ingrid
Full Member
Posts: 490
Jun 26, 2014 0:52:41 GMT
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Post by ingrid on Jul 14, 2014 18:48:30 GMT
Why yes I do! My town is called "Miami," to you Americans.
I don't know what specific ethnicity the Latin people in your neck of the woods may be? (Peruvian, Puerto Rican, Cuban, Dominican, etc) but here potlucks are not common at all.
I was confused because you mentioned that you are Latin and potlucks are an "American thing." If you live in America and say things like, "I don't do that because it is like SO American" it doesn't make a ton of sense. But please, feel free to act offended and respond with failed sarcasm to an honest question. That's a pretty American thing to do, actually. I think you're assimilating
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Nink
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,946
Location: North Idaho
Jul 1, 2014 23:30:44 GMT
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Post by Nink on Jul 14, 2014 19:06:27 GMT
I am such a redneck goof sometimes. I do so many things that people consider "tacky." I get that there are regional differences in social behavior, but (and please know that I am not directing this at any single person-just a general comment) sometimes I think we look for things for things in which to raise our eyebrows at and to purse our lips in slight judgement. I have no problem with the potluck. Not even a potluck wedding reception if that is what works for the family-there is no rule that says you have to pay a gazillion dollars to feed everyone. If the goal is to get together with friends, does it really matter how it happens? No need to get formal all the time, right? But then again, as I said, I am a bit of a redneck and grew up going to parties with tons of people, tons of food (brought by everyone) and bonfires in big fields-with kids running around, people playing music and dancing. So maybe I am not the best person to ask. I love a good bonfire! We had them all the time when I was a kid. I totally agree at looking for things... I really do. I was invited to a potluck wedding and at first I was sort of taken a back, but then I thought "Ok, whatever floats your boat". I gotta say, that was one of the best wedding receptions I think I've been to. It was so laid back and fun and the food was all fantastic. There was no undercooked beef or overly dry chicken etc., that so often happens at catered receptions. I honestly wouldn't bat an eye if I received an invitation to another one, just look forward to it.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Mar 29, 2024 11:37:52 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jul 14, 2014 19:16:26 GMT
I was invited to a potluck wedding and at first I was sort of taken a back, but then I thought "Ok, whatever floats your boat". I gotta say, that was one of the best wedding receptions I think I've been to. It was so laid back and fun and the food was all fantastic. There was no undercooked beef or overly dry chicken etc., that so often happens at catered receptions. I honestly wouldn't bat an eye if I received an invitation to another one, just look forward to it. Yes! This was my experience exactly. I was a bit judgemental at first, but both potluck weddings I have attended were fantastic. Way way way better than any formal wedding I've attended with the full sit-down meal.
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Post by anxiousmom on Jul 14, 2014 20:11:09 GMT
Why yes I do! My town is called "Miami," to you Americans.
I don't know what specific ethnicity the Latin people in your neck of the woods may be? (Peruvian, Puerto Rican, Cuban, Dominican, etc) but here potlucks are not common at all.
(apropos to nothing: how about this for old school? My grandfather, who is now in his late 80's, was born and raised in Coral Gables. How often do you hear that?)
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Post by gar on Jul 14, 2014 22:49:41 GMT
Formal dinner party several have mentioned this phrase. IMO, that pea didn't mean a party with gowns/tux etc., but an event in which the host said, "You are invited to dinner in my home" vs casual dinner among friends, where the hostess said, "A bunch of us are going to eat together, want to come?" I'll back this up too. Dinner party is sitting at the dining table, usually 2 or 3 couples in my experiences, 3 courses, nice wine and conversation etc. Smart but not overly so. Pot lucks would definitely not fit that occasion in my book.
