Setting the table for this family is complicated. It’s Adrian’s job, and whenever I try, I struggle a bit to get all the details right.

Eric and I want adult-sized glasses; Adrian prefers a smaller glass; Ingrid wants a mug but not the large mug.

Everybody likes adult-sized forks and knives. Adrian and Ingrid prefer smaller spoons.

Eric, Adrian and I use plates but Ingrid wants a bowl instead unless the food is something that really, really requires a plate, like pizza or a pancake.

And it’s not like it has to be done like that, nobody will get angry if it isn’t, but then they will swap things out until they’re just right, so we might as well get it right from the start.

And then there’s the drinks buffet. Literally with 4 people we have 5 or 6 bottles and jugs on the table. Water with lemon slices for myself; carbonated water flavoured with ginger shots for Eric; carbonated water with blackcurrant cordial for Ingrid; apple water (= much-diluted apple juice) for Adrian.

It seems kind of silly when I look at it. But on the other hand – if everybody can get what they want, why not? Why force everybody to accept some least common denominator?