Anonymous
06/15/2026 18:39
Subject: Work pot luck
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:How about we just don't make people hang out with work people on their free time?? Nope.
And especially on their own dollar! I once had a work potluck as a new employee. I’m South Asian. This was years ago, and the boss joked a couple times and sort of encouraged me to bring samosas. This was years ago, thankfully. 1) Just no. Don’t single me out like that. 2) I have no idea how to make them and they are pricey for a group! I did end up getting some because I felt awkward, but I was very annoyed, for multiple reasons.
My boss provided two pizzas, one pepperoni and one sausage, for a lab of two dozen people that was about half Muslim. I told her that this was pretty insensitive and she asked some people what they’d prefer for the next Lab Appreciation Week. Someone asked for samosas and she said they were too expensive.
Anonymous
06/15/2026 18:35
Subject: Work pot luck
Anonymous wrote:Sorry, I know this party set-up isn't your choice, but a PSA for others - if you're leadership and can't afford to host at your house, just have a potluck at the office or a local park. So strange to make your underlings bring food to your home.
I once was invited to a similar one - for a nonprofit where lower level employees were making under 50k per year. Sign up genius for literally everything, including napkins etc. We arrived and the host lived in a HUGE penthouse in Georgetown with a beautiful view of the Potomac. Went on about their art pieces. So so tacky, left such a bad taste.
I’ll give details here because I don’t even care if this outs me! My boss invited us to potluck at his home, a $2 million gorgeous mansion in Evanston. We were all grad students/lab techs making about $18/hr. I brought a freaking salad in a bowl on the El train because I didn’t even have a car. He provided spaghetti— no booze.
Anonymous
06/15/2026 08:31
Subject: Work pot luck
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:How about we just don't make people hang out with work people on their free time?? Nope.
And especially on their own dollar! I once had a work potluck as a new employee. I’m South Asian. This was years ago, and the boss joked a couple times and sort of encouraged me to bring samosas. This was years ago, thankfully. 1) Just no. Don’t single me out like that. 2) I have no idea how to make them and they are pricey for a group! I did end up getting some because I felt awkward, but I was very annoyed, for multiple reasons.
Sorry about that.
However, I must say that the most delicious samosas I ever had were brought to work one day by a coworker who had a favorite restaurant. He brought them in the same spirit as someone randomly bringing a box of donuts. They were so good, I had 3. I thanked him profusely.
PP here. Tbh, I have at other times brought them of my own choice. So, no issues with that. They are always a big hit. It was just very inappropriate of my boss to do. But it was the late 90s and I was in my early 20s. That hasn’t happened again and I would also know how to handle it more confidently.
Anonymous
06/14/2026 21:35
Subject: Work pot luck
I really don't want to eat food that coworkers make in their homes. I don't know the sanitariness of their kitchens. These are not friends, but rather, random people I work with.
Anonymous
06/14/2026 21:16
Subject: Work pot luck
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:How about we just don't make people hang out with work people on their free time?? Nope.
And especially on their own dollar! I once had a work potluck as a new employee. I’m South Asian. This was years ago, and the boss joked a couple times and sort of encouraged me to bring samosas. This was years ago, thankfully. 1) Just no. Don’t single me out like that. 2) I have no idea how to make them and they are pricey for a group! I did end up getting some because I felt awkward, but I was very annoyed, for multiple reasons.
Sorry about that.
However, I must say that the most delicious samosas I ever had were brought to work one day by a coworker who had a favorite restaurant. He brought them in the same spirit as someone randomly bringing a box of donuts. They were so good, I had 3. I thanked him profusely.
Anonymous
06/14/2026 20:25
Subject: Work pot luck
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Sorry, I know this party set-up isn't your choice, but a PSA for others - if you're leadership and can't afford to host at your house, just have a potluck at the office or a local park. So strange to make your underlings bring food to your home.
I once was invited to a similar one - for a nonprofit where lower level employees were making under 50k per year. Sign up genius for literally everything, including napkins etc. We arrived and the host lived in a HUGE penthouse in Georgetown with a beautiful view of the Potomac. Went on about their art pieces. So so tacky, left such a bad taste.
So cheap!!
Seriously cheap! Reminds me of my first job out of college. My boss invited us to her McMansion. She actually circled her grocery receipt in red and divided among the number of attendees. None of us had enough cash + this was before Venmo.
Ooh we need a side thread for these cheap employers. It's the best part of this thread. I had a tone deaf boss too and he invited everyone to his boat in Annapolis. I was a poor worker and only used metro. I didn't have a car and wouldn't afford a taxi without missing a student loan payment.
That was a kind invitation from your boss. Lose the chip on your shoulder.
Agree! You should have inquired about carpooling. You missed a nice opportunity.
