Potluck etiquette?

[Guest guest]

We've had some comments on this list recently about etiquette for

potlucks, such as washing hands and food preparation, etc. I've also

received separate comments/complaints recently about etiquette at

potlucks (or lack thereof). It seems a good time to suggest some

guidelines.

 

We all may have different views of " proper " etiquette. For some, like

those who do not believe in the germ theory or, at least, do not

worry about possible consequences of preparing/eating/serving foods,

it may be that not much time is devoted to " precautions " that others

would take. I am sure there are others who, like me, will follow a

higher level of cleanliness when preparing foods for others,

including classes, dinners, and potlucks. To me, it is a courtesy to

others so they will be comfortable in that situation and can take joy

in partaking in the foods.

 

As one of our members mentioned, there is also the " gross out factor "

(aka " yuck factor " .) Even though I realize I may not be harmed by

eating food with a " surprise " , finding a hair, fingernail, or

Bandaid, etc. can be gross. Simple precautions can reduce such

surprises.

 

Here are my suggestions:

 

Wash hands before any food preparations and after any interruptions

of preparing food, such as using the restroom or sponging up a

spillage, petting the cat/dog or taking the garbage out, etc.

 

If you DO have a Bandaid on, or have a cut or rash on your hand, wear

gloves. Gloves also help keep your hands from drying out from

frequent washing. (Of course you still need to keep the GLOVES clean,

as they still contact the food.)

 

When attending a potluck, the ideal may be for everyone to wash hands

before serving themselves, but as long as serving utensils are used,

those concerned with others having dirty hands (and sharing serving

utensils) can always wash up after serving themselves and before

eating their food.

 

Always use the serving utensils. For finger foods, such as crackers,

carrot/celery sticks, etc. just touch the ones you will eat (or

parts, such as when breaking a cracker.) Keep your fingers off other

foods you are not taking.

 

No " double dipping " . This is the practice of repeatedly dipping

something like a celery or carrot stick into a dip after it has been

bitten off, likely sending saliva into the dip ( " yuck! " ) The only

times I double dip is when I dip the two (clean) ends of a carrot or

celery stick (usually to then place on my plate.) The ideal is to use

the serving spoon for the dip or pate and put some on your plate.

Then you can dip all you want and no one else should get grossed out!

 

Some other potluck thoughts:

 

In general, bring enough food to fill you up if that was the only

thing you would eat. Preferably bring enough to fill two or more

people. That way there should always be plenty for everyone.

 

Similarly, take only what is for you (at the event). Do not take food

out (for you or others) unless there is left-overs that the host has

offered. If you have brought food prepared by others, who could not

make it to the event, in addition to the food you prepared, certainly

they are entitled to some food in return, but let those who are

attending the potluck to go through the food line first. They have

taken the time and effort to make it to the event, so they deserve

that much. Similarly, if we arrive late to an event, lets not go to

the front of the food line when it's time to eat. Others have been

waiting patiently.

 

Make sure others are able to sample all the dishes. Especially when

there is not much of one item, don't take more than your portion. If

there are 24 cookies, 24 people and you take 2 or more, then some

people are not getting some. You can always go back through the line

after everyone else, to check for left-overs.

 

Bring only raw, organic, vegan (plant-based) foods.

 

Label all the ingredients of your dish (no, not " ceramic... " I meant

the food!) Also label whether organic or not. If you are not sure if

specific ingredients are raw, please ask someone before including it.

 

Honor the wishes of the hosts, both from their posting of the event

on RawSeattle.org and at the event itself.

 

Bring your own dishes, serving utensils, and eating utensils, unless

otherwise noted.

 

For people who choose to not eat specific ingredients, such as salt

or vinegar, etc. consider leaving them out of the recipe and keep

them " on the side " for those who want it. Add to your ingredient list

" Optional: Salt " etc.

 

Please try to keep your potluck foods as fresh as possible, which

means keeping prepared dishes refrigerated, when necessary. When

travelling a longer distance or when you will be doing errands, etc.

for several hours before an event, consider using a cooler.

