What is it with Americans and pot-lucks?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, how many kids do you have, and do you work full time? I have 2 (5 and 2) and work a truly full time job. I like to entertain and we have a nice yard, better than our friends, when we get together its usually here. We're having them tomorrow... I just spent the last 2 hours prepping a very simple menu (for 15 people including kids) and getting the backyard ready, another hour shoppping after working all week, and i have another hour tomorrow of prep. I'm happy to do it once i. A while but exhausted... This is why we only see our friends 2x yr. i prefer to host properly and i dont even mind the spend, but really, I'd be willing to do it more if we did potluck - and we all have fun hanging out while the kids play, so whats the harm?

Op here. 2 kids between 6 and 9. We host about once a month. Both work full time. I don't spend any time prepping the yard or house, but several hours shopping, cooking etc., and on those occasions when I am not hosting I don't want to have to cook then too.

When we serve food, we usually have a theme like Thai or Indian - I am not sure why I would want people bringing their deep-fried corn dogs or chicken casserole.

[Anonymous]

I love pot lucks. I would always rather bring a side dish or a dessert than a hostess gift and I hate going to anyone's home empty handed.

I guess my experience though is that the host provides the main dish / protien and drinks - guests bring salads, sides, and dessert.

[Anonymous]

When I'm hosting I always have enough so that no one has to bring anything. However, if they say "can I bring x", I let them bring whatever it is. The only meal I potluck is Thanksgiving. Everyone hates to do it, so we each make a couple of things.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I love potlucks! I love all of the random food that you can try.

+1

Potlucks are awesome!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, how many kids do you have, and do you work full time? I have 2 (5 and 2) and work a truly full time job. I like to entertain and we have a nice yard, better than our friends, when we get together its usually here. We're having them tomorrow... I just spent the last 2 hours prepping a very simple menu (for 15 people including kids) and getting the backyard ready, another hour shoppping after working all week, and i have another hour tomorrow of prep. I'm happy to do it once i. A while but exhausted... This is why we only see our friends 2x yr. i prefer to host properly and i dont even mind the spend, but really, I'd be willing to do it more if we did potluck - and we all have fun hanging out while the kids play, so whats the harm?

Op here. 2 kids between 6 and 9. We host about once a month. Both work full time. I don't spend any time prepping the yard or house, but several hours shopping, cooking etc., and on those occasions when I am not hosting I don't want to have to cook then too.

When we serve food, we usually have a theme like Thai or Indian - I am not sure why I would want people bringing their deep-fried corn dogs or chicken casserole.

Fair point, if true, but is that really what your friends would bring to your house? The only time I've ever been to that kind of random potluck is the office party and block party, where no one can reasonably be expected to coordinate. Among my friends, it is more like "what can I being?" "Well, i'm going to do bbq and cornbread, could you do a veggie/side/dessert" And we end up with cole slaw, mac and cheese, and brownies and ice cream. No corn dogs or casserole, menu that works, and less work for host. In fact, you've talked me into it - I will host potlucks more often. (Now, my inlaws in the midwest would show up with green bean casserole, so no potlucks there...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, how many kids do you have, and do you work full time? I have 2 (5 and 2) and work a truly full time job. I like to entertain and we have a nice yard, better than our friends, when we get together its usually here. We're having them tomorrow... I just spent the last 2 hours prepping a very simple menu (for 15 people including kids) and getting the backyard ready, another hour shoppping after working all week, and i have another hour tomorrow of prep. I'm happy to do it once i. A while but exhausted... This is why we only see our friends 2x yr. i prefer to host properly and i dont even mind the spend, but really, I'd be willing to do it more if we did potluck - and we all have fun hanging out while the kids play, so whats the harm?

Op here. 2 kids between 6 and 9. We host about once a month. Both work full time. I don't spend any time prepping the yard or house, but several hours shopping, cooking etc., and on those occasions when I am not hosting I don't want to have to cook then too.

When we serve food, we usually have a theme like Thai or Indian - I am not sure why I would want people bringing their deep-fried corn dogs or chicken casserole.

Fair point, if true, but is that really what your friends would bring to your house? The only time I've ever been to that kind of random potluck is the office party and block party, where no one can reasonably be expected to coordinate. Among my friends, it is more like "what can I being?" "Well, i'm going to do bbq and cornbread, could you do a veggie/side/dessert" And we end up with cole slaw, mac and cheese, and brownies and ice cream. No corn dogs or casserole, menu that works, and less work for host. In fact, you've talked me into it - I will host potlucks more often. (Now, my inlaws in the midwest would show up with green bean casserole, so no potlucks there...

+1. We had an Easter egg hunt/neighborhood potluck and I already feel like it's been too long! OP, if you really do have friends who bring chicken casserole or corn dogs, I feel sorry for you. We have a couple neighbors who bring crappy cookies from a mix or similar, but mostly the contributions are delish.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I love potlucks! I love all of the random food that you can try.

Me, too. I just do not have all these issues with food. People bring stuff, I eat it. I am a very good cook so people are happy with what I bring, and we all have fun.

[Anonymous]

It's all about the Benjamins.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Nobody ever brings anything good. Ever.

Too bad your friends can't cook (or you are too picky). I've picked up many great recipes at pot lucks.

+1

Some people have friends who bring macaroni salad, hot dogs or grocery deli cookies I think.

[Anonymous]

It's part of our frontier spirit!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's part of our frontier spirit!

[Anonymous]

I am born and raised American. I love the idea of potlucks, but as a vegetarian who loathes mayonnaise, there is rarely anything I can eat! Some of the menus above indicate it perfectly: hot dogs, cole slaw, burgers, etc. I love love the idea of a potluck Indian or Thai meal, but have never encountered them.

[Anonymous]

OMG I lovvvvvveeee pot lucks!!! Especially when the guests are either good cooks or ethnic cooks. So delicious trying people's"best" dishes.

Anyone can invite me for a potluck. I love it!

[Anonymous]

You don't have to attend the potlucks, just say no to them. We host full dinner parties where we serve everythign but also do neighborhood dinners where the host supplies the entree and others bring salads, sides and desserts. Always ends up great and makes it so much easier to host a casual gathering.

[Anonymous]

Lots of Chinese have potlucks