Anonymous
06/12/2026 13:41
Subject: Work pot luck
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Sorry, I know this party set-up isn't your choice, but a PSA for others - if you're leadership and can't afford to host at your house, just have a potluck at the office or a local park. So strange to make your underlings bring food to your home.
I once was invited to a similar one - for a nonprofit where lower level employees were making under 50k per year. Sign up genius for literally everything, including napkins etc. We arrived and the host lived in a HUGE penthouse in Georgetown with a beautiful view of the Potomac. Went on about their art pieces. So so tacky, left such a bad taste.
So cheap!!
Seriously cheap! Reminds me of my first job out of college. My boss invited us to her McMansion. She actually circled her grocery receipt in red and divided among the number of attendees. None of us had enough cash + this was before Venmo.
Ooh we need a side thread for these cheap employers. It's the best part of this thread. I had a tone deaf boss too and he invited everyone to his boat in Annapolis. I was a poor worker and only used metro. I didn't have a car and wouldn't afford a taxi without missing a student loan payment.
That was a kind invitation from your boss. Lose the chip on your shoulder.
It was clearly tone deaf.
Anonymous
06/12/2026 13:37
Subject: Work pot luck
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Sorry, I know this party set-up isn't your choice, but a PSA for others - if you're leadership and can't afford to host at your house, just have a potluck at the office or a local park. So strange to make your underlings bring food to your home.
I once was invited to a similar one - for a nonprofit where lower level employees were making under 50k per year. Sign up genius for literally everything, including napkins etc. We arrived and the host lived in a HUGE penthouse in Georgetown with a beautiful view of the Potomac. Went on about their art pieces. So so tacky, left such a bad taste.
So cheap!!
Seriously cheap! Reminds me of my first job out of college. My boss invited us to her McMansion. She actually circled her grocery receipt in red and divided among the number of attendees. None of us had enough cash + this was before Venmo.
Ooh we need a side thread for these cheap employers. It's the best part of this thread. I had a tone deaf boss too and he invited everyone to his boat in Annapolis. I was a poor worker and only used metro. I didn't have a car and wouldn't afford a taxi without missing a student loan payment.
That was a kind invitation from your boss. Lose the chip on your shoulder.
Anonymous
06/12/2026 06:50
Subject: Re:Work pot luck
Another office potluck hater. When you’re working like a dog and barely have time to put a decent meal on the table for your own family, what makes you think I”ll enjoy making something to bring to work on top of every other way you infringe on my time outside of 9-5?
Anonymous
06/11/2026 18:01
Subject: Work pot luck
I'm so glad we got that perfect suggestion on page 1 (sesame noodles FTW! I'm craving some now!) so that we can use the rest of this time to hate on potlucks and cheap bosses.
Anonymous
06/11/2026 15:31
Subject: Work pot luck
Anonymous wrote:How about we just don't make people hang out with work people on their free time?? Nope.
And especially on their own dollar! I once had a work potluck as a new employee. I’m South Asian. This was years ago, and the boss joked a couple times and sort of encouraged me to bring samosas. This was years ago, thankfully. 1) Just no. Don’t single me out like that. 2) I have no idea how to make them and they are pricey for a group! I did end up getting some because I felt awkward, but I was very annoyed, for multiple reasons.
Anonymous
06/11/2026 14:36
Subject: Work pot luck
How about we just don't make people hang out with work people on their free time?? Nope.
Anonymous
06/11/2026 14:23
Subject: Work pot luck
Anonymous wrote:Our vp is hosting a casual pot luck at her house. I want to make a savory dish. Any ideas? I don’t know many people in the department yet as I’m new but I love to cook so can make a variety of things. No charcuterie as someone else is bringing that. Thanks!
Anonymous
06/11/2026 14:15
Subject: Work pot luck
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Sorry, I know this party set-up isn't your choice, but a PSA for others - if you're leadership and can't afford to host at your house, just have a potluck at the office or a local park. So strange to make your underlings bring food to your home.
I once was invited to a similar one - for a nonprofit where lower level employees were making under 50k per year. Sign up genius for literally everything, including napkins etc. We arrived and the host lived in a HUGE penthouse in Georgetown with a beautiful view of the Potomac. Went on about their art pieces. So so tacky, left such a bad taste.
So cheap!!
Seriously cheap! Reminds me of my first job out of college. My boss invited us to her McMansion. She actually circled her grocery receipt in red and divided among the number of attendees. None of us had enough cash + this was before Venmo.
Ooh we need a side thread for these cheap employers. It's the best part of this thread. I had a tone deaf boss too and he invited everyone to his boat in Annapolis. I was a poor worker and only used metro. I didn't have a car and wouldn't afford a taxi without missing a student loan payment.
Anonymous
06/11/2026 05:49
Subject: Re:Work pot luck
Anonymous wrote:My go to is spinach & artichoke dip with sliced baguette or crackers. It's a crowd pleaser and never lasts long.
How do you heat it?