When it comes to expressing your thoughts to your neighbor, it's essential to maintain a polite and respectful tone to avoid causing any offense or hurt feelings. Here's a suggestion on how you could address the situation:
Find a positive aspect: Begin the conversation by focusing on something positive to soften the feedback. Compliment something you genuinely appreciate about them or their actions. For example, you could say, "Hey, I noticed you've been making an effort in the kitchen lately, and that's really nice to see."
Be empathetic: Show understanding and empathy towards their efforts and achievements. You might say, "I know cooking can be a challenge, but it's great that you're trying out new recipes."
Acknowledge their son's magic trick: Even if you weren't very impressed, acknowledge their son's effort to perform a magic trick. You could say, "Your son's magic trick was interesting, and it's nice to see him sharing his talents."
Lightly touch on the topic of weather apps: If the weather app was a part of the conversation, you can mention it casually without sounding dismissive. For example, "Yeah, weather apps have become quite handy these days, right? We can easily plan our days."
Be subtle in your response about the meal: Instead of directly criticizing the meal, you can be more subtle and focus on your personal preferences. For instance, "I prefer spicier or more adventurous flavors, but it's good to see you experimenting with different dishes."
Redirect the conversation: After sharing your thoughts, shift the conversation to another topic. Ask them about their other interests or plans. This redirection can help ease any potential discomfort caused by the feedback.
Remember, the goal is to be polite and respectful while expressing your thoughts honestly. Everyone has different tastes and opinions, and it's important to be mindful of that when sharing feedback.