The most mortifying moment of my career just happened over a Tupperware of dip.
By @laneforsure · Work
We had a team potluck at work today, and I brought a simple 7-layer dip. One of my coworkers decided to perform a full-on culinary critique of it in front of our entire team and my manager.
The full story
Okay, so you know how office potlucks go. Everyone brings something, it's a nice little break. I'm not a chef, so I made what I thought was a foolproof classic: a big 7-layer dip. I was actually pretty proud of it. Then comes my coworker. This person fancies themselves a foodie and thinks every meal should be a Michelin-star experience. I watch them walk up to the table, take a single chip, and dip it with the intense focus of a bomb disposal expert. They chew for a second, with their eyes closed, and then they start. "Hmm," they say, loud enough for the whole group to hear. "The texture on the guacamole is… interesting. Is it pre-made?" And then, AND THEN, they have the audacity to ask, "Whose is this? I just want to offer some constructive notes for next time!" Everyone goes quiet and turns to look. My manager is standing right there. I felt my soul leave my body as I had to slowly raise my hand. This coworker proceeds to tell me, in front of everyone, that my bean layer needed more cumin and that a fresh pico de gallo would "really elevate it." I just wanted to melt into the floor. It was just dip. It was just a dip!
How people voted
- On their side — 27% (31 votes)
- Both sides — 35% (40 votes)
- Other side — 37% (42 votes)
Readers are split: “Other side” leads with 37% — 113 votes and 5 comments so far.
What people are saying
@marayk — Is it possible they were trying to be funny and it just landed really badly?
@kiramaybe — That's not 'constructive feedback,' it's just a desperate need to feel superior.
@alsotbh — next time just bring a can of beans and see what happens
@quinnyy — your coworker sounds fun.
@ashagain — Oh honey, that's just plain rude. I bet your dip was delicious.
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