Bringing in Food--Too Unprofessional?

[whitetopaz]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Please note: I don't plan on bringing in food on the first day of class. I definitely want to become adjusted to the school/curriculum and understand all the responsibilities of being a medical student first and foremost.

I went to an undergrad that really emphasized team-based learning, and will be matriculating into a medical school with a similar curriculum (we get put into small "Hogwarts-like" teams, and will remain in these teams for all four years of medical school). During undergrad, I would sometimes bring in food (brownies, donuts, cookies) when we had team-based learning exercises. Everyone seemed to enjoy/appreciate it, and we tended to bond while stress-eating in general.

I'm not entirely sure what the etiquette is for medical school. Is it looked down upon as unprofessional by my teammates, other classmates, and/or professors? I don't intend to do this regularly, and I also don't want to be viewed as a "gunner" in any way. I just like to bake as a hobby, and want to offer the occasional treat to others, but not at the expense of my "professional image."

 

[differentiating]

In small groups? No, it’d be fine - had a few people in my class do that on occasion and it was always appreciated. It may be worth checking with whoever’s running the session if you’re really worried, but I’d be surprised if anyone had an issue.

 

[Tenk]

Anyone who gets mad someone else brought in free food is an idiot. If someone like that exists in your group I would make every effort to bring in extra food.

 

[Dantes]

For PBLs it's actually an unwritten rule that we bring in snacks at my school lol. We have 7-8 people and and move down the list each session so someone brings in food at least once usually. You'll be fine and it'll be appreciated.

 

[Sterling_Archer]

No one at my school says no to baked goods

 

[maplecookie]

Free food is always appreciated

 

[nimbus]

Bringing food=kindness. Nothing unprofessional about that.

 

[honey0102]

Please note: I don't plan on bringing in food on the first day of class. I definitely want to become adjusted to the school/curriculum and understand all the responsibilities of being a medical student first and foremost.

I went to an undergrad that really emphasized team-based learning, and will be matriculating into a medical school with a similar curriculum (we get put into small "Hogwarts-like" teams, and will remain in these teams for all four years of medical school). During undergrad, I would sometimes bring in food (brownies, donuts, cookies) when we had team-based learning exercises. Everyone seemed to enjoy/appreciate it, and we tended to bond while stress-eating in general.

I'm not entirely sure what the etiquette is for medical school. Is it looked down upon as unprofessional by my teammates, other classmates, and/or professors? I don't intend to do this regularly, and I also don't want to be viewed as a "gunner" in any way. I just like to bake as a hobby, and want to offer the occasional treat to others, but not at the expense of my "professional image."

Oh trust me, I did this all the time. We had these teams too. My classmates and team leader loved it. I too bake as a hobby.
Maybe don't do it on the first day. But once you get to know them do it then

 

[DrRedstone]

Free food forms friendships. Just do it.

 

[TelemarketingEnigma]

I stress-bake (and procrastibake) a lot, and always end up making way more than I could reasonably eat by myself, so naturally I end up frequently bringing baked goods in to share with my class. PBL/Small groups are usually the best time to bring in food, but everyone will love you for it anytime.

The only time it would be remotely unprofessional is if you're doing some kind of professional/clinical activity where you're meeting patients or need to be dressed up - a bunch of med students munching on cookies with crumbs all over their white coats probably isn't the best look. At least you gotta make sure to share with the patients.

 

[takeurmeds02]

I'm 1000% sure it's fine but just ask first. Ex. Could be fine with the facilitator but maybe you can't bring food in that particular room

 

[whitetopaz]

Thanks for the feedback, everyone!

I think I’m just worried because bringing in baked goods is systematically viewed as unprofessional in high-powered businesses/companies, and i didn’t know if this translates to medical school.

Also, a pre-health advisor once told me to never talk about cooking/baking in medical school because i need to “strive to be the next Atul Gawande, not the next Betty Crocker.” Then again, what do they know, amiright?

 

[Sterling_Archer]

Thanks for the feedback, everyone!

I think I’m just worried because bringing in baked goods is systematically viewed as unprofessional in high-powered businesses/companies, and i didn’t know if this translates to medical school.

