Oh, it is officially potluck season around the office now that the post-Raya seasons are still strong. Raya potlucks bring coworkers together over food, joyful spirits, and a little mayhem in the pantry, whether it is an official open house or an unplanned celebration in the cubicle.
The office potluck is not the same without a few familiars, but several kinds of folks always show up. So, which one are you?
1. The Potluck President
The unsung hero who will save us in an instant. This individual volunteered to initiate the Google Sheet, delegate tasks, and remind everyone in the group chat three times. Whatever you need, from plates to playlists, they have it all.
“Reminder: setup starts at 11 am. Don’t forget your serving spoons!”
2. The Catered Contributor
While they did not prepare the meal, they did bring it. Originating from a trustworthy source, such as their mother, a beloved in-home caterer, or, uh, the Secret Recipe down the street, is the norm. However, when it is good, nobody complains.
“This is home-cooked! Just… not by me.”
3. The Minimalist
They will just come in with a 1.5-liter Coke bottle and leave. “I am not much of a cook,” they will declare, and then they will find a way to avoid making eye contact while they clean up.
“At least I brought drinks kan? That counts!”
4. The Raya Runway Model
They turn up in clothing resembling what one might wear to a Raya commercial photo session. Every angle of the camera is great for them. Yes, the accessories match in color, and they coordinated their outfit a week in advance.
“Eh wait wait, before makan… let’s get a Boomerang!”
Stayed silent in the Raya potluck group chat. Did not notify attendance. However, they appear at precisely the moment the food is ready to be eaten, prepare a plate, chow down in silence, and then disappear back to their work.
“…Eh, you still work here ah?”
6. The Tapau Trooper
They arrange everything beforehand. As soon as the potluck begins to wind down, the Tupperware comes out. In spite of repeatedly saying, “Sayang la food ni,” they always manage to bring home rendang, kek lapis, and kuih raya with them.
“I brought a container because I know you guys are not going to tapau it all.”
7. The Social Butterfly
They become part of every selfie because they know someone in every department. They interact with trainees and HR, IT, and finance staff. They are here for the vibe.
“Omg, your baju kurung is so nice! Where’d you buy it?”
8. The Cleaner Crew MVP
This individual is already clearing plates, wiping tables, and arranging leftovers while everyone else is grumbling about their full bellies. Thank you, cleanup team MVP! They are the unsung hero of every potluck.
“I’ll just pack these so the ants don’t come later.”
9. The Manager Who’s Just Here for Vibes
Their brief “thanks for organizing” speech, photo session with HR, and subsequent disappearance ensure that no one sees they forgot to bring anything. Timeless vibe.
“Great job, team. This looks amazing. Selamat Hari Raya, everyone!”
Raya Potlucks Are Nothing Without the People
The people at an office Raya potluck are much more fun than the food itself. Every single person adds their special touch to the party, whether it is the tapau masters or the dressing-up divas. Embrace your potluck gang and pause to enjoy them the next time you are sitting down to a meal. Just remember to ask yourself, “Which one am I really?”
