It’s the thought that counts – so they say
By Fleur
@Fleura (26136)
United Kingdom
May 26, 2023 2:24am CST
I mentioned before that we were taking care of our neighbours’ cat while they were on holiday – they went to Portugal.
The day after they got back, we were out most of the day and then I went away for three days.
Our neighbour said she had a little something for us, and she would pop round with it and pick up the key. I told her I was away, but the others were still around. Nevertheless she must have decided to wait until I got back because she didn’t come.
So yesterday finally we met up and returned the key and she gave us this box of pastels de nata as a little ‘thankyou’ gift.
That was really not necessary but was thoughtful of her – but when I looked at the box at home I realised it had a ‘best before’ date of three days earlier! I thought we had better eat them right away, so I opened the box and we found they had started to go mouldy
I think they must have grabbed the box of typical Portuguese treats from the airport shop on the way home and not thought that they might not keep very well.
Not sure whether to be pleased to receive a box of mouldy pastries or whether it would have been better if they hadn’t bothered to get us anything!
All rights reserved. © Text and image copyright Fleur 2023.

26 people like this
24 responses

@BarBaraPrz (42118)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
26 May
@Fleura I probably would do the same, as those custard tarts are yummy (when fresh).
3 people like this

@evilamericans (909)
• Olney, Illinois
26 May
But of course it is the thought that counts! That is why people send thoughts and prayers! They work sooooo much better than actual help!
I (unfortunately) am the kind of guy whom next time I talked with the person would say something like "Oh, thank you for the pastries, they had the most exquisite mold on them!"
This is likely why I don't have many friends. 



5 people like this


@allknowing (121171)
• India
26 May
Something similar happened to me and I told my friend about it and she said I could throw it. I did and I posted a photo and sent it to her.
2 people like this

@allknowing (121171)
• India
26 May
@Fleura We are still friends and she appreciated it.
1 person likes this

@DaddyEvil (126754)
• United States
26 May
At least she tried to give you a treat for taking care of her cat... It's really not her fault they got moldy so quickly.
2 people like this
@DaddyEvil (126754)
• United States
26 May
@Fleura If they have a window to see them, I might if the price is low enough. We bought three day old donuts today because they were 20 cents each. I put them in the microwave and they taste fresh.
2 people like this
@just4him (278792)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
26 May
I would opt to think the best of their intentions. They probably didn't see the best before date. I know I often don't look for it on things like that. I would thank them for their thoughtfulness and not mention they had started to go moldy when you opened the package.
2 people like this
@changjiangzhibin89 (16634)
• China
26 May
Needless to say, you didn't tell your neighbour how the pastels de nata was.
1 person likes this
@Tampa_girl7 (51408)
• United States
29 May
Oh no, how disappointing to find them spoiled.

1 person likes this

@Tampa_girl7 (51408)
• United States
30 May
@Fleura it’s good that they weren’t a total waste.
1 person likes this

@wolfgirl569 (78458)
• Marion, Ohio
26 May
Sorry they are going bad. But the neighbor did try
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (16614)
•
27 May
Oh, I'm sorry. They should have at least checked the date on the box. If they don't check dates on foods, don't ever accept a dinner invitation from her...just sayin'...
1 person likes this
@BarBaraPrz (42118)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
26 May
Well, it's your fault for going away for three days...

1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (122897)
• United States
26 May
It's the thought that counts as they say. I'm sure she didn't check the date and had good intentions. Have a good weekend.
1 person likes this
@coldplay8 (5299)
• Zagreb, Croatia (Hrvatska)
27 May
i am sorry. i hope they didn check the date.
1 person likes this
