They usually say: nobody told me what to bring. Shame.

^^^^^^^^^^^^
Poor excuse. Just bring several bags of chips.

I miss the pot lucks that we had once a month in the mobile home senior living park in Mesa.

Even if a quarter of the people brought nothing.

The guidelines were posted for those unfamiliar with the tradition.

Minimum of five, 1/3 cup servings.

Seconds are ok, no you can't take some home for later.

And a roster sheet of who would be providing what.

( Prevents 6 tubs of cottage cheese)

New XD 45 owner

I'd rather have nothing than the person who goes and gets grocery store chicken.

Nobody told me.

The county I work for has a number of employee events every year with instructions to “bring a dish to share.”

I have never been to one.

I’m lucky to be able to cook something for me to eat on any particular day, and none of it is shareable. I once got a, “Well, bring some soda and chips,” when I mentioned that I didn’t do “dishes,” and then I pointed out that neither was a “dish.” If I can bring something, then say “something,” not “dish.”

One time I spent 4 or 5 hours making gourmet deviled eggs with the expensive dried chipped beef.

So I take it in and put in the frig. They were planning on a 12:00 luncheon but someone decided to start at 11:00.

By the time some of us that worked in the SCIF arrived, there was not much left. One person had five or six of my deviled eggs and he noted that was his second helping and how good they were. I said something about being a hog and his response was that they weren't mine.

I go over and get the empty container and turn it upside down exposing my name on the bottom. He was lost for words.

That was the last time I went to a pot luck luncheon.

Heck, bring napkins or paper plates or something. The aforementioned sign-up sheet can even accommodate that, at least for a workplace event.

One place I used to work had about 40 folks on the combined team and we would do some serious potlucks; we had the process down to a science. There were occasionally some who chose not to contribute - they were welcome to still eat with the group but usually chose not to of their own accord. It all worked out for all involved.

Now that this topic comes up, the last big potluck I was part of was, not surprisingly, just before the pandemic “landed.” I think we did a St. Patrick’s Day bash if I’m remembering correctly back in 2020. Time to get that sign-up sheet dusted back off!

quote:

Originally posted by john crusher:
I'd rather have nothing than the person who goes and gets grocery store chicken.

I got to disagree with you. Publix or Winn Dixie can make some pretty decent fried chicken.

quote:

Originally posted by xd45man:

quote:

Originally posted by john crusher:
I'd rather have nothing than the person who goes and gets grocery store chicken.

I got to disagree with you. Publix or Winn Dixie can make some pretty decent fried chicken.

Maybe they brought raw chicken?

Publix fried chicken is pretty good to me.

Even the culinary challenged people used to bring
S o m e t h i n g.

A couple of 2 liter pops,
Some chips
A loaf of bread some butter.

Potato salad or coleslaw
Three lady's were famous for bringing Jello, one even added fruit.

A pack of baloney and some pickles.
I set the place crazy when I made a gallon of beef/bean chili.

They were talking about it for three days.

Agreed, very annoying

Even worse is when the bloviating asshole acts like a food critic and makes comments on what would make dishes better. Had a neighbor do that at a potluck and it was the last time I spoke to him before moving away 2 years later.

I used to work with a guy who would show up with a loaf of cheap store brand sliced white bread. And his wife and three kids, who he’d tell “free food, kids-eat lots”.

Bring buns, bring cookies, chips. Or ASK prior to the event what to bring!

I avoid these events for some of the reason's mentioned.

My firehouse has occasional dinners for the volunteer crew and their families. Sometimes pot luck style, other times just a flat price of like $10 to eat.

After watching some of these people, their rudeness and selfishness, I just stopped going.

People loading up 2 full plates of food and half the other people haven't even gone through the line once yet. There are some 2 liters of soda and some gallons of tea for everyone. One woman takes an entire 2 liter just for her and her husband (no kids) and plops it down on the table where they are sitting.

The best dishes were the ones that looked unusual and nobody would try them.

I'd go near the end of the line and try a small serving of every one that no one else had touched. Delicious!

quote:

I set the place crazy when I made a gallon of beef/bean chili.

I made chili once at a hunting camp. The deer were safe for the next day or two.

At my work they had a Christmas lunch. The manager went to Walmart and bought a day old meat tray and bread. Then he put up signs up saying if you didn't bring a side dish or dessert you ate nothing, LOL. I drove a truck, they ate at 11:00AM, I get back at 4:00PM. Food sitting out for 5 hours. Never ate a bite. I don't miss that place one bit.

Bring nothing, make a plate and a to go plate before anyone else gets to eat. I don't go to these things anymore

One December ,
Four people went in and purchased a big turkey,

Another group of five went together and got 2 big ole Costco hams.

25 other neighbors brought side dishes, deserts, 6 different beverages .

Everyone went home full, happy and grateful