Hosting Colleagues for Dinner

[Anonymous]

My colleagues and I all work remotely across the country. A handful of them will be in town for a conference this spring and I offered to have them over for a home cooked meal that represents my culture. We get along well however I’ve never hosted a group of colleagues at my home before. Has anyone ever done this? I generally love to entertain at home and volunteered in this instance but am now thinking about potential pitfalls…

[Anonymous]

What's your culture? Just make the basics from it, and let the chips fall where they may. Of course people have hosted colleagues for dinner. Come on.

[Anonymous]

I've done it quite a bit. No pitfalls that I can think of, really.

Although I never lean into my culture when I do it, just make a standard kind of entertaining menu. That might be the pitfall to watch out for. (No idea what your culture is, but can be tricky)

[Anonymous]

What is your culture? You need to make sure you have some blander food available too. Not everyone will be up for really spicy/different food and won't want to feel like they are offending you.

[Anonymous]

It’s not the culture/food I’m concerned about it’s having them in my house. Does having people over change the dynamic at all? Not trying to be obtuse but I don’t usually blend my work and personal lives especially because we almost exclusively interact virtually.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s not the culture/food I’m concerned about it’s having them in my house. Does having people over change the dynamic at all? Not trying to be obtuse but I don’t usually blend my work and personal lives especially because we almost exclusively interact virtually.

I think it depends on the colleagues, but I think it's really nice! If folks know about the cuisine ahead of time, don't make bland or boring food just to be safe: make what you're planning to make (and ask ahead of time if anyone has dietary restrictions you can accommodate) Give folks a heads-up if you're a shoes-off household, or you don't bring alcohol into your house, or anything else that might not be common in US mainstream.

Are you worried about people knowing too much about your personal life? If you have a very fancy job because of a high-earning spouse so you don't need a raise or promotion? Or a parent living in you're home for whom you're providing care and people will worry that you're distracted?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s not the culture/food I’m concerned about it’s having them in my house. Does having people over change the dynamic at all? Not trying to be obtuse but I don’t usually blend my work and personal lives especially because we almost exclusively interact virtually.

I think it depends on the colleagues, but I think it's really nice! If folks know about the cuisine ahead of time, don't make bland or boring food just to be safe: make what you're planning to make (and ask ahead of time if anyone has dietary restrictions you can accommodate) Give folks a heads-up if you're a shoes-off household, or you don't bring alcohol into your house, or anything else that might not be common in US mainstream.

Are you worried about people knowing too much about your personal life? If you have a very fancy job because of a high-earning spouse so you don't need a raise or promotion? Or a parent living in you're home for whom you're providing care and people will worry that you're distracted?

This is helpful, thank you. I’ll make traditional food and include other options that are more mainstream. No concerns about anything they’ll see at my house, just inviting coworkers into my space is new for me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My colleagues and I all work remotely across the country. A handful of them will be in town for a conference this spring and I offered to have them over for a home cooked meal that represents my culture. We get along well however I’ve never hosted a group of colleagues at my home before. Has anyone ever done this? I generally love to entertain at home and volunteered in this instance but am now thinking about potential pitfalls…

We're in a similar situation (hosting co-workers/colleagues for a holiday dinner party) and are looking for a way to make the evening fun and special, and not just "another" dinner party. I thought it would be fun for people to feed each other. No everyone knows each other very well, so am thinking this (having them feed the person next to them at a few points during the dinner) could be a good way to break the ice.

[Anonymous]

My German colleague did this for about 15 of us when we were in Germany and it was lovely. We loved trying the food and drink. Her husband was amazing and gracious. Her young boys loved the attention. I would say don’t overthink it and enjoy it don’t stress. Make what you usually make everyone will sample and try what they like - doesn’t matter if they gobble up the food or just try things. The point is that you opened your home to your team.