 

Regarding eating at Raw Food Restaurants, as restaurant owners go

through special training and certification, they are familiar with

state regulations regarding food preparation and cleanliness, so I

would not worry about the restaurants. The discussions on this list

about hand washing do not mean that restaurants are not following

higher standards for their patrons.

 

Some homes are " shoe-free " . If you are not sure if you should keep

your shoes on or take them off, ask.

 

Please honor your host(s). They have opened up their homes to us. If

you are not sure of " proper " etiquette at a specific event, talk to

the host.

 

Consider car-pooling to the event to reduce gas consumption and

pollution. Feel free to post to this list if you are looking to get

or offer a ride.

 

Thanks!

 

Jeff

[Guest guest]

> Make sure others are able to sample all the dishes. Especially when

> there is not much of one item, don't take more than your portion. If

> there are 24 cookies, 24 people and you take 2 or more, then some

> people are not getting some. You can always go back through the line

> after everyone else, to check for left-overs.

 

I experienced this the first time I saw a durian at a potluck. When

it was cracked open, folks dove on it like starving sharks, each

barehanding as much as a double handful. By the time I was able to

approach the table, it was gone, though I did find a sliver that had

fallen on the table so that I could taste it. Lots of the portions

taken went uneaten. I was dumbfounded.

[Guest guest]

it must have been a pretty foul one; better luck next time.

 

Anthony D'Atri <aad wrote:

 

> Make sure others are able to sample all the dishes. Especially when

> there is not much of one item, don't take more than your portion. If

> there are 24 cookies, 24 people and you take 2 or more, then some

> people are not getting some. You can always go back through the line

> after everyone else, to check for left-overs.

 

I experienced this the first time I saw a durian at a potluck. When

it was cracked open, folks dove on it like starving sharks, each

barehanding as much as a double handful. By the time I was able to

approach the table, it was gone, though I did find a sliver that had

fallen on the table so that I could taste it. Lots of the portions

taken went uneaten. I was dumbfounded.

[Guest guest]

Jeff,

 

Thank you so much writing regarding potluck etiquette. I have left several

potlucks astounded and bemused at some of the things I've seen. I am

grateful that our potluck hosts open up their home to us and although I love

to spend time with everyone I have been frustrated by some of the things I

have seen.

 

- Bringing no food! I understand that people have busy lives but a potluck

is a potluck. If you don't have or won't make time to make a dish perhaps

either purchase raw treats at Madison Market or abstain from eating at the

potluck and simply come for the social factor.

 

- Bringing not enough food!

 

- As you and Anthony have pointed out, taking TOO much food. I've seen

someone take a stack of crackers and then leave half on his plate. Crackers

are labor intensive. If your eyes feel you must fill up your dish, bringing

an appropriate sized serving dish to eat out of will help.

 

- Digging into desserts before they are on the table and while others are

still eating their dinner. Currently the group tries to wait at least 20

minutes (sometimes in vain as our tastebuds get the most of us).

 

- Intimidating newcomers. I have overheard regulars questioning newcomers as

to the true raw-ness of their dish.

 

- Putting others' left over food in your backpack without asking! Clearly

this is rude.

 

and, my own personal complaint follows:

 

- Not bringing a prepared dish. I understand that many of us eat very

simply, natural hygiene perhaps. While this is a great way to eat on a daily

basis, our potlucks should be about creativity and abundance. Why not " go

all out " once a month or spend a little bit of time preparing a dish.

Remember, there are often new people at our potlucks. Some of them don't

return, some do. What I would hate for those people to go away with is

" those raw fooders, all they eat are carrot sticks and fruit just like I

expected " . Don't get me wrong, celery is one of my favorite foods but if you

want to bring celery sticks, perhaps make a dip for it (or 2 or 3)? I know

that several of the potluckers spend the entire day in the kitchen to make

their dish(es!), you can spend 30 minutes or an hour on it.

 

I'd like to add here that I agree with you Jeff that regardless of the

person's stance on hygiene and the handwashing issue, any hands and produce

attending the potluck should be washed.

 

I wonder if these issues had anything to do with the previous potluck hosts

discontinuing their scheduled monthly potlucks.

