Hey Girlie!!!
I thought I’d take some time out to drop some essential jewels on the unsuspecting, unbothered folks out there who just LOVE a good potluck situation…’cuz Lord knows I do!!! I don’t like a wide variety of foods, but I do take part in the libations of a BYOB/BYOD situation (Bring Your Own Bottle/Drink/Dish). I instantly get excited over the endless possibilities!!! (Sad but true 😝) This is to help you NOT make the same mistakes I’ve seen made time and time again because it is NOT okay!
The best kind of potluck to be a part of is one where everyone shares the menu upfront. In this way, you have an idea of the plethora of tasty bites that will be at your disposal. As a person who doesn’t eat different types or food, or even, experiments with new dishes, events where the food is uncertain can be a bit stressful. It could be the same for people who may be vegan, on a gluten-free diet, or anyone with any sort of dietary restrictions.
So, if you’re COOL enough to be invited to a potluck 😉, then act like you have some common sense and etiquette to NOT do the following:
1. Show Up Too Late
One of the most crucial aspects of a potluck is that everyone brings a dish. So, if you’re the person bringing the chicken, you can’t have folks waiting on you to arrive…Chicken is an essential component to the plate!!! (Or replace chicken with whatever is your staple meat/dish)
Have some respect and some class and show up on time with your dish. Fashionably late is a 15-30 minute thing. Anything more is disrespectful to the hungry people in attendance! Do everyone (and yourself) a favor by coming on time. No CP time for this type of event allowed.
2. Show Up With an Undocumented Dish
Now, if this potluck event did not specify what everyone is bringing (not my kind of potluck, but there’s something for everyone, right?), then you can continue reading on. But if you SAID, you’re bringing some fried chicken (yes, I’m obsessed with chicken), but then you bring a fruit salad instead. This is NOT comparable.
Now, if you’re the person who has done this before, you ought to be ashamed of yourself! I’m here to tell you that the host of this event probably talked about you BAD! I know I would have 😁.
Be a woman of your word and BRING THE DISH YOU SAID YOU WERE GOING TO BRING!!! No substitutes, especially without warning. By the way, telling people an hour before the event that your dish changed is just as tacky… Don’t be TACKY, girl. You’re better than that.
3. Don’t Be Ms. TAKEAWAY
Last, but not least… For my people in the back…
Don’t plan to take away more food than you brought. There is nothing worse than the person who brought the chips and salsa, also bringing a bag filled with tupperware to take home a bit of what everyone brought. Ask yourself this: How you bring a snack and taking home a full meal or two? That doesn’t add up.
Pulling a stunt like this will have you uninvited to the next potluck, seriously. I stress to you, don’t be Ms. Takeaway. While your belly will be full for the night, your homies will think you’re inconsiderate, thirsty and worst of all, tacky!!! And who wants a tacky friend?!?! Not me!!!
Let it All Sink In
Follow these tips on what not to do for your next potluck event and you’ll find yourself being invited again and again. Remember, a potluck is a shared dining experience for you and your friends to enjoy. Make it a memorable one in a good way, not where the host regrets inviting you. Leave a good, lasting impression wherever you go. If you can’t afford to participate in a way that is required, then stay yo a$$ home!!! MmmmKaayy
Be the friend that everyone can count on, especially when it comes to potluck…
Leave a comment to let me know if you ever experienced a friend who pulled one of these and how you handled it.
Here’s a musical reminder by one of my favs, Bruno Mars…