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Post by tania7424 on Jul 14, 2014 23:08:13 GMT
Depends on the occasion. My mom threw a milestone party this weekend. My grandma's 85th, my sister's 18th and graduation, and my 40th are all this summer. She did not ask anyone to bring anything. If people offered she asked them to bring an appetizer. She did, however, roast two turkey breasts, a roast, a ham, made several salads herself, and some appetizers. Most just automatically brought something, and everyone brought their own alcohol (beer, coolers, wine, etc). She did have alcohol available as well as a couple non-alcoholic punches, pop and water.
ETA: There was roughly 65 people there.
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Post by M~ on Jul 14, 2014 23:59:20 GMT
Why wouldn't it make sense? Yes, I'm an American, yes, I live in America (although honestly, and without any snark, anyone from Broward county and up thinks Dade County is NOT America). I in turn do not understand what's so difficult about understanding things that are not "American," versus things that are ethnic or Latin. I can be both at the same time or one of the other.
I carry Milagros in my purse. That's not a very "American" tradition; it's a Latin tradition. I gave a penis Milagro to my very good friend whose husband was just diagnosed with prostate cancer. She's American, but she understood the tradition of Milagros and was touched when I explained it to her-and I did have to explain it to her, because it's not an "American" thing.
My diet consists of Latin food (for the most part). It's not Latin/Anglo food fusion, it's Latin food.
To say something is American means that it's Anglo or NOT LATIN or Ethnic.
I have many traditions that Americans don't have or would not understand. Doesn't make them better, doesn't make them worse. It just makes them what they are-NOT American. Participating in potlucks is one of those.
shrug.
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Post by ~summer~ on Jul 15, 2014 0:43:47 GMT
I don't think they are tacky - it is really just personal preference.
I never or rarely throw them because I am too much of a control freak with the menu. But I enjoy going to them - they create a nice sence of community and it's fun to try different things.
I also think when hosting a shower or wedding, if you have limited finances or cooking skills it's a good choice. No judgement here.
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Post by mom23sweetpeas on Jul 15, 2014 0:53:48 GMT
I too believe if it is a birthday party where they are bringing a gift then no I provide all the food but don't see anything wrong with someone bringing something
In fact i have a couple of friends that won't take no for an answer- when i do say no they just show up with something
Its all about the way you we raised for some of them it is rude to not bring something
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Post by smokey2471 on Jul 15, 2014 0:57:54 GMT
Totally depends on the crowd. For a BBQ with friends and family ok. For party where you are inviting acquaintances or friends and expecting gifts I would not.
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Post by Heart on Jul 15, 2014 1:36:55 GMT
Also, I'm super excited! I'm a long time lurker, trying to jump onto the Refugee Raft -- and I have a 5 page thread!!!
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Post by alyssam on Jul 15, 2014 17:32:15 GMT
According to the Peas, that is-- maybe it's cultural, or generational, or just how I was raised, but potlucks are NBD here. People have parties and invite friends over all the time, with some kind of "it's potluck" caveat included. No one blinks. We all get it. Maybe it's Midwestern to want (possibly even feel OBLIGATED) to bring something. Every time I see something about being tacky, I wonder whether my friends and I are total trash. (I am, at least a little- I cake smashed...) please share... I have to know. I leave very near Urbana and like you, we cake smashed and we have potlucks all the time. No, we aren't trashy. haha I think if you're having a formal event (by formal, I mean an official "event" that someone would bring a gift to; b'day party, wedding, shower) that you send out invitations to it's inappropriate to write "bring a covered dish" or whatever. But a get together with a phone call, "Hey, we're having a cookout Saturday. BYOB, a covered dish and some lawn chairs to sit outside. I'll have cheeseburgers and hot dogs and xxx." That is perfectly normal around here. Same in central Indiana. We don't usually do potlucks for parties, though we sometimes do combined parties for the kids and everyone who has a birthday kid brings some of the food. Much easier on everyone that way. Also, sometimes we'll have get-togethers with groups of friends and the host doesn't provide any food. We consider the hosting and cleaning their contribution to the day.
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