Please Tell me I'm Not Alone Regarding Work Potlucks

[Handbag Lady]

Okay, I'll say it. Work potlucks weird me out something crazy.

I don't know how clean my co-workers keep their kitchens. I can see how well they don't clean the kitchen here. I don't wish to eat mystery dishes. I can't try them and say they are horrible, right? No matter what, you HAVE to say, "Oh, that's yummy!"

So, tomorrow I shall eat the store-bought stuff and leave it at that.

Am I alone in this?

 

[daisyduck123]

Okay, I'll say it. Work potlucks weird me out something crazy.

I don't know how clean my co-workers keep their kitchens. I can see how well they don't clean the kitchen here. I don't wish to eat mystery dishes. I can't try them and say they are horrible, right? No matter what, you HAVE to say, "Oh, that's yummy!"

So, tomorrow I shall eat the store-bought stuff and leave it at that.

Am I alone in this?

Nope, you are not alone in this.

I am an elementary school teacher.

I NEVER eat any of the goodies that parents send in for me, unless the parent is a good friend of mine. I have seen other people's kitchens ...it's just not worth it. (My school does not have potlucks, so I don't have to worry about that).

 

[Magic Mom]

There are definitely a few people at work that I stear clear from their potluck food.

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

I figure, if it's not killing them, it won't kill me.

 

[MizTink]

i used to work with a lady that had her feelings hurt because no one would eat the food she brought in.
we worked in a food prep area and saw the stuff she did.
and she talked about "shaking off" her clothes when she got dressed in the morning in case roaches were on them!!

 

[kerrynic78]

After eating a couple clumps of cat hair before I realized it, I now avoid work potlucks!

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

i used to work with a lady that had her feelings hurt because no one would eat the food she brought in.
we worked in a food prep area and saw the stuff she did.
and she talked about "shaking off" her clothes when she got dressed in the morning in case roaches were on them!!

 

[Handbag Lady]

i used to work with a lady that had her feelings hurt because no one would eat the food she brought in.
we worked in a food prep area and saw the stuff she did.
and she talked about "shaking off" her clothes when she got dressed in the morning in case roaches were on them!!

Oh, good gravy!!!! I would yodle groceries.

 

[nathalee81]

When I started noticing a scary number of my co-workers neglecting to wash their hands after going to the bathroom, I stopped eating pot lock dishes.

 

[Talking Hands]

Only eat what I bring myself. Have too many allergies to risk eating something that I don't bring myself.

 

[Deb Quen of Colorado]

count me in. I am very wary of what other people make.
When I was sick we requested meals for about 2 months, 2-3 meals a week. For some reason we got spaghetti pie at least once a week and you could really tell who took time and who threw it together and the quality of ingredents that were used. It was an interesting look into what other people thought 'I'm giving a meal' quality is to them.

My husband used to be the kind of guy that ate anything, thought it was snobby of me to question what other people brought. But after all the free meals and my limitations after a stem cell transplant he is more careful.

 

[Kasmooth]

count me in. I am very wary of what other people make.
When I was sick we requested meals for about 2 months, 2-3 meals a week. For some reason we got spaghetti pie at least once a week and you could really tell who took time and who threw it together and the quality of ingredents that were used. It was an interesting look into what other people thought 'I'm giving a meal' quality is to them.

My husband used to be the kind of guy that ate anything, thought it was snobby of me to question what other people brought. But after all the free meals and my limitations after a stem cell transplant he is more careful.

I have to say i'm not one that has to have high quality ingredients in my cooking. So maybe they were just cooking what they would normally make/serve for their own family hoping it help. I hope you are now feeling better

 

[palavra]

I love work potlucks! I guess I'm just lucky because there are some great cooks at my school.

Germs just don't bother me that much. When I eat at a restaurant, I don't know what the kitchen is like ot how clean it is. Life is too short to me to worry it away.

 

[oscarkitty1]

I'm with you! As much as I love my kitty, he is never allowed on the kitchen counter, but it seems like I'm in the minority of cat owners on that one!!

I also refuse to eat from shared candy dishes as well.

 

[palavra]

count me in. I am very wary of what other people make.
When I was sick we requested meals for about 2 months, 2-3 meals a week. For some reason we got spaghetti pie at least once a week and you could really tell who took time and who threw it together and the quality of ingredents that were used. It was an interesting look into what other people thought 'I'm giving a meal' quality is to them.

My husband used to be the kind of guy that ate anything, thought it was snobby of me to question what other people brought. But after all the free meals and my limitations after a stem cell transplant he is more careful.

I would agree with your husband. What is that saying about "looking a gift horse in the mouth?" I've made food for people who were sick before, and since I don't know their likes and dislikes well, I usually make soething that I think most people would enjoy. And, yes, spaghetti would fall in that category.

 

[Magic Mom]

After eating a couple clumps of cat hair before I realized it, I now avoid work potlucks!

That's gross. I have a long haired dog, and I am obsessive when it comes to cleaning my kitchen area...especially if I am cooking for other people. I would die of embarrassment if I took a potluck dish and someone found dog hair in it.

 

[HOGFAN]

if it doesnt kill you or give you the trots, you will be okay!!

 

[Hemlock]

I love work potlucks! I guess I'm just lucky because there are some great cooks at my school.

Germs just don't bother me that much. When I eat at a restaurant, I don't know what the kitchen is like ot how clean it is. Life is too short to me to worry it away.

I'm with you, I love work potlucks. There were only 1 or 2 people in my office that made me nervous (cleanliness), but I would just avoid those dishes.

 

[C.Ann]

Germs just don't bother me that much. When I eat at a restaurant, I don't know what the kitchen is like ot how clean it is. Life is too short to me to worry it away.

Restaurants are probably much less sanitary (as are some of the workers) - not to mention buffets (even the ones in Disney)..

The only things I would shy away from would be items that are highly suspect for food poisoning.. (The very first time I ever had it - severe enough to actually have to be hospitalized for several days - it was caused by food that I ate in a hospital cafeteria - not a "vending machine"..) Needless to say, I received no bill for that hospitalization.. At the time, my DD (6 months old) was a patient at the same hospital and I was with her around the clock - eating only hospital food - so I think that goes to show that just about anywhere can be "unsafe" in terms of food..

 

[disneyfav4ever]

I never eat anything at work unless I know who made it or what's in it. I've gotten sick more then once after a work party and I just don't trust the food at them anymore.