This is a tough one. It's not just neighbors but also at work pot-lucks.

I am not keen on eating stuff from people I don't know, period. Probably because I've picked out cat or dog hair from stuff and then wondered what the hell else is in the food I can't see. I've also seen plenty of nose-picking being done by small children. Adults can also be guilty of this.

When people bring in stuff they proudly brag their kids have helped make I avoid those items. Particularly if there is any element of it that is uncooked. I've seen cupcake frosting and cookie frosting where lots of little fingerprints are obvious. I've even seen commercials with kids helping bake cookies or make marshmallow treats and the kids are licking their fingers as they help.

Fully aware that even worse goes on behind the scenes in restaurants but for some reason that doesn't bother me as much as seeing cat hair or little fingerprints on homemade items.

If the neighbor has a dog, but the cleaners come once per week, then what? Still pitch it? What if the person was raised in a Beverly Hills type community (more esteemed than say, Chevy Chase, MD) - very particular type? Still pitch it?

I wonder if some of you think you are better than you are.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I never eat food cooked by a neighbor. I thank them then toss it. How about you?

You could at least tell me so I stop wasting my time.

I hope you at least slip into a future conversation that you've found out that you have lots of food allergies and are limiting your diet to a few select foods. Save them the trouble.

Anonymous wrote:Truly would depend.

Do I know you well enough that I’ve been inside of your house? Does your house stink? Do you have a pet? Are you a meticulous housekeeper? What does your house smell like? Wet dog? Mothballs? Are you a neat and tidy person?

There are very very few neighbors whose food I would eat.

I’ve tossed out meal train food, too. The entire meal. Pitched! Word to the wise: if you lovingly and kindly drop off homemade meatballs to a new mom but then by way of breezy conversation at meal drop off, tell the new mom that your DC has pinworms...yeah, your meal is going in the trash.

No judgment, but why would someone this choosy even accept a meal train?

Anonymous wrote:So for those of you who say they would throw it in the trash if the neighbor would ask you, “I made pumpkin snickerdoodles. Would you like some or are you all sugared up after Halloween?” would you say yes or no?

I'm all sugared out, but thanks for the offer!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Omg I feel so bad for you miserable people.

Yeah, this is making me feel bad and weird about myself. I make homemade baked goods and have given them to neighbors. I’ve also made food for parties and dropped food off for people. I really do spend a lot of time thinking about what to make, looking up multiple recipes, and I spend on the best ingredients. It makes me sad that people might just be dumping the food. And it makes me feel weird or stupid for bothering to make anything.

I think it is so sweet when a neighbor brings over food and it is so, so appreciated because I know the effort and time that can go into cooking and baking! I think you should feel good about yourself for being such a thoughtful and kind person and continue with the gestures. Maybe there is an old crank you are wasting your energy on but I bet that most of the people who receive your food are very appreciative. I know I would be.

Depends on who it is. If they have animals-- no.

Anonymous wrote:I never eat food cooked by a neighbor. I thank them then toss it. How about you?

I don’t accept it any more.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Omg I feel so bad for you miserable people.

I'm not miserable. I'm happy to NOT be eating food that has cat hair in it. I'm happy to NOT be eating food prepared by hands that wiped shit and didn't get washed. Don't you understand that different people want different levels of involvement from their neighbors? I'm perfectly content giving a vague smile as I hurry along on my way. I don't need to be all up in your business hearing about your mother in law's anal prolapse and how it's affecting your husband's ability to get an erection.

Whelp, you just confirmed how miserable you actually are with that post.
Score one for PP.

I would only be miserable if I were desperate for deeper relationships with neighbors, but I'm not.

And they've dodged a bullet, so win win?

Truly would depend.

Do I know you well enough that I’ve been inside of your house? Does your house stink? Do you have a pet? Are you a meticulous housekeeper? What does your house smell like? Wet dog? Mothballs? Are you a neat and tidy person?

There are very very few neighbors whose food I would eat.

I’ve tossed out meal train food, too. The entire meal. Pitched! Word to the wise: if you lovingly and kindly drop off homemade meatballs to a new mom but then by way of breezy conversation at meal drop off, tell the new mom that your DC has pinworms...yeah, your meal is going in the trash.

Anonymous wrote:So for those of you who say they would throw it in the trash if the neighbor would ask you, “I made pumpkin snickerdoodles. Would you like some or are you all sugared up after Halloween?” would you say yes or no?

No thank you

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Omg I feel so bad for you miserable people.

I'm not miserable. I'm happy to NOT be eating food that has cat hair in it. I'm happy to NOT be eating food prepared by hands that wiped shit and didn't get washed. Don't you understand that different people want different levels of involvement from their neighbors? I'm perfectly content giving a vague smile as I hurry along on my way. I don't need to be all up in your business hearing about your mother in law's anal prolapse and how it's affecting your husband's ability to get an erection.

Omg

So for those of you who say they would throw it in the trash if the neighbor would ask you, “I made pumpkin snickerdoodles. Would you like some or are you all sugared up after Halloween?” would you say yes or no?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Omg I feel so bad for you miserable people.

I'm not miserable. I'm happy to NOT be eating food that has cat hair in it. I'm happy to NOT be eating food prepared by hands that wiped shit and didn't get washed. Don't you understand that different people want different levels of involvement from their neighbors? I'm perfectly content giving a vague smile as I hurry along on my way. I don't need to be all up in your business hearing about your mother in law's anal prolapse and how it's affecting your husband's ability to get an erection.

Whelp, you just confirmed how miserable you actually are with that post.
Score one for PP.

+1 clearly a miserable psycho.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Omg I feel so bad for you miserable people.

I'm not miserable. I'm happy to NOT be eating food that has cat hair in it. I'm happy to NOT be eating food prepared by hands that wiped shit and didn't get washed. Don't you understand that different people want different levels of involvement from their neighbors? I'm perfectly content giving a vague smile as I hurry along on my way. I don't need to be all up in your business hearing about your mother in law's anal prolapse and how it's affecting your husband's ability to get an erection.

Whelp, you just confirmed how miserable you actually are with that post.
Score one for PP.

I would only be miserable if I were desperate for deeper relationships with neighbors, but I'm not.