 

Thanks again for your message Jeff,

Christy

[Guest guest]

> - As you and Anthony have pointed out, taking TOO much food. I've seen

> someone take a stack of crackers and then leave half on his plate.

> Crackers

> are labor intensive. If your eyes feel you must fill up your dish,

> bringing

> an appropriate sized serving dish to eat out of will help.

 

I'm guilty of sometimes eating more than I should, but do firmly

believe in the " take all you like, but please eat all you take "

philosophy. If there's something I think I'll really like, I'll take

a modest portion at first, then go back for more later iff everyone

else is done, perhaps an artifact of the " finish this so I can wash

the dish " bad bad bad eating habit my parents taught me. If I don't

end up liking it, I will at least finish it because I fundamentally

abhor waste.

 

> - Putting others' left over food in your backpack without asking!

> Clearly

> this is rude.

 

People do this?? egads!

 

> - Not bringing a prepared dish. I understand that many of us eat very

> simply, natural hygiene perhaps. While this is a great way to eat

> on a daily

> basis, our potlucks should be about creativity and abundance. Why

> not " go

> all out " once a month or spend a little bit of time preparing a dish.

 

I personally like this idea, and when time permits I try to come up

with something at least little elaborate myself. However, I can see

why someone might bring something simple:

 

1) Being new to raw foods and simply not having ideas. Food

preparation practices become ingrained. I've seen a number of people

at raw potlucks who were omnivores, and I'm sure that most/all of the

things they'd usually bring to a potluck don't fit.

 

2) This group's potluck invitations do often explicitly say

something on the order of " if you don't know what to bring, just

bring a salad or a bowl of fruit " . While I enjoy more elaborate

foods too, I could never fault someone for doing what they were

invited to do.

 

3) Transport can be tricky. Some of the raw potlucks I've attended

have been my third event of the day, and carrying around something

elaborate without messing it up or letting it get warm can be tough.

 

4) Personal beliefs about food combining.

 

> Remember, there are often new people at our potlucks. Some of them

> don't

> return, some do. What I would hate for those people to go away with is

> " those raw fooders, all they eat are carrot sticks and fruit just

> like I

> expected " .

 

Substitute " vegans " or even " vegetarians " for " raw fooders " above and

I've tried to work against the " rabbit food " perception for years,

taking lasagna to the office when everyone else brings jello or

Ruffles. But again, that's me, and I don't expect everyone else to

have the time, energy, and motivation. I made raw " ravioli " for my

housewarming, and the cooked vegans and omnivores who attended were

impressed and pleased.

 

> I wonder if these issues had anything to do with the previous

> potluck hosts

> discontinuing their scheduled monthly potlucks.

 

I asked the group once about interest in me establishing one, and

received exactly zero responses, which is why I haven't done so.

[Guest guest]

So funny to read this convo between us about potluck

etiquette. It seems like this is pure instinct to

hoard food for oneself. And always, the eyes are

bigger than the tummy!

Non-hoarding, or Aparigraha, is one of the Yamas,

begining practices or restrictions in Raja Yoga, or

Physical Yoga, one of the four paths. I think it's

just from the thought of starvation and unconcsiously

the instinct to have enough takes over. It's

interesting that this is mentioned in the Yoga Sutras

as something to practice- non-hoarding.

Things that make ya go Hmmmmmm...

Peace out

Emily

[Guest guest]

I think it would be great if you started a monthly potluck. It

would be great to have more choices about locations and dates for

the potlucks. Thanks!RawSeattle , Anthony

D'Atri <aad@b...> wrote:

>

>

> > - As you and Anthony have pointed out, taking TOO much food.

I've seen

> > someone take a stack of crackers and then leave half on his

plate.

> > Crackers

> > are labor intensive. If your eyes feel you must fill up your

dish,

> > bringing

> > an appropriate sized serving dish to eat out of will help.

>

> I'm guilty of sometimes eating more than I should, but do firmly

> believe in the " take all you like, but please eat all you take "

> philosophy. If there's something I think I'll really like, I'll

take

> a modest portion at first, then go back for more later iff

everyone

> else is done, perhaps an artifact of the " finish this so I can

wash

> the dish " bad bad bad eating habit my parents taught me. If I

don't

> end up liking it, I will at least finish it because I

fundamentally

> abhor waste.

