17 Rude Things Georgians Do at Church Potlucks

Church potlucks are supposed to be a time of fellowship, warm casseroles, and catching up with people you might not see outside of Sunday service.

But even in the friendliest Georgia congregations, someone always seems to forget their manners by the time the food hits the table.

Whether it’s reaching for thirds before the pastor eats or criticizing Linda’s broccoli salad, rude behavior has a way of showing up right between the corn pudding and the deviled eggs.

Bringing Store-Bought Food and Passing It Off as Homemade

There’s nothing wrong with swinging by Walmart on a busy Saturday to grab a tub of potato salad.

But pretending you spent all afternoon peeling spuds and adding just the right amount of paprika? That’s where the problem starts.

Church folks are smart. Someone always recognizes the packaging—or the taste—and it’s hard not to side-eye the fib.

If you didn’t have time to cook, just be honest about it. People would rather hear, “It’s from the deli—I had a crazy week,” than overhear you lying about a “family recipe.”

Besides, store-bought dishes can still be delicious. No need to drizzle it with deception.

Rushing to the Front of the Line Like It’s a Black Friday Sale

The call goes out—“Y’all can head to the kitchen now”—and suddenly it’s a stampede.

Every potluck has at least one person who charges to the front like they’re afraid someone’s going to walk off with all the apple pie.

It’s especially frustrating when elders and families with young kids get elbowed aside so someone can snatch the first scoop of baked beans.

Church events are built on courtesy and care. If you’re sprinting past Grandma for a slab of ham, you’ve missed the message.

Taking your turn patiently is a simple way to show respect and let the event feel like a true community gathering.

Taking More Than Your Share (Especially of the Good Stuff)

Everyone knows there are limited quantities of the “star dishes.” You spot that banana pudding layered just right or the mac and cheese with the browned top.

But that doesn’t mean you should scoop half the pan onto your plate before half the room’s had a chance to eat.

Potlucks only work when everyone thinks about everyone else.

Taking double portions right out the gate is a surefire way to get whispered about in the folding chair circle later.

Be kind, start small, and go back for seconds if there’s enough to share. It’s not a race—it’s a fellowship.

Criticizing the Food Loud Enough for the Cooks to Hear

There’s always someone who leans in close and says, “That casserole was… interesting.”

Or worse, they say it in the same breath as asking who made it.

Whether you’re being passive-aggressive or outright rude, insulting someone’s cooking—especially in a church setting—is a no-go.

Even if it’s dry, over-salted, or a little too mysterious, someone put time and effort into making it.

Your plate is your business. Just don’t make everyone else feel awkward by turning into a food critic during fellowship.

Leaving a Giant Mess Behind at the Serving Table

It starts innocent—a spoon tipped over here, a drip of chili there.

But before long, the table looks like a toddler’s birthday party went off the rails.

Potluck etiquette means keeping things neat for the next person. That includes wiping spills, returning serving utensils, and not leaving bunches of cling wrap sprawled across the floor.

If everyone leaves just a little mess behind, the final result is chaos.

And guess who ends up cleaning it? Usually the same three volunteers who never complain but definitely notice.

Forgetting to Label Dishes—Especially the Ones With Allergens

Nothing strikes fear into the parent of a child with food allergies’ heart like seeing an unlabeled dish and wondering if it contains peanuts, shellfish, or mystery ingredients.

If you bring food to a church potluck, it takes 10 seconds to scribble out a label.

Even just listing “Contains nuts” or “Dairy-free” can go a long way in keeping people safe.

Forgetting is one thing. But bringing something risky and brushing off concerns with “Oh, I’m sure it’s fine” is reckless and rude.

Better to over-label than have someone end up at urgent care because of a carelessly made seven-layer dip.

Letting Kids Run Wild Through the Food Line

Kids are part of the joy of any church event.

But letting them run full speed past the desserts, grab handfuls of cookies, or use serving spoons as lightsabers? That’s not it.

Parents have a responsibility to guide their kids through the buffet with the same manners they’d expect at someone’s dinner table.

That means no finger food sampling, no climbing onto tables, and no cutting the line.

It’s all about teaching them that potlucks are shared experiences—and that good manners matter even when chocolate cake is involved.

Bringing a Dish That Clearly Belongs at Home

Sometimes, you just know something’s been sitting out too long.

Maybe it’s a mayo-heavy slaw that’s turned suspiciously shiny, or a tuna salad that smells a little too… fishy.

If it wouldn’t pass the sniff test in your own fridge, it shouldn’t be hauled to a community table.

Bringing spoiled or borderline dishes doesn’t just ruin appetites—it can make people genuinely sick.

