Volkswagen90:
Some

Magnoliaa:
Lol. I can relate. I do it as well sometimes and I think it's something my parents have subconsciously instilled in me, as a courtesy gesture. I don't know if it's right or wrong sha. You don't want to appear like a wild and famished animal, or that you only came to their place to eat (their) food. You no eat before leaving your house? And it depends on the kind of meeting too.

After I have initially, but 'politely' ignored the offer, I'll acknowledge and put it down beside me or on the table first, then ignore again for another round and the host will be like, 'eat your food; you haven't started eating?' 'Oh, I will eat, ma... it's hot, it's this, my stomach...This movie...' and I'll go back to watching the TV, genuinely, though. There are even some guests that will come to your house and NOT touch any of the drinks or meats you put before them. I always pray for that sha, na that one dey sweet me, because I know I'll get to deal with them later. After all, if the guests had eaten it, it won't be there anymore, so mummy, let me eat it.

It depends on different social cues sha, but as a norm, you're not going to your guest's house to eat. I mean, eating, as in your main meal and such. The food is a refreshment added to the main reason for the gathering's purpose.

It's courtesy for you to offer, it's courtesy for you to decline. Exceptions apply though.

Richy4:

Who serves food from the back ... What about putting it on centre table or dinning table and call the person to come and eat.. obviously the person is watching an interesting program on TV..

ChiefSosa:
Mostly regarded as courtesy. I remember someone visiting me while I was eating, i said: "come and join me", I thought he'll say "thank you", e shock me when this guy went to bring fork to eat.
We also have some people that don't just eat at anybody's house they visit.
If I know you on a regular and you offer me something when I visit you; I might eat.

In boarding school as a kid, u can't ask such a question... before u said u don't have two spoons, he will tell U not to worry he got one..
Come and eat,..Thank You?
Except that student was just returning from their home and doesn't want whatever u were eating to ruin what he has eaten

FalseProphet1:
It's called self respect, everyone is hungry but you have to respect yourself so as to accord respect by your hosts.

NobleSeed:
that's just the code
Make them no go dey talk say that boy na longer throat you just need to form hard man first, especially if the person offering you the food is the one that do beg for their food to be eaten, they hate rejection even when you told them you're fed.