Okay gang I'm not quite sure how to handle this one and thought what better group to ask.
A bunch of us go camping on a regualr basis maybe once a month. In most cases we are usuall 6-10 RV's. To make things more fun we have been pot-lucking meals as you get a wider variety and it is generally easier then making an entire meal for two.
My rub is we have one couple who is a few years older that "if" they bring something to contribute it is generally expired pastries with a line drawn through the price or a simple lettuce and dressing salad. Having had parents and grandparents who had lived through the great depression I am aware that as we get older we are a little worried about having enough money to live on. In this case we happen to live right next door as well and I don't get any indication that they are destitute.
The real issue for me is besides them not bringing food, their having to be first in line and always taking the biggest steaks they, especially she likes to tell everyone how well they are doing financially, big investors, lots of property always looking for forclosed homes, etc.
My opinion is to pull the husband aside express my and just about the entire groups impression and suggest they put up or shut up. To that my wife tells me that I am going to hell.
What would you do?
First, have a group meeting and have participants draw selections: Meat Dish, Vegetable Dish, Side Dish, Pasta Dish, Appetizer, Dessert, Salad, etc. You may have more than one type of entree (two meat dishes if desired, for example). Or pick major food categories to match the number of participants, list them as often as needed and make it specific that each camper must provide enough for the group.
You may do a meat dish one week, and then dessert the next, etc.
Put the names down beside each item. After each meal and before the next, move each camper's name to the next item on the list and announce ahead of time what they are to bring to the potluck. Remind them a day or two in advance of the next trip.
Draw names to determine who goes first in line. Or rotate by food selection: Those who bring the dessert go first, then another category, etc. Peer pressure ought to do the rest.
And if they bring nothing...they're dead last in line.
* This post was
edited 09/08/09 08:44am by fchammer1 *
This "older" couple may have some mental issues. I am dealing with a couple now that are worried they are not going to have enough money. To put it bluntly, they are rich, but they are worrying about every dime/penny they spend (to the point of not wanting to buy food because it costs too much, watering down their milk so it will last longer, etc.). So they are almost eating out of the dumpster, but have almost a million dollars in the bank (and more coming in). They also refuse to run their A/C in the summer (and I am worried they will not run the heater in the winter) because their power bills are just too high.
We have found the best way to not have a problem is to change the "pot Luck" to a "BYOM(bring your on meat) with sides" That solves two issues. one; it allows folks to eat what they like and two; it allows people to bring what they can afford as far as the entree is concerned. Then everyone contributes side items. We then just take turns as to whose grill we use. All of our group likes this system very much.
On another note, I have seen a lot of folks that like to talk about how well off they are to keep up appearances but in reality they are either in debt up to their eyeballs or on the verge of going under. THis is happening more and more these days. You may approach them with the good neighbor and tell them that you are worried about them and go from there. Pride is tough for a lot of people to rid themselves of. This will not keep you out of hell but maybe the doghouse and you may find that your group may be able to help someone that really needs it without them losing face.
Albert & Tamara,The four legged children Casey & Cody, Living the simple life.
"God is Great, Beer is Good, and People are Crazy"
I worked in an office where the highest paid executive was also the cheapest! He would bring 2 cookies from the cafeteria downstairs or, one time brought a bag a stale after-dinner mints that had been on his desk for years! Seriously! I agree with above, they may be having financial problems, however, that's no excuse to not bring enough for themselves! They're actually eating for less dollars than if they had eaten at home. I think others have shares some good solutions.
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