Also, a pre-health advisor once told me to never talk about cooking/baking in medical school because i need to “strive to be the next Atul Gawande, not the next Betty Crocker.” Then again, what do they know, amiright?

Lol. Your advisor sounds wildly out of touch with the medical school environment. Having hobbies is good discussion fodder and makes you seem more personable. When you interview for residency and they ask you about your hobbies are you going to say reviewing the intricacies of gluconeogenesis and reading the NEJM?

 

[Dr. Brightside]

You will see over M1 year how y'all will start caring less and less about "professionalism" expectations (dress codes, etc). Everyone is so worried at first but nobody cares in the end as long as you aren't a jerk and don't kill patients. I'm sure your classmates will love you; I know I would!!

 

[TelemarketingEnigma]

I think I’m just worried because bringing in baked goods is systematically viewed as unprofessional in high-powered businesses/companies, and i didn’t know if this translates to medical school.

...it is? I dunno what you're defining as "high-powered", but people regularly brought baked goods into the office I worked in before med school, and most of my friends/family have described similar experiences in a wide variety of work places. Obviously you shouldn't be eating cookies in serious important business meetings, but bringing in baked goods to leave in the break room or share from your desk is usually not an issue...

Also, a pre-health advisor once told me to never talk about cooking/baking in medical school because i need to “strive to be the next Atul Gawande, not the next Betty Crocker.” Then again, what do they know, amiright?

lolwut
people in med school are real human beings with varied interests. including food. pretty much all of us like food, at all levels of the hierarchy.

 

[CherryRedDracul]

Also, a pre-health advisor once told me to never talk about cooking/baking in medical school because i need to “strive to be the next Atul Gawande, not the next Betty Crocker.” Then again, what do they know, amiright?

"pre-health advisor" LOL

Yeah, ignore that person. We often have baked goodies or order food to the radiology reading room so all of us can dig in.

 

[jurassicpark]

Please note: I don't plan on bringing in food on the first day of class. I definitely want to become adjusted to the school/curriculum and understand all the responsibilities of being a medical student first and foremost.

I went to an undergrad that really emphasized team-based learning, and will be matriculating into a medical school with a similar curriculum (we get put into small "Hogwarts-like" teams, and will remain in these teams for all four years of medical school). During undergrad, I would sometimes bring in food (brownies, donuts, cookies) when we had team-based learning exercises. Everyone seemed to enjoy/appreciate it, and we tended to bond while stress-eating in general.

I'm not entirely sure what the etiquette is for medical school. Is it looked down upon as unprofessional by my teammates, other classmates, and/or professors? I don't intend to do this regularly, and I also don't want to be viewed as a "gunner" in any way. I just like to bake as a hobby, and want to offer the occasional treat to others, but not at the expense of my "professional image."

Completely dependent on the culture of your class/team/professor. I have no idea what a "professional image" for a first or second year medical student is except don't come in your underwear and toilet paper still trailing from your underwear (and even then most of us would just shrug).

Everyone loves food, if you ask I'm sure most people would be okay, just be very very very careful with those special brownies.

We all appreciate good food, especially if made by someone else and/or PAID for by someone else 🙂

I remember we would often bring in pizza and snacks to class. If we were forced to attend lecture, by God we would enjoy it!

 

[OneTwoThreeFour]

Thanks for the feedback, everyone!

I think I’m just worried because bringing in baked goods is systematically viewed as unprofessional in high-powered businesses/companies, and i didn’t know if this translates to medical school.

Also, a pre-health advisor once told me to never talk about cooking/baking in medical school because i need to “strive to be the next Atul Gawande, not the next Betty Crocker.” Then again, what do they know, amiright?

You can use the first lesson to make sure nobody anaphylaxes to peanuts

 

[raiderette]

Learn about food allergies, then go for it. Food was always welcome in group

 

[nimbus]

Also, a pre-health advisor once told me to never talk about cooking/baking in medical school because i need to “strive to be the next Atul Gawande, not the next Betty Crocker.” Then again, what do they know, amiright?

I don’t know how many books Atul Gewande has sold but Betty Crocker has sold over 75million copies. I would strive to be Betty Crocker.

 

[Osteosaur]

First week of medical school everyone has button-down shirts in 90 degree weather. One month in everyone has t-shirts and jeans and my phone gets blasted with messages about left-over food here and there.

