For pot lucks at work a coworker always signs up for desserts

[Anonymous]

Can't stand potlucks and also dislike when people randomly bring in a dozen donuts or the leftovers from their weekend party. (You don't want that bag of Doritos at home because you're watching your calories (which you note) but thanks, we people at work don't care.)

Even worse is when the potluck also means asking for cube/office decorations/contests for extremely minor holidays like St. Patrick's Day. Glad to be retired and don't miss this. Thought it would go away after COVID but it did not. In every office I've worked in, it was usually one person who planned and organized. I was never sure if other people cared or just went along with it.

I worked in one office where they had them constantly. The usual organizer once planned and held one for a part-time co-worker's birthday on a day she did not work and was not there!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does this really upset you enough to post about? I would be highly annoyed if I were asked to bring anything for a pot luck at work. Luckily, my employer isn’t cheap and pay to cater events.

+100, this! Post COVID no employer should allow employees to host potlucks.

When you work for the government, using agency funds to buy food is a big “no.” Half the people are too cheap to pitch in a set amount for catering, and many refuse to leave the office. Potlucks are the only way parties happen. We accept some folks are going to bring cheap stuff. It’s ok.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not tacky. What’s tacky is the work potluck. Start there.

+1 this

If she doesn't cook or bake it feels comfortable doing so for a large work group (who would surely judge like you if the food isn't amazing), best to just buy.

Your workplace is cheap if you are doing potlucks, so who cares if the cookies were inexpensive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Tacky is to call the bag of assembly line cookies "dessert" and not be more specific, so it blocks out other people bringing better dessert.

This "problem" could easily be fixed by having multiple dessert sign up slots. And someone else can bring their great dessert or whatever.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am the person who always signs up for desserts, and brings something store-bought. I do it because I hate to cook, and my evenings are busy anyway carting my kids to their activities. I would much rather give money towards a catered lunch.

And you are the person we hate. If you hate to cook, which I get - bring something else store-bought that is actually decent like a good dip or premade salad. Or drinks! Don't block the creation of a possibly yummy and decadent homemade dessert out of your sheer laziness.

Who's "we"? Seriously, you think others are on board with your hate? Leave people alone. And FYI there's nothing more disgusting than store-bought dip. Gross. I don't hate people for having bad taste in food though....

No, "we" don't "hate to cook."

We have other things to do with our time off work besides shop to take things to work, or cook food for other people at work. If you make us participate in your potluck, for people who either love potlucks or people who don't have much else to do, we will bring the cheapest easiest thing we can get away with.

We are not obligated to buy our coworkers food. We are living in a large urban area (DC) where it is a pain to do anything with all the traffic, much less prepare optional food for work and then carry that food into work. This is not small town USA where it is easy to buy and prepare these things during and after your ten minute commute to work. ( I used to live in small town USA.)

I am currently not paid enough in the DC area to buy food for other people to eat for workplaces which are too cheap or too broke to provide food for staff.

Totally agree as a former fed. I'm taking a bus and then a metro to work. The last thing I want to do is lug a good fish to work

And initially I didn't even have a car. Going grocery shopping or to a bakery etc is a huge pain..esp if I forgot to plan ahead - no way to quickly pop out and buy something

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not tacky. What’s tacky is the work potluck. Start there.

This. I love those cookies. I’d totally put on ok my pinkie and eat around it in a circle.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not tacky. What’s tacky is the work potluck. Start there.

Preach.

No one likes these things. Anyone with even a mediocre amount of cleanliness standards should never eat at one.

I have seen some SH!T on TikTok while watching various cooking videos...people touching raw meat & then veggies, people allowing cats to walk on the counter where they are cooking or allowing cats to sit on the counter while they are cooking, and I've seen the absolute filthiest looking microwave insides and stovetops from cleaning looking people in nice homes on that app.

I always go get a plate because I'm forced to and then I hide it under a bunch of trash in my wastebasket. I eat a PB&J sammie in secret and go about my day. If I get to one early enough and am one of the first people to take a cookie out of a pack like this, I will. Otherwise I skip store-bought chips/cookies because none of you damn people wash your hands after peeing! I used to be sat by the toilets and heard the flush and the doors opening without any water running 99% of the time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not tacky. What’s tacky is the work potluck. Start there.

Preach.

No one likes these things. Anyone with even a mediocre amount of cleanliness standards should never eat at one.

I have seen some SH!T on TikTok while watching various cooking videos...people touching raw meat & then veggies, people allowing cats to walk on the counter where they are cooking or allowing cats to sit on the counter while they are cooking, and I've seen the absolute filthiest looking microwave insides and stovetops from cleaning looking people in nice homes on that app.

I always go get a plate because I'm forced to and then I hide it under a bunch of trash in my wastebasket. I eat a PB&J sammie in secret and go about my day. If I get to one early enough and am one of the first people to take a cookie out of a pack like this, I will. Otherwise I skip store-bought chips/cookies because none of you damn people wash your hands after peeing! I used to be sat by the toilets and heard the flush and the doors opening without any water running 99% of the time.

+1

I agree with all of the above!

[Anonymous]

I'll only eat things like the donuts or store bought food that I know has been refrigerated properly, if needed. I hate pot lucks. I'll bring deserts or paper goods but I'm not cooking and bring food hoping people will eat it.

[Anonymous]

You all are crazy for eating something your co-worker made. 🤢

[Anonymous]

What’s tacky are those that bring nothing and still eat! I’ve seen coworkers who lurk around the conference room waiting till the end and then fix themselves a huge plate and brought nothing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What’s tacky are those that bring nothing and still eat! I’ve seen coworkers who lurk around the conference room waiting till the end and then fix themselves a huge plate and brought nothing.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:And brings 2 packs of those butter/ shortbread ring cookies that usually sell for 2 for $3 in grocery stores. Is that tacky?

No, it’s actually genius.

[Anonymous]

I don’t do office potlucks anymore because why am I paying to cater the party? I think your coworker had the right approach and you are tacky for posting about it like big ole gossip

[Anonymous]

If you aren’t bringing the Bundt cake, you misunderstood the assignment.