Potlucks are acts of trust. When you contribute, you’re telling everyone else, “I care about your health as much as my own.”

Hovering Over Your Dish Like You’re Guarding a Secret Recipe

You bring a dish. People love it. But then you hang around the table, grinning and waiting for compliments like a proud parent at a piano recital.

Worse, you hover so closely that no one feels comfortable taking a scoop without engaging in awkward small talk.

It’s great to be proud of your cooking. But once you place it on the table, let it go.

Potlucks work best when they’re low-pressure. Let the food speak for itself without treating the buffet like your personal spotlight.

Showing Up Empty-Handed and Leaving with a Full Plate

We’ve all seen it—the person who “forgot” to bring something to their church’s potluck but still loads up their plate like they catered the thing.

It’s especially frustrating when they sneak out early with a to-go container packed to the brim.

Everyone understands that life gets busy and not everyone can cook. But consistently showing up without contributing gives off mooch vibes.

If you’re short on time, bring drinks, paper goods, or even offer to help clean up afterward. Contribution comes in many forms.

Just don’t be the person who turns every potluck into a personal buffet.

Ignoring the Potluck Theme or Guidelines

The sign-up sheet clearly said “finger foods only” or “no desserts needed.”

But then someone rolls in with a lasagna pan that requires a fork, knife, and possibly a degree in engineering to serve.

Ignoring guidelines makes it harder for organizers and throws off the balance of dishes.

Themes and rules aren’t about being strict—they’re about making sure the event runs smoothly.

So read the sign-up sheet. And don’t be the third person to bring deviled eggs to a dessert-only table.

Using the Event as a Personal Promo Booth

Nothing says “tacky” like handing out business cards between bites of meatballs.

Some folks treat church potlucks like networking events—hawking real estate services, homemade soaps, or the “best new weight-loss gummies.”

People come to these gatherings to unwind and enjoy each other’s company, not to dodge awkward sales pitches.

If someone asks what you’ve been up to, sure, mention your new venture. But don’t come armed with flyers and a slideshow on your Mac.

Church potlucks are for communion, not commissions.

Turning the Potluck Into a Family Reunion (Without Asking Anyone First)

Potlucks are open and welcoming, sure—but that doesn’t mean you should show up with your cousin’s cousin and three unexpected houseguests.

There’s a big difference between bringing a plus-one and rolling in with a surprise caravan.

When half the people in the food line don’t attend your church and didn’t bring a dish, regular attendees start wondering why the sweet tea ran out so fast.

Church potlucks are meant for fellowship among the church family. It’s usually not rude to bring a guest, but it’s polite to give someone a heads-up.

Otherwise, the seating gets tight, the food gets scarce, and the regulars get understandably annoyed.

Picking Through the Dishes With Your Fingers

Nobody wants to see fingers diving into the bread basket or someone poking a brownie to see if it’s “still warm.”

This isn’t your kitchen counter—it’s a shared table.

Even worse is watching someone tear a biscuit in half, sniff it, then put part of it back. That’s not just rude, it’s downright unsanitary.

Serving utensils are there for a reason, and you should always use the ones provided. No substitutions, no exceptions.

If you’re caught using your hands, don’t be surprised when people behind you politely pass by the dish.

Bringing the Same Thing Every Time (And Ignoring Feedback)

We all know someone who brings the same Jell-O salad or undercooked cornbread to every single potluck.

At first, it’s sweet—the person tried. But after the third time that it goes practically untouched, it stops feeling nice and starts feeling like a chore to eat to make the person who made it feel good.

Even when someone kindly hints that maybe it’s time to try something new, the repeat offender insists it’s “a classic.”

Being a thoughtful contributor means paying attention to what gets eaten—and what gets tossed.

If your dish always comes back full, it might be time to retire the lime Jell-O surprise.

Taking Leftovers Without Asking

It’s the end of the potluck, and you spot someone slyly packing up half the remaining meatballs before anyone’s had a chance to divvy up the extras.

Just because food is leftover doesn’t mean it’s up for grabs.

Unless you helped organize the event or got the okay from the host, helping yourself to the leftovers is like walking off with church supplies.

Some dishes are promised back to the families who brought them. Others are meant for the clean-up crew or those in need.

The polite move?

Ask first. It keeps things fair and prevents a whole lot of quiet resentment.

Ditching Cleanup Duty Without a Second Thought

The food’s been eaten, the crowd’s thinning, and suddenly half the room vanishes when the folding chairs come out.

It’s one of the rudest and most common offenses—leaving the cleanup to just a few.

Some folks genuinely have to leave early, but others fake phone calls, disappear into “important conversations,” or act like they don’t see the mess around them.