Who brings food? The GM or the Players?

[Fauchard1520]

I've seen it run both ways, with GMs sometimes taking on hosting duties ("Thank you so much for coming to my home! Have some pulled pork.") and other times expecting snacks to be heaped upon their GM throne ("If you're going to come to my house, you're going to contribute to the snack fund.") Those are two very different attitudes, and it can lead to etiquette confusion when you move between groups.

My question to the board: How does your group play it? And more importantly, how do you convey that information to the rest of the group? Do you make a formal point of it in Session Zero, or just assume that everyone will pick up on subtext?

Comic related.

 

[Umbran]

I play with adults on weeknights - so it isn't about snacks, it is about having dinner. I'm GM, and also host, so my wife and I typically cook for the group. If we have to order out for some reason, folks with means are expected to chip in.

 

[TwoSix]

In one of my games, the couple that hosts the game usually makes dinner (the wife likes to cook), and everyone else brings various snacks.

In another, the host usually volunteers to pick up food from various restaurants, and we all pay him. Occasionally someone else will volunteer to stop at one of their local spots and bring food. We organize it via text and email chains. It's been working fine for the past 10 years.

 

[Zhaleskra]

I suppose I'll start with the most obvious question to ask about this: where are you playing?

Let's assume you're meeting at the GM's house, or one of the other players' homes. In this situation, who brings food depends on agreement, or simply if the host wants to cook, order out, or provide snacks.

If you're gaming in public, bring your own, unless the venue is a restaurant with its own food in which case order food at the restaurant.

 

[Celebrim]

When I was a kid, the DM didn't pay for the food. The other players chipped in and fed him. Hence the saying, "Any DM worth his pizza..."

But that was like 30 years ago. In my current group we just take turns bringing the food.

But if you are a player, and the DM not only provides the game, but feeds you, then you are IMO indebted. At least buy the guy some nice stuff for GM's day.

 

[Morrus]

Everyone, including both GM and host, provides something small. We don’t eat much while gaming. Most of us have dinner at home beforehand.

 

[lowkey13]

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[DEFCON 1]

Our games are at 7:30pm on a weeknight at my home (as DM). I usually never provide food or snacks unless we had some stuff left over we're trying to get rid of (like extra pies around the holidays). The players usually bring the snacks and the drinks they want to have and share.

 

[DEFCON 1]

The players bring the food.

The proper (and only) way to do this is for the players to bring all of the food to the DM. Then the DM chooses which of the offerings the DM shall partake of.

After the DM has taken the most desirable snacks and victuals, the players may divvy up the rest.

Also? Never, ever look the DM in the eye, for that is the way of madness.

I shudder to think of what liberties your DMs get on your player's wedding nights...

 

[lowkey13]

*Deleted by user*