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I always bring food....usually dessert. I never thought of it as annoying!

No! But I do like the bring the host a gift like a bottle of wine.

Nope - usually just a bottle of wine for the hostess.

I think it is polite to bring something, but if the invite said no food then I would bring something else ... like wine!

I always bring wine!

That's so weird--I would never bring food unless it was a potluck/prior arrangement. In our circle if it's not a potluck then you bring beer, wine, or some booze to share.

I bring wine!

Not if it's not a potluck! If I feel like I must bring something I'd ask the host so I don't mess up their plans. Or just bring bottle of wine/flower arrangement, fruit basket..

I only feel obligated to bring a gift like wine. It's up to the host wether to serve it. I make sure they know the gift is for them and it's not meant to be apart of the meal. There have been times when people bring a "gift" only to ask to drink their wine/specific alcohol or where a plate of this or that can go on the table.

Bringing additional food or drink to be served during the meal undercuts what the host already purchased, prepared, and planned to serve. I think hosts would rather have left over because they over estimated how much everyone would eat rather than people choosing to eat someone else's (uninvited) dish. Besides unless someone is so familiar with your kitchen or bar area having to now accomodate their addition to the meal is a hassle.

I agree, this is weird! I always bring a hostess gift - wine or fancy olive oil are my go-to's. But I wouldn't bring food with the intention that it be served at the party if I hadn't been asked to bring something.

My husband's family all does this though. Last time we had my in-laws over for dinner my mother-in-law brought chili!

I always offer and bring at least a hostess gift (chocolates, flowers or wine) if they insist that I don't need to bring anything.

In my circle of close friend the hosting family makes the main dish and others supplement with sides and appetizers so it's not as big of a burden to host and that way we can get together more frequently. Other friends that we see once a year or so usually provide everything and we do so the same when we host them

@sandy: We do this with our immediate family too. But there are times where I know I want to serve a really nice dinner party where it's 100% just enjoyment for my guests. I want to make all the dishes and have them relax, you know? So I can see, in that scenario, how someone bringing a bunch of food would be super annoying.

I ask if I can bring anything. If the host says no, I show up with a bottle of liquor (never wine) or a potted plant,flowers. Sometimes I bring artisanal olive oil and vinegar.

@.twist.: yeah I would never show up with a dish if the hostess told me he/she has everything covered. I can't even believe someone would bring a dish when told not to...weird. Especially something like a sushi platter...

I'd always bring something. If the host specified not to, I'd bring something for them for later.

I ask what I can bring, and if they say nothing I bring a bottle of wine (and explicitly tell them it's for whenever...no pressure to open it that night).