Is this annoying, or am I being anal? (not literally)?

Question

We are having a party at work tomorrow and everyone was supposed to sign up to bring stuff. Well two women signed up to bring rolls together while everyone else was cooking stuff. Seems to me they are just trying to eat our food without having to do any work, and why does it take two people to buy rolls, they are really cheap!

Answer 1

If they are both bringing rolls, then they had better bring either a hell of a lot of rolls, or primo first-class 9-grain Irish-buttered rolls!
Wait and see what happens before you get TOO anal!

Answer 2

While some people might enjoy a casserole and others might not, rolls are something that most people will eat at the party, and so it never hurts to have multiple people bringing rolls so they can be certain to have enough.

And also, unless they've indicated or you were asked on the sign up sheet to bring specified items (like rolls from Such and Such Deli, or This Brand of Rolls from the store), then you're not really certain that they'll just go out and buy them ... Maybe one or both plans to bring homemade rolls, which while not expensive per se are very time consuming and lots of hard work.

I think you're being way too anal about an office party. Go, have a good time! At my former office, there were people we always knew were going to skimp out (for example, one guy in the office ALWAYS brought two cans of cranberry sauce to the Thanksgiving party, for about 40 people, that's it). When we made up the sign up sheet, it would start out with "It's that time of year again and SO AND SO is bringing the cranberry sauce, what are you bringing?" or something silly like that - it just became an office joke. It's better to laugh with them and plan ahead, especially if they're people you like otherwise. Let it pass...

Answer 3

I really dislike it when people do that. Everyone else goes to the trouble (and expense!) of cooking something, and there's always someone who brings in paper cups or forks or some store bought garbage.

However, maybe these women are really, truly tight with money this week and can't afford to buy anything extravagant? I've actually gotten my checkbook down to *pennies* and couldn't participate in stuff like this.

Or, maybe one of these women has several young kids at home and really doesn't have time to cook something elaborate (or even something simple!)

Then again, they're probably just cheap and lazy. LOL It is annoying though. And the strange thing is, the people who do stuff like this are strangely usually the ones with the biggest appetites, and the ones least likely to help clean up.

Answer 4

You're not being anal, they're trying to pull a fast one!

Two people signing up to bring one of the cheapest dishes is a scam. The only exceptions are if they're going through some financial hardships. Not everyone working in the same office makes the same pay and life can throw you some financial curves too. The other exception is if they're temps or interns, because they might be showing up just to be polite and won't eat much of your food.

Answer 5

You got to look at this from many angles, maybe they don't have the money to cook for a dish for 40 to 100 people?

I used to contribute a lot to pot lucks in the office, I'd go out and buy 100 dollars worth of BBQ or something. I learned real quick that was a mistake, people don't appreciate it. I found many are picky of this or that or just picked at what i bought. No one appreciated it, that upset me, so I stopped and just started doing what those two ladies are doing, I resorted to just bring simple stuff like rolls or plasticware that didn't cost a lot or take much effort and I was much happier in the end.

Answer 6

God, I know exactly what you mean. Every time we do a pot luck at work, I actually cook. While others bring store brought dip or rolls, just as your saying. That burns me but what can you do about it? Don't sweat it. Those ladies are lazy and cheap, this will be apparent to everyone, they should be ashamed of themselves.

Answer 7

Well someone does have to bring the rolls, but two people shouldn't be bringing them. That is a little off

Answer 8

Your right... your just being anal. Hopefully its not a really big deal to you. If it makes you feel better, next time you sign up to bring the rolls.

Answer 9

If these 2 people take the easy way out every time, then yes, it's definitely wrong and I don't think you're being anal. I remember people doing that where I used to work, like just bringing cookies....store bought not homemade.

Answer 10

Someone else's lack of generosity is their problem and should not interfere with your putting your best foot forward. One thing you will see, is if you just focus on doing "more than your part" people are not stupid, they all notice, and you demonstate great stregnth and focus. And they will notice your graciousness to people, especially those who come up short. You actually should thank the "cheap" people for putting a generous person in even a better light. "People all respect and notice quality" and it is very close to "Class." So you should be thanking them (I mean secretly) for helping you demonstrate "real class" being generous and gracious and "not belittling anyone."