I'm sure bringing in food for your learning group would be welcome. If you're super nervous maybe ask the facilitator? I don't think people should be made to feel guilty for not bringing any. When I worked I didn't like to bring in food or eat other people's food, so I did not unless they made it and no one was taking any.

I'm only an M2 but it seems like a bad idea during rotations. Its kind of messy, you don't know the people, etc.

 

[jurassicpark]

First week of medical school everyone has button-down shirts in 90 degree weather. One month in everyone has t-shirts and jeans and my phone gets blasted with messages about left-over food here and there.

I'm sure bringing in food for your learning group would be welcome. If you're super nervous maybe ask the facilitator? I don't think people should be made to feel guilty for not bringing any. When I worked I didn't like to bring in food or eat other people's food, so I did not unless they made it and no one was taking any.

I'm only an M2 but it seems like a bad idea during rotations. Its kind of messy, you don't know the people, etc.

This is like residency. First IM we were all suits and ties with white coats. Second year was scrubs. Third year my department chair had to remind me to put on a shirt.

 

[nimbus]

This is like residency. First IM we were all suits and ties with white coats. Second year was scrubs. Third year my department chair had to remind me to put on a shirt.

During my anesthesia residency, we were reminded not to come to M+M or grand rounds in shorts and flip-flops with skateboard in tow.

 

[CherryRedDracul]

This is like residency. First IM we were all suits and ties with white coats. Second year was scrubs. Third year my department chair had to remind me to put on a shirt.

If he didn't keep ya'll in check, I'd imagine someone would come in with just a white coat.

Only a white coat. Maybe hospital socks, too.

 

[Premed2295]

I’ve never met a person who doesn’t need to eat.
Bring food

 

[jurassicpark]

If he didn't keep ya'll in check, I'd imagine someone would come in with just a white coat.

Only a white coat. Maybe hospital socks, too.

I have heard of this happening, not hospital socks.. high heels.

 

[EMS0821]

Just clear it with the facilitator first or bring some for the student lounge, a few people already have

 

[7331poas]

Wtf. People bring food at your schools? At mine we just do our best to get through the session with the least amount of communication possible then never talk to each other again.

 

[RNthenDoc]

I have heard of this happening, not hospital socks.. high heels.

wait what

 

[Kgizzle]

No eating, no meeting.

 

[Seb345]

Hey there as a person that has a lot of allergies it's very sweet what you are trying to do. You should find out about potential allergens or have a few options that cater for everyone. I know that people think it's being extra but I feel like it's inclusive. I mean I remember when I was a kid and I found I had celiac disease (or intolerance towards gluten) and I always felt excluded because when I was in school I could never eat food from the cafeteria or those snacks other children brought. It was not the greatest experience. So when I got to med school and there were people who actually considered the possibility that people might be allergic or vegan or something and brought more option then one it felt nice. I always ask my colleagues if they are allergic t something or have a specific food intolerance just because I want to spare them and myself the awkwardness. But hey that's just me.

 

[sloop]

When I was in med school, bringing in food to small group was very common. Some groups even made rotating schedules where someone was supposed to bring food.

 

[nimbus]

Wtf. People bring food at your schools? At mine we just do our best to get through the session with the least amount of communication possible then never talk to each other again.

Sad. Med school can be a part of life that you enjoy. Some of my best lifelong friends are from med school.

 

[mehc012]

Hey there as a person that has a lot of allergies it's very sweet what you are trying to do. You should find out about potential allergens or have a few options that cater for everyone

I mean, if they're providing free food to a group without any expectation or onus to do so, I'd say the responsibility isn't on them to provide 'a few options' to cater for everyone. It's bonus food. Sucks if you can't eat it, and is thoughtful if, as people learn about their colleagues more, they begin to accomodate, but...someone who brings in free food that one person can't eat is still doing a really nice, thoughtful thing.

 

[You shall know the Truth]

Make sure it has extra gluten! But in all seriousness people will appreciate the gesture

 

[commonwealthMD]

This seems ok to me, make sure no one in your group has severe allergies that could kill them; probably wouldn't be a great first impression, doesn't allign with the whole 'do no harm' thing 🙂