Boston Nesties
Dear Community,

Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.

If you have questions about this, please email help@theknot.com.

Thank you.

Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.

office lunch etiquette

Do you eat lunch at your desk?  If you do, do people talk to you while you're eating or leave you alone?  Do you approach people when they're eating at their desk?

I used to sit in a cube and people would come up to me all the time when I was eating.  It drove me nuts.  I would always help and talk to them because I didn't want to be rude, but sometimes I'd have to finish chewing or something and it was so awkward.  People would usually say "Oh I'm sorry" but raaaaaarely leave and say "I'll come back later."

I sit in an office now and lately I've started closing my door most of the way when I'm eating.  I don't want to close it all the way in case someone does really need something important.  I feel a little rude but so far it's working.  Do you think this is the best solution?

Re: office lunch etiquette

  • I usually eat at my desk and most people are good about not bothering me while I'm eating (I sit in a cube).  I definitely try not to bother people if I see they're eating - I usually just let them know I need something and tell them to let me know when they are free.
    image

    image

  • I think it's fine to keep your door closed while you're eating.  I bet if people really needed to see you they still wouldn't have any qualms about knocking.
    I'd rather be rock climbing or playing volleyball
    imageimage
  • duh - I didn't answer your question about the door.

    I think it's perfectly acceptable to close your door most of the way if you're eating/want private time.  That's common practice at my company and it lets people know that they can't just barge in.

    image

    image

  • I think it is fine to close your door.

    My desk is in my lab so I can't eat at it.

    Warning No formatter is installed for the format bbhtml
  • When I worked at an office, I ate at my desk, and yes, people expected me to drop what I was doing and talk to them if they approached me.

    I did not bother people if they were eating.   And yes, close your door!

  • I eat in my office and people constantly come in while I'm eating and don't really let me finish chewing. Blah.

    I think it's fine to close your door to get some privacy, and people will def knock if they need something.

  • My company doesn't allow eating at your desk so we all head to the cafe at noon like we're in school.
  • I close my door and people still bother me! I find it rude to disrupt someone's lunch personally. If I happen to stop by your office/desk/cube and see that you are eating I always apologize and say I'll come back later or ask the person to call me later.

     The very first day at my current job, my boss told me I should expect him to bother me/ask me questions/etc. during my lunch break if I'm eating at my desk.  I remember thinking WTF who the hell does that???  At least he has never bothered me during my lunch as coworkers have.

  • imageRock-n-Voll:
    I think it's fine to keep your door closed while you're eating.  I bet if people really needed to see you they still wouldn't have any qualms about knocking.

    Ditto.

    I go home for lunch though, so I can't say from personal experience. And when I worked with other people and didn't go home for lunch, I ate in the break room.

    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker
  • Thanks everyone.  I'm kind of glad to hear I'm not the only one this happens to.
  • When I worked in an office it was an open sales floor.  The only time anyone went into their office was if they had a conference call or meeting.  There was never really any lunch break.  Everyone was expected to eat at their desks (unless taking a client out) and it was expected that you just worked while you ate. 
  • I'm a teacher and I can either eat in the Teacher's Room or alone at my desk.  Our lunch is under 20 minutes long and people seem to have no problem coming into the Teacher's Room and asking us things during a very short break!  It makes me crazy!  I eat in my classroom if I want privacy because the rest of the floor (including students) eat lunch at that time.  I don't think it is rude to shut the door.  I think it indicates that people should only bother you if it is important.  Especially if your door is usually open. . .
    Warning No formatter is installed for the format bbhtml
Sign In or Register to comment.
Choose Another Board
Search Boards