a little rant about tomorrow

I read your other post about this meal yesterday and kind of thought about it a little more.  Today we are having food catered in for everyone in the office.  I am not thrilled about this because it will be barbeque, baked beans, potato salad, etc.  I have brought something else to eat (which I know you can't do unless you eat it before you go).  I haven't ate any barbeque yet so I just don't know how well it will sit with me, so I am actually afraid to eat.  I also don't really care for barbeque nor the place they are getting it from. 

But to my point......you seem to be taking this personally.  It is very difficult for supervisor's to please everyone and meet everyone's needs.  To me it sounds as if they are making a gesture to try and do something nice for the staff and you have posted as if they are doing this to hurt you.  Maybe if you looked at this a different way....go for the company of your co-workers, eat or don't eat, that is your choice.  Don't look at this as a negative but as a positive gesture on their part.  I have gone out to eat with my family and actually just sat there and talked and did not order any food.  My family wanted to eat the food their and it was a choice I made.  There was nothing wrong the restaurant, it was just something I did not want to eat.  Everyone can not and should not have to always try and accommodate us, they have wants and needs also that are just as important as ours.

People above have given you some suggestions but just think about trying to make this a positive instead of a negative experience.

It turned out OK, I think I was also dreading the "meeting" part of the lunch too. This is a really busy time for the coordinators at work so leaving for lunch early, and getting back late just puts us all behind. We are also short staffed so I would have rather worked with the students to help out.

I am glad it turned out okay, I was wondering.

Order the chicken gluten-free. That way they won't (hopefully) add their breading to it. Sometimes it works - when the waitress actually cares.

Just go in assuming you can replace pasta with veggies. Don't ask. Tell (nicely of course).

Have fun! The whole reason for going is to be with your co-workers and celebrate each other. Just because they are making it a food-centered activity doesn't mean that you have to.

Thanks everyone, I appreciate the help. This group is full of great people. It did turn out alright, I ended up ordering a caprese salad and had them add chicken. I was worried because pasta is a weakness of mine, so far avoidance has worked. It is also a real busy time at work right now so I think it was also hard knowing that it would be more of a challenge to meet some deadlines. I've been helping with a History review class, and had to leave the teacher to deal with it alone, and he has been sick. But, I skipped the pasta, the bread, and the tiramisu so it is a victory.