The term “Swedengate” went viral last week when the Internet found out people in Sweden don’t always feed their houseguests. But it turns out a fair number of Americans don’t either . . .The website YouGov did a poll that found almost one in five Americans wouldn’t let an unexpected guest stay for dinner. Or they’d at least do their best to avoid it.
72% of people said if someone stopped by around dinnertime, they’d make them a plate or invite them to eat. But 18% wouldn’t. And the other 10% weren’t sure, or said it depends. Of that 18% who wouldn’t, around half would encourage the person to leave when it was time to eat. The other half would let them stay, but not offer them food.
The part of the country you live in matters. Midwesterners are the most likely to fix you a plate . . . and people in the Northeast are the least likely to. 79% of people in the Midwest said yes. So did 74% out West, and 72% of Southerners. But only 63% of people in the Northeast would offer food.
