Do You Think It's Rude

The rudeness, in my opinion, isn't in the refusal, but in the form the refusal takes. If someone politely declines, I don't feel that is rude. What would be rude is to insist they try something they have politely declined.

Rude. They should at least try it or drink something.

I am allergic to many types of food and my friends know that. They don't get offended if I don't eat the food, because they know the reason. If I am able to eat the food I will eat some of it even if I don't really like it. I think it is polite to eat at least a bit of it.

@ihasaquestion I have heard mixed feelings about this before and I will be honest that I don't understand how not eating is rude. If the whole idea was to have that guest over for dinner and you went out of your way to prepare and cook the meal for them then I could understand but if a guest just happens to be there around dinner time, well they don't have to eat if they don't wish to. I personally wouldn't feel annoyed if a guest of mine didn't want to eat. I wouldn't want to force someone to do something they didn't want to do as they would have their reasons for not wanting to eat.

@ihasaquestion Maybe it is something they cannot eat or drink and just sitting at the table is nice. No, that would not bother me.

It's rude if they don't have any genuine reason behind it

That depends on a couple of things. Were the guests expecting there to be food? Was it prepared specifically for the guests? Sometimes, a guest might not be able to have the food (if they have an allergy or if they can't eat it for another reason) so it is OK to politely decline. If it's just some snacks that have been prepared then it's up to the guest whether they have it or not. If a meal has been prepared, it would be rude. If I invite people round, I'll usually offer drinks or snacks but I wouldn't be offended if people decline them.

I think it's very rude. At least they have to enjoy drinking what I have offered hahaa

I think it is only rude if you are invited for a full meal, if it is snack foods, that is your choice.

I would assume that either they don't like that type if dish or they cannot eat it because of dietary issues. I try to find out if there is any dietary restrictions before I make the dinner.

If you let them know food will be served they may come hungry. If the house is unkept and animals inside I may not eat, but that is just me.

Why coming if they are not going at least taste the food that was serve to them.

If I had guests and they chose not to eat or drink what I gave them, I would actually find it a little rude, unless they couldn't (for say, medical reasons such as allergies or something.)

For me that will be a very very very okay and no offense because I'll have a lots of food to take home hahaha

i noticed that many brought'p the subject 'f food allergies'n dietary restrictions. i've many 'f those myself 'n ask prior if 'tis alright if'n i bring my own. if the folks act 'ffended, i jest don't go. 'tis harsh to jest jump to the conclusion folks don't 'ppreciate yer effort'n preparin' all that food 'n drinks.

For me it is rude. Trying a bit or morsel of it may please the host. My husband is a picky eater but when we visit friends are there are foods he doesnt like, he tries a bit of this and a bit of that somehow.

Well... It's rude but sometimes I do understand that there can be genuine issues as well.... So I keep a little window open in my thought process.