Potluck Etiquette

Did you ever wonder (as I did) who invented the unfortunate but ubiquitous custom/office tradition of the potluck? When I am totally devoid of things to ponder (no paint to watch drying, tired of watching eyebrows grow), I wonder who invented this habit. Was it an empty-nester whose children have all fled from motherly culinary efforts? Was it someone who eats out all the time for whatever reason and believed that it would be productive or team-building to devise a situation where everyone contributed a dish to a common area? I haven't conducted the research but the origins are decidedly less complicated than the results.

My current employment is one of those sites where pot lucks are cherished and planned with the gusto typical of the arrival of a new child. Each event is preceded by scores of emails, sign-up sheets and advertising sheets posted in conspicuous locations. It is unlikely that failure to participate will result in an efficient and immediate termination. We would all prefer to feel that our role in the company is determined by the amount and quality of the work that we perform, not the deliciousness of our baked goods.

In any case, I am consistently amused at the suspension of good taste and etiquette that I see evidenced in these pot luck feasts. One of them is the habit of eschewing the whole concept (this is done by both males and females), followed by gluttony and brazen grazing. It's fine to bad-mouth the tradition of many folks bringing edibles (if you are sufficiently politically incorrect or opposed to indulging in such rituals) but to me, hypocrisy occurs if you do so and then stuff yourself.

Another incorrect potluck habit is bringing incorrect contributions. Don't bring a six-pack of beverages if there are thirty-eight people in the department. Try not to bring foods with pork if you have a substantial number of co-workers who never touch pork products. If the theme is desserts, it's probably not a good idea to bring pot stickers. Some other protocols also apply - boxes of cereal are bad idea, as are tea bags, popsicles, blazing hot foods that are beyond the tolerance of most humans, sickeningly sweet desserts that allow for one or two bites or day old bread. Discretion is an excellent posture with respect to food items.

Several other protocols should be observed. Please don't leave your bowls or containers in the pot luck site at the end of the day. Regrettably, the last out of the office will have the responsibility of cleaning up after you. Secondly, if you're not part of the group holding the event, please don't believe that because you work for the same company that you're entitled to partake. Please don't double dip - when there are dips and salsa, please put some of the gooey stuff on your plate. If you are the designated organizer of the event, it's an excellent gesture to thank all those who went to the trouble to prepare and present. And finally, please don't stand around and provide a Martha Stewart review of every dish. Most of us don't care how much you like or dislike something. Taste buds are like bathrooms - everyone has one but they don't need to be discussed.

By no means should this data be construed as life-changing or of resounding political import. But for those of us who are the participants (willingly or unwillingly) of the potluck tradition, perhaps a modicum of good sense is in order.