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Answers: To me I find that those that do a Pot-luck are too Lazy to do cooking. The Exception is when the one holding the gathering does some cooking! But I find that there are many Pot Lucks where one holding gatherings don't do any cooking.. The words Pot Luck scream out to me " too lazy too cook!" Do you think this way about potlucks? (oh by the way I love to cook!) If you start a pot luck party are you too lazy to cook?
(pot luck gatherings is where the guest bring the food. The one holding the gathering doesn't have to provide anything but the place a few do provide some food to but it's usually stuff that isn't cooked like sliced apples and carrot sticks. There may be the odd one that has a bit of cooked food! Potluck starters are too lazy too cook correct?

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I think potluck's are great for a large gathering like a family reunion where there might be a hundred or two people there but if it is for a small gather of 20 or so I agree with you the person having the gathering is just lazy.

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A potluck is a gathering of people where each person is expected to bring a dish of food to be shared among the group.

The word "potluck" is sometimes thought to stem from the Native American custom of potlatch, but in fact the word is of English origin. It is a portmanteau word formed from (cooking) pot and luck. The earliest written citation is from 1592: "That that pure sanguine complexion of yours may never be famisht with pot lucke," Thomas Nashe.[3] As this shows, the original meaning was "food given away to guests", probably derived from "whatever food one is lucky enough to find in the pot", i.e. whatever food happens to be available, especially when offered to a guest. By extension, a more general meaning is "whatever is available in a particular circumstance or at a particular time."

Potluck dinners are often organized by religious or community groups, since they simplify the meal planning and distribute the costs among the participants. Smaller, more informal get-togethers with distributed food preparation may also be called potlucks. The only traditional rule is that each dish be large enough to be shared among a good portion (but not necessarily all) of the anticipated guests. In some cases each participant agrees ahead of time to bring a single course, and the result is a multi-course meal. Guests may bring in any form of food, ranging from the main course to flavourful desserts.

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I've found that pot lucks are a great place to try new foods or recipes that are outside my range of cooking knowledge. It allows people to get together in a casual way and try new things to eat and cook without the pressure of a formal dinner party or going to a restaurant.

One of my favorite places to go back in the day was to our local Buddhist temple for meditation and after wards there would be a "potluck" to feed the monks. A simple and casual cerimony, but the range of food and ingredients was mind opening. I really don't go to the temple anymore due to my agnostisism, but it was a nice experience.

If I were going to hold a potluck now I would ask as many people from as many different nationalities, cultures, or lifestyles to attend. If you love food imagine what you would discover....

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I don't think of Potluck dinners as the host being too lazy to cook. I think more along the line of that they just don't have the time to do a large spread themselves, or, in the case of one of my friends, they just honestly aren't very good cooks but love to entertain. I'm like you - I love to cook! I have never held a potluck, mainly because I prefer to have control of the menu, (I admit it - I'm a bit of a control freak!) and that I truly love to make the entire meal. If someone insists on wanting to bring something, I ask that they bring a dessert (baking is not my area of expertise! lol!) or a bottle of nice wine. That way, they feel as if they've contributed, but I still have been able to do the main meal myself! So I guess I just think of Potlucks as what I said before - people who don't have the time or just don't enjoy cooking like I do. To each their own, I guess!

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Do you know what is involved when hosting any kind of gathering at your house. cleaning and more cleaning, making sure your kids are in line and your hubby isn't eating the foods u make for the gathering. And sometimes pot lucks are funone because in this day and age with kids, house, activities, pets, spouses, and if u work, work we are busy so if u can get people to help great. Another reason pot lucks give u a chance to try different foods. We have many friends from different countries and it is nice to try different types of food. Lighten up, I love to cook also. Maybe u need to look at it differently.

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Potluck starters are Not too lazy to cook! They might be too tired but never too lazy!

I take it that you've never given a potluck party. After the host issues the invitation (postage/time) as one person stated-- you clean, clean and clean some more. And after everyone is gone--it's more of the same.

Most of us work full time, have families and can't afford a cleaning crew; however we want to put our best foot forward. I take it that this statement doesn't apply to you since Your house and home is Always neat, clean, organized, and ready for an influx of persons who will in all probability discuss your homemaking/cooking skills and decorating taste with others.

The host location provides tables, linen, silverware, dishes, ice, beverages, seating, containers for taking leftovers home, electricity, water, heat, bathroom facilities, etc.

Given that the host location might be a central or about the only location big enough for friends/family to gather there may be multiple gatherings during the year. Most working class families would find this a strain financially if repeated on a frequent basis.

Secondly, with the ethic, cultural, age, and health/allergy issues abounding in our country-- a potluck meal makes sense.

If each person brings two or more dishes that serve 6 or more (that they themselves can eat)-- no one will go away hungry and everyone gets a chance to meet and mingle with family, friends and potential friends.

The host will set a theme:
Cookout; Hobo Stew; Hard times; Finger Foods; Tea Party;
Down Home Cooking; Sports Event Viewing; Sandwich Fixings;
Ice Cream/Banana Split Party, Family Reunion, Holiday,
Order in/ Take Out; etc.

The host will ask for RSVP and a Good Guest will ask what (two or three things) they can bring or chip in ahead of time on the main dish:
Beverage/Bread
Appetizer/Soup/Salad
Protein/Meat/Main Dish Casserole
Side Dish/Vegetable
Dessert/Fruit

For instance: hobo dinner--Mirepoix(with onions, celery, carrots, herbs-no salt)and roux, appetizer, diabetic dessert

Hot dog cookout--canned chicken or chicken salad,
Veg nibbles/appetizer, dessert

Family reunion: Large meat dish with vegetables, junk food for kids (variety chips), dessert

Hamburger cookout: Vegetable burgers, lettuce, tomatoes
Dessert, Ice, Beverage, Chairs
dessert

Family holiday( Thanksgiving) that I host: tell others to bring any prepared cold dishes--in a cooler(slaw, pasta, deviled eggs, pies, dips&fixings), breads.
Any favored desserts and some ice, preferred beverage.
Personally, my stove is full and my microwave is humming on that grand day. Don't bring me something that has to be put in the oven!

I only host two to four family gatherings a year--for 35 to 50.
Other than that it's potluck-covered dish; I've got the building and central location--but I just can't afford the food more times than that.

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Two reasons I attend, both rooted in my living as a single:
Socialize - one of the few opportunities to converse
Food - almost anything that someone else has cooked tastes better, and sometimes you discover something you've never tried before.
Confession - my place is too small to host one, and I often do not contribute a cooked dish.
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