Work potluck turns petty when mooching coworker refuses to contribute: 'I got in trouble the next day... it was worth it though'

Author image for Isabella Penn
Isabella Penn
Nov 22, 2024 1:00 PM EST

Work potlucks are a love-hate relationship if ever there was one. On one hand, there's nothing better than sneaking a second helping of your coworker's famous taco dip during your lunch break. On the other, the existential dread of figuring out what to bring (or worse, cooking the night before) is unmatched. It's like you're back in grade school, and you have to face the wrath of your mom when you tell her about a school bake sale the night before. Except this time, you side with your mom.

There's always that one person who contributes absolutely nothing but still manages to pile their plate sky-high. Enter this call center legend of potluck justice. One coworker, who we'll call "Cheesecake Guy," was the definition of that guy. He never brought food, but always the first in line for seconds. When his team won a cheesecake for their generosity and explicitly decided it was only for contributors, Cheesecake Guy watched all day as the forbidden dessert sat just out of reach. And right when he tried to swoop in and make his move, he got the karma he deserved.

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  • 01
    r/pettyrevenge •3 day im_rickyspanish Never bring food to the potlucks? Everyone hates you.
    via u/im_rickyspanish
  • 02
    I worked at a call center and we we all sat in teams of between 8 to 12 people. One of the guys on my team was the type that never brought anything to the team potlucks but would eat more than anyone more often than not. We also had potlucks at
    via u/im_rickyspanish
  • 03
    least once a month on our team, maybe more. In November of that year, the management held a competition to see which team could donate the most money for a local shelter or something like that.
    via u/im_rickyspanish
  • 04
    One guy on our team wanted to win so badly, haha. No idea why. The prize was a pie from this local bakery. So nothing crazy. He just wanted to win. Long story short, every person on the team donated aside from one.
    via u/im_rickyspanish
  • 05
    The last night, it was neck and neck with another team that had another person that was also way too competitive... Haha. Anyway, he was asking for everyone to look for change in our desks or our cars.
    via u/im_rickyspanish
  • 06
    So, of course, the guy that never brought food to a potluck was the one that hadn't donated. We asked him if he had change on him. He said he did, but he wasn't donating. And I quote, "Not even a quarter." This guy
    via u/im_rickyspanish
  • 07
    was a real piece of work. I should also say I could not stand this guy. I could go all day, but think Dwight from the office, but no redeeming qualities at all. He used to clip his toenails at his desk.
    via u/im_rickyspanish
  • 08
    So we won thanks to our crazy guy going to an ATM, I'm not kidding haha. So the team decides we want a cheesecake. I decided I didn't want d-bag to have any. I sent the team an email saying something along the lines of "we won. Anyone
    via u/im_rickyspanish
  • 09
    that donated is welcome to some cheesecake." Within 5 minutes my manager is pulling my aside and saying I can't exclude anyone at potlucks. Which was the rule. I explained this was different because everyone
    via u/im_rickyspanish
  • 10
    donated money to a charity and it was a reward. Long story short my manager surprisingly agreed with me. So all day, every time I get up I see d-bag staring at that cheesecake in the middle of our area.
    via u/im_rickyspanish
  • 11
    At the end of the day, there were one or two pieces left, and the dude was just sitting there waiting for everyone to leave so he could take it. I was 2nd to last there, and it was obvious what he was doing. I know this was
    via u/im_rickyspanish
  • 12
    petty af, but I picked the last pieces up and mashed them into the garbage can while making eye contact with him. I got in trouble the next day cause he was a little b and complained. It was worth it though. It's not
    via u/im_rickyspanish
  • 13
    always easy to get guys like that "back" but I jump if I ever see one. Edit: I've seen quite a few people ask if it's possible he was poor or something like that. That was not the case. I also realize that seems like a lot of potlucks. It was, but
    via u/im_rickyspanish
  • 14
    not everyone contributed every time, as a team we understood it's not realistic every time but there was always about 70% of people contributing each time. But this guy never brought anything ever then would fill two plates overflowing and be 1st in line. I promise you he had this coming haha.
    via u/im_rickyspanish
  • 15
    HoneyCrispCrumble • 3d ago • I hate moochers like this. Even the most unskilled cook can grab a pack of cookies from the grocery store for $5 to share.
    via u/HoneyCrispCrumble
  • 16
    Mugiwara-no-Boushi • 3d ago • He totally deserved it, but I'm not a fan of wasting food. I would have just taken all the remaining pieces with me to eat later lol
    via u/Mugiwara-no-Boushi
  • 17
    Beyond_The_Pale_61 • 3d ago There's always one of these. In an accounting department where I worked, we would all put in $5 and buy Powerball tickets when the jackpot got big. One woman never put money in. She actually voiced the thought that if we won, we would give her some of our winnings. The response was a universal "H_I NO."
    via u/Beyond_The_Pale_61
  • 18
    • zebo_99 3d ago Potlucks make me feel uncomfortable for the fact you don't know the preparer's sanitary habits and you don't know how long the food has been unrefrigorated. You're probably saying that I'm over thinking about this but I'm ok with that.
    via u/zebo_99
  • 19
    doorwaysaresafe 3d ago • One of my first office jobs had forced breakfast potlucks once a month. I talked to my boss. explaining I could barely afford to feed myself and definitely couldn't afford to bring in a dish to feed the office. Her response was that I could just bring in scrambled eggs since they were cheap. I explained that if I
    via u/doorwaysaresafe
  • 20
    brought in eggs that would be eggs I didn't have for the week. So she said I didn't have to bring anything in, but that I couldn't eat the food either. So I was the loser who didn't bring anything in but as I was starving i absolutely snuck food.
    via u/doorwaysaresafe
  • 21
    bang_bang_moneytree • 3d ago • I mean I never contribute anything to work stuff either. It feels like the bosses want US to give to THEM. That being said, since I don't contribute to anything non work related I don't participate as - well. So this guy eating the food is an AH
    via u/bang_bang_moneytree
  • 22
    Cheezburger Image 10430770944
    via Unsplash (Getty Images)

    This image is for illustration only, and the subjects are models; the image does not depict the actual subjects of the story.


     

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Tags

boss justice job work coworkers petty revenge Office potluck entitled karma
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