
Go for a meal exactly as planned.
Have a drink before ordering, have a starter, a main and take your time deciding what to order for desert.
Stick around for a drink after the meal - then go to the theatre.

"The meal took longer than we expected."
"What do you mean we can't go in now it's started?"

"Yea, we went... but by the time we'd eaten and got to the theatre we weren't allowed in as it had started. So we went to pub-x or bar-y and while we were there I saw a flyer for (band you like) in concert which is much more my cup of tea. Maybe I'll go along to that."

You don't go, you get a night out, drop the hint that you're not into Floyd and also drop a band name you do like for future reference.
Devious or what?


That said I completely agree that honesty is the far easier approach. No lies to trip up on, no need to make others lie to back you up, no embarassing mistakes, nothing.

Hope it doesn't become a major diplomatic incident.

[janeyo]

This happens to me all the time and I get so fed up with having to grin and bare it!

I would be tempted to just feign illness, get a movie and bottle of wine in and stay in with LW and bean and chill

Wimp me lol

[HeyWayne]

Go, you never know, you might just enjoy it.
I would imagine your sister will be disappointed to hear that their gift wasn't appreciated.
I would go and say nothing, after all it is a night out.

Never said the gift isn't appreciated, it's just not as easy as just going out.

Currently deploying my heaviest diplomacy with my sister via email...

[Pumpy]

Take advantage of the free baby sitting.
Have a meal, sell or give away your tickets at the theatre. Go to the pub/cinema etc whatever you want to do. You got a night off, enjoy it!

FInd out what time the show ends, go home and say it was brilliant, thanks.

P

[HeyWayne]

Not disimilar to another plan I'd thought of.

Go to the show, watch and 'enjoy'

Interval arrives - nip out for dinner.

We saw the show, and we had dinner.

There's just that bit about not liking Pink Floyd that could trip me up...

Sounds like I'm too late but I'd have been tempted to try this...

...go out after Bean's in bed.
Go for a meal exactly as planned.
Have a drink before ordering, have a starter, a main and take your time deciding what to order for desert.
Stick around for a drink after the meal - then go to the theatre.

"The meal took longer than we expected."
"What do you mean we can't go in now it's started?"

"Yea, we went... but by the time we'd eaten and got to the theatre we weren't allowed in as it had started. So we went to pub-x or bar-y and while we were there I saw a flyer for (band you like) in concert which is much more my cup of tea. Maybe I'll go along to that."

You don't go, you get a night out, drop the hint that you're not into Floyd and also drop a band name you do like for future reference.
Devious or what?


That said I completely agree that honesty is the far easier approach. No lies to trip up on, no need to make others lie to back you up, no embarassing mistakes, nothing.

Hope it doesn't become a major diplomatic incident.

[Nicos]

TBH- I'd be really hurt if I'd spent so much £ on tickets ( they couldn't have been cheap) just to see them go to waste ...there's always someone willing to use /buy them- I like Piskie's idea!!

Hope it goes well- I bet they were getting quite excited for you!!!

[HeyWayne]

Awww maaaan! Now look;

Reply from sis.

I'd be lying if I said I wasn't disappointed as we wanted to get something you'd appreciate as you've said about mimic-style gifts, etc and it's been a waste so we wanted to get something a little different that's all.

We could have changed the tickets for something else or got gift vouchers instead but it's a little late to do that now.

I totally understand Bean probably not getting off too well with someone else putting him to bed though. Although, never know unless you try and all that. We've got no problems in feeding, bathing and bedding. I've babysat plenty of times and Fiance' Dude's had proper parental experience.

If it's gonna be too much of a problem, we'll go as I said. Just have to hold the dinner babysitting for another night.

Now I feel properly rubbish!

[janeyo]

I think this is a no-win thing for all of you.
Hope you get it sorted.
me I'm grateful for someone babysitting even if it meant I could go and sit on the car for an hour in the quiet lol

[Nicos]

Nope, don't ......they'll have a brill time- they just feel a bit guilty like you do.
As they say- it's the thought that counts- and it's very touching that they made an effort for you. Be pleased.
Perhaps when they babysit- you can make it up to them by buying a take away and some wine and a nice film???

[Hilary B]

Belated honesty often causes more bother than either speaking out straight away, OR just pretending, it is also very often what happens in such situations. The longer you go on stressing about it, the more sure you are that you should say, and the harder it is on the misguided present purchaser.

[HeyWayne]

Nope, don't ......they'll have a brill time- they just feel a bit guilty like you do.
As they say- it's the thought that counts- and it's very touching that they made an effort for you. Be pleased.
Perhaps when they babysit- you can make it up to them by buying a take away and some wine and a nice film???

Trouble is, our DVD player isn't speaking to the telly.

I don't think LadyWayne will be speaking to me when I tell her I've 'fessed up'.

Maybe me and the DVD player can have a chat.

[Nicos]

Quick- nip and buy a new one out of your pocket money!!!

[HeyWayne]

Quick- nip and buy a new one out of your pocket money!!!

Pocket money!?

That's going on a driving licence and passport renewal this month!

[Seahorse]

I reckon you're overthinking it all HW. You have willing babysitters and a chance of a night out. Maybe not the night out you'd have picked but still! Get your glad rags on and enjoy it!

[HeyWayne]

The passport may come in more handy than I perhaps realised...