You know, I really don't care for Pot Luck Dinners!

[audreyh1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by REWahoo Maybe we can help. How about... "I've never had much luck with pot." "Pot doesn't agree with me." "We're [insert obscure religion here] and don't participate in mystery meals."

Oh REWahoo! You know I always appreciate your helpful suggestions!

[dex]

Quote:

Originally Posted by audreyh1 Dex, I expect that it couldn't get any cheaper than it already is. People already bring their own place settings, and I expect spend quite a bit less per person than any catering. Audrey

I never liked the idea of Pot Luck dinners - too much work and I'm not a great cook. I usually asked the organizer - can I bring some snacks & how much should I buy.
The other part is, as others have said, the food is usually uninspired and finally how sanitary was the preparation and handling. Didn't Jonestown, Guyana start out as a Pot Luck dinner?

[audreyh1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bestwifeever I would bet there are many residents who go to these events no more often than you go, Audrey (of course you wouldn't know who they were unless you turned into a regular and took attendance). In most groups (charities, social groups, whatever) there seems to be a small faithful core who really enjoy it and keep the functions going, and then the majority are probably more like you. Nice to have it available though for when you feel like touching base.

Yeah, I think the neighbors we have gotten to know are the extroverts, which is perhaps why we know them. And they are a lot of fun. And the extroverts do seem to relish this type of event.

And a strong extrovert probably has a hard time understanding why someone else prefers doing their own thing over socializing with a larger group.

Anyway, they'll get used to us. It is not as if we aren't very friendly on a one on one basis.

Audrey

[Keim]

I just had to comment. I love how this thread title comes across on my computer in the previews section: You know, I really don't care for pot...

I was expecting a VERY different discussion.

[mbooth]

Errrrmmmmmm....what's the problem?

You are FI, you are self-sustainably entertained, you are completely un-dependant from 'judgement' from 'others'............why the angst and questioning?

Go f'rit and t''ell' with others' opinions! ;-)

[Katsmeow]

Quote:

I was expecting a VERY different discussion.

Me, too! Was I ever disappointed!

And, no way would I go to weekly pot luck dinners. That is the introvert in me. That would be too often, pot luck or not. Maybe once every few months or so.

[Sue J]

Another introvert here. While I may enjoy an occasional social gathering, I don't need it to be weekly or even monthly if it's mostly the same people.

I've learned to be very leery of mystery dishes left out in the open. What's in it and how long was it in your car before you left it out on the table for 2 hours? Many salads are drowning in too much dressing or too heavy with the mayonnaise.

I'm so NOT a party animal.

[Bestwifeever]

I can see that we need to cancel the e-r.org potlucks Andy has in the works....

[cardude]

Quote:

was expecting a VERY different discussion.

Yeah, me too.

The organized pot luck dinners sound like a chore, however
an organized Pot "dinner" sounds much more interesting.

Possible menu:

Multiple bags of doritos-- all flavors
Cheetos variaty pack
cheap delivery pizza
corn dogs with mustard
beef jerky
cheese toast
nachos

And for dessert:
gummy bears and cheesecake!

[ziggy29]

You wouldn't make a very good Lutheran!

[powerplay]

I think I would be in the group of attending once every couple months or so, but never weekly.
I hope the potlucks aren't mandatory.

[Sarah in SC]

Quote:

Originally Posted by cardude Yeah, me too. The organized pot luck dinners sound like a chore, however an organized Pot "dinner" sounds much more interesting. Possible menu: Multiple bags of doritos-- all flavors Cheetos variety pack cheap delivery pizza corn dogs with mustard beef jerky cheese toast nachos And for dessert: gummy bears and cheesecake!

Definitely corn dogs.

[Keim]

Wouldn't any sort of organization be antithetical to a pot dinner?

Quote:

Originally Posted by cardude Yeah, me too. The organized pot luck dinners sound like a chore, however an organized Pot "dinner" sounds much more interesting. Possible menu: Multiple bags of doritos-- all flavors Cheetos variaty pack cheap delivery pizza corn dogs with mustard beef jerky cheese toast nachos And for dessert: gummy bears and cheesecake!

[TromboneAl]

Quote:

And if asked whether we are coming on Friday, instead of our usual "oh, we're so busy running errands" or whatever. I think we'll just have to come out of the closet and more or less say that we just really aren't into pot-luck dinners and that's why we don't participate.

I've found that in situations like this, sometimes people "can't handle the truth." That is, if you tell them you're just not a party person, they might decide that you think that you're better than they are, you're stuck up, or you're just weird. Just making excuses may be better, though it might get tiresome week after week.

[HFWR]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GVfE_-ZJAxc

[Moemg]

Quote:

Originally Posted by cardude Yeah, me too. The organized pot luck dinners sound like a chore, however an organized Pot "dinner" sounds much more interesting. Possible menu: Multiple bags of doritos-- all flavors Cheetos variaty pack cheap delivery pizza corn dogs with mustard beef jerky cheese toast nachos And for dessert: gummy bears and cheesecake!

I disagree . We need lots of chocolate for dessert and you forgot fried things like mozzarella sticks & jalapeno poppers ! Plus ask the pizza guy to stop at the Wing House on the way .

[audreyh1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by TromboneAl I've found that in situations like this, sometimes people "can't handle the truth." That is, if you tell them you're just not a party person, they might decide that you think that you're better than they are, you're stuck up, or you're just weird. Just making excuses may be better, though it might get tiresome week after week.

Yeah, I think you're right.

I was already asked today by neighbors in the grocery store "So are you coming tonight?".

"Probably not" was out of my mouth before I could even think. Followed by mumbling something about projects we're working on today (which is true).

So, I guess I'm just going to have perpetual excuses. Which is fine, really, since I can't seem to come up with a more general completely inoffensive response. And we're always doing something (even though we usually don't know what it is until the very last minute).

I think what I decided yesterday was that I just wasn't even going to pretend to consider going, whereas up until now in the back of my mind I each week I would think - "maybe we should go this week. So and so will be there. It might be fun. Blah, blah, blah" and then by the time Friday came around I would decide that I really, really didn't want to go. (In this respect, this is very much like "The Dreads" thread from earlier this week).

I'm really looking forward to enjoying my Friday evening at home with our nice new HD A/V system. We finally have off-air HD, since we "invested" in a indoor antenna this week, and we are getting pretty good reception from some key stations.

Audrey

[Orchidflower]

Quote:

Originally Posted by audreyh1 Yeah, I think the neighbors we have gotten to know are the extroverts, which is perhaps why we know them. And they are a lot of fun. And the extroverts do seem to relish this type of event. And a strong extrovert probably has a hard time understanding why someone else prefers doing their own thing over socializing with a larger group. Anyway, they'll get used to us. It is not as if we aren't very friendly on a one on one basis. Audrey

Extrovert here, but a potluck supper would be fun once in a great while, but every Friday...aaaargh! Too routine.
Where I lived last had a big Halloween party for everyone in a huge area. I went to three out of the 6 I could have gone to. Just too many people and too much noise and activity to really talk with anyone. It got old by the third one, and I never went again.
Even us extroverts don't always get into these big group activities. I'd have alot more fun with a smaller group where you could talk and really get to know one another. Even I find big groups with lots of chatter, kids running around and activity going on just...well, draining emotionally. It doesn't rev me up but the opposite: it wears me down. And I'm an extrovert. Just IMHO.

[harley]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sarah in SC Definitely corn dogs.

Foot long corn dogs.

[Bestwifeever]

Don't forget these