>

> > - Putting others' left over food in your backpack without

asking!

> > Clearly

> > this is rude.

>

> People do this?? egads!

>

> > - Not bringing a prepared dish. I understand that many of us eat

very

> > simply, natural hygiene perhaps. While this is a great way to

eat

> > on a daily

> > basis, our potlucks should be about creativity and abundance.

Why

> > not " go

> > all out " once a month or spend a little bit of time preparing a

dish.

>

> I personally like this idea, and when time permits I try to come

up

> with something at least little elaborate myself. However, I can

see

> why someone might bring something simple:

>

> 1) Being new to raw foods and simply not having ideas. Food

> preparation practices become ingrained. I've seen a number of

people

> at raw potlucks who were omnivores, and I'm sure that most/all of

the

> things they'd usually bring to a potluck don't fit.

>

> 2) This group's potluck invitations do often explicitly say

> something on the order of " if you don't know what to bring, just

> bring a salad or a bowl of fruit " . While I enjoy more elaborate

> foods too, I could never fault someone for doing what they were

> invited to do.

>

> 3) Transport can be tricky. Some of the raw potlucks I've

attended

> have been my third event of the day, and carrying around

something

> elaborate without messing it up or letting it get warm can be

tough.

>

> 4) Personal beliefs about food combining.

>

> > Remember, there are often new people at our potlucks. Some of

them

> > don't

> > return, some do. What I would hate for those people to go away

with is

> > " those raw fooders, all they eat are carrot sticks and fruit

just

> > like I

> > expected " .

>

> Substitute " vegans " or even " vegetarians " for " raw fooders " above

and

> I've tried to work against the " rabbit food " perception for

years,

> taking lasagna to the office when everyone else brings jello or

> Ruffles. But again, that's me, and I don't expect everyone else

to

> have the time, energy, and motivation. I made raw " ravioli " for

my

> housewarming, and the cooked vegans and omnivores who attended

were

> impressed and pleased.

>

> > I wonder if these issues had anything to do with the previous

> > potluck hosts

> > discontinuing their scheduled monthly potlucks.

>

> I asked the group once about interest in me establishing one, and

> received exactly zero responses, which is why I haven't done so.

>

[Guest guest]

You'd come to Monroe? I've encountered a lot of folks recently who

seem to fear that they'll turn into a pumpkin if they leave the

Seattle city limits O_o

 

> I think it would be great if you started a monthly potluck. It

> would be great to have more choices about locations and dates for

> the potlucks. Thanks!RawSeattle , Anthony

> D'Atri <aad@b...> wrote:

>

>>

>>

>>

>>> - As you and Anthony have pointed out, taking TOO much food.

>>>

> I've seen

>

>>> someone take a stack of crackers and then leave half on his

>>>

> plate.

>

>>> Crackers

>>> are labor intensive. If your eyes feel you must fill up your

>>>

> dish,

>

>>> bringing

>>> an appropriate sized serving dish to eat out of will help.

>>>

>>

>> I'm guilty of sometimes eating more than I should, but do firmly

>> believe in the " take all you like, but please eat all you take "

>> philosophy. If there's something I think I'll really like, I'll

>>

> take

>

>> a modest portion at first, then go back for more later iff

>>

> everyone

>

>> else is done, perhaps an artifact of the " finish this so I can

>>

> wash

>

>> the dish " bad bad bad eating habit my parents taught me. If I

>>

> don't

>

>> end up liking it, I will at least finish it because I

>>

> fundamentally

>

>> abhor waste.

>>

>>

>>> - Putting others' left over food in your backpack without

>>>

> asking!

>

>>> Clearly

>>> this is rude.

>>>

>>

>> People do this?? egads!

>>

>>

>>> - Not bringing a prepared dish. I understand that many of us eat

>>>

> very

>

>>> simply, natural hygiene perhaps. While this is a great way to

>>>

> eat

>

>>> on a daily

>>> basis, our potlucks should be about creativity and abundance.

>>>

> Why

>

>>> not " go

>>> all out " once a month or spend a little bit of time preparing a

>>>

> dish.

>

>>

>> I personally like this idea, and when time permits I try to come

>>

> up

>

>> with something at least little elaborate myself. However, I can

>>

> see

>

>> why someone might bring something simple:

>>

>> 1) Being new to raw foods and simply not having ideas. Food

>> preparation practices become ingrained. I've seen a number of

>>

> people

>

>> at raw potlucks who were omnivores, and I'm sure that most/all of

>>

> the

>

>> things they'd usually bring to a potluck don't fit.

>>

>> 2) This group's potluck invitations do often explicitly say

>> something on the order of " if you don't know what to bring, just

>> bring a salad or a bowl of fruit " . While I enjoy more elaborate

>> foods too, I could never fault someone for doing what they were

>> invited to do.

>>

>> 3) Transport can be tricky. Some of the raw potlucks I've

>>

> attended

>

>> have been my third event of the day, and carrying around

>>

> something

>

>> elaborate without messing it up or letting it get warm can be

>>

> tough.

>

>>

>> 4) Personal beliefs about food combining.

>>

>>

>>> Remember, there are often new people at our potlucks. Some of

>>>

> them

>

>>> don't

>>> return, some do. What I would hate for those people to go away

>>>

> with is

>

>>> " those raw fooders, all they eat are carrot sticks and fruit

>>>

> just

>

>>> like I

>>> expected " .

>>>

>>

>> Substitute " vegans " or even " vegetarians " for " raw fooders " above

>>

> and

>

>> I've tried to work against the " rabbit food " perception for

>>

> years,

>

>> taking lasagna to the office when everyone else brings jello or

>> Ruffles. But again, that's me, and I don't expect everyone else

>>

> to

>

>> have the time, energy, and motivation. I made raw " ravioli " for

>>

> my

>

>> housewarming, and the cooked vegans and omnivores who attended

>>

> were

>

>> impressed and pleased.

>>

>>

>>> I wonder if these issues had anything to do with the previous

>>> potluck hosts

>>> discontinuing their scheduled monthly potlucks.

>>>

>>

>> I asked the group once about interest in me establishing one, and

>> received exactly zero responses, which is why I haven't done so.

>>

>>

 

[Guest guest]

Hi Anthony,

 

Just a little clarification, what our potluck invitation states (and what

Sandra's pot luck invite said as well):

What to bring:

 

a.. A prepared dish of raw, organic vegan ingredients.

b.. These events are about abundance, therefore, each person is requested

to bring a prepared dish large enough to feed 8 - 12 people.

c.. Please provide a detailed list of ingredients, and the recipe, if

possible.

d.. If it's your first time and you don't know what to bring, but are

interested in coming, just bring an organic salad with dressing on the side.

e.. Please bring your own plates and silverware.

What we're trying to do is make this as much about the food as the social

aspect. And while we don't want to discourage a new person from coming (thus

a simple salad is OK for them), we do want to encourage people who have been

around for a while to spend some time preparing a dish that will show the

newcomers the possibilities of raw as well as make it a monthly feast for

everyone (consider it the price of admission). That being said, life

happens, and sometimes maybe someone can only throw a salad together. No

big deal as long as that's the exception not the rule.

 

Anyway, you always bring a great dish yourself - this was more a

clarification for anyone else who might have been confused by your reply.

 

Tom

 

 

Original Message -----

" Anthony D'Atri " <aad

<RawSeattle >

Tuesday, November 01, 2005 12:07 PM

Re: [RawSeattle] RE: Potluck etiquette?

 

 

>2) This group's potluck invitations do often explicitly say

something on the order of " if you don't know what to bring, just

bring a salad or a bowl of fruit " . While I enjoy more elaborate

foods too, I could never fault someone for doing what they were

invited to do.

[Guest guest]

> Just a little clarification, what our potluck invitation states

> (and what

> Sandra's pot luck invite said as well):

 

Cool. I think I may have been thinking of the phrasing for the old

West Seattle one.