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RE: It’s Good to Eat Alone

dma-669038 — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 08:30:21 GMT

[quote][b]Kenneth Wymore (8/16/2011)[/b][hr][quote][b]dma-669038 (8/16/2011)[/b][hr][quote][b]Kenneth Wymore (8/15/2011)[/b][hr]On a day to day basis I just can't justify the cost over bringing my own lunchOur break room there was not conducive to team lunches and most of the common areas were not well equipped for that either. So unless we booked a conference room, we had to take it offsite which meant spending money.[/quote]That makes total sense.

RE: It’s Good to Eat Alone

KWymore — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 08:28:12 GMT

[quote][b]dma-669038 (8/16/2011)[/b][hr][quote][b]Kenneth Wymore (8/15/2011)[/b][hr]On a day to day basis I just can't justify the cost over bringing my own lunch.[/quote]Where i am we bring our lunch and eat it together.Expecting people to buy food and join in is a little unfair to their needs, although i do know of companies and teams that expected that.[/quote]Our break room there was not conducive to team lunches and most of the common areas were not well equipped for that either. So unless we booked a conference room, we had to take it offsite which meant spending money.

RE: It’s Good to Eat Alone

dma-669038 — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 07:35:39 GMT

[quote][b]Kenneth Wymore (8/15/2011)[/b][hr]On a day to day basis I just can't justify the cost over bringing my own lunch.[/quote]Where i am we bring our lunch and eat it together.Expecting people to buy food and join in is a little unfair to their needs, although i do know of companies and teams that expected that.

RE: It’s Good to Eat Alone

KWymore — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 15:53:37 GMT

My wallet doesn't see enough benefit in eating out with others every day. :-P Most people at my old job ate out or alone at their desk. It was rare to find people eating together in the break room. Now since I work at home mostly, I will eat out with others when I go in as time permits. However, since I work for a group that supports customers across North America, there are often conference calls over our lunch anyway so getting away long enough to sit and eat isn't that realistic most days.I think eating out with others is most important when you are new to the job and you are trying to get a feel for your coworkers and the culture of the company. It's also good for big projects where there is a lot of additional teamwork required. On a day to day basis I just can't justify the cost over bringing my own lunch.

RE: It’s Good to Eat Alone

michael.french 172 — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 15:53:33 GMT

It depends upon the client that I am at. If I can eat at my desk and leave earlier, then I am happy. My current contract requires a full one hour lunch. After about a week or so, I found myself just sort of wandering about. That is when I joined the gym across the street. Now I either go for a run or workout and then sit at my desk and eat my lunch by myself. I am enjoying the break in the middle of the day.I had one client where the DBA group I was working in was a bunch of lunchtime runners. That was good for all of us. I guarantee that problems got solved while we were out running. Then we got members from other departments to join. It was time well spent.

RE: It’s Good to Eat Alone

Mad Hacker — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 15:13:37 GMT

I do all of the above.Most days I eat by myself, many days at my desk, sometimes reading newsletters, blogs or surfing the net. Occasionaly I'll participate in a a group lunch and some days I'll go solo and try a new resturant whe I fele the need to debrief. All of the above options have their own merit depending on the circunstances.

RE: It’s Good to Eat Alone

Jack Corbett — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 06:31:14 GMT

[quote][b]Andy Warren (8/8/2011)[/b][hr]Jack, do they have a reason for requiring the break?[/quote]Just that they want you to walk away from the computer to give yourself a break. It's funny because because the same isn't required of employees, just contractors/consultants. Most of the employees eat at their desks. They also don't want to be billed for your time on the internet since that's probably what you'd be doing during lunch.

RE: It’s Good to Eat Alone

Andy Warren — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 05:28:19 GMT

Jack, do they have a reason for requiring the break?

RE: It’s Good to Eat Alone

Carla Wilson-484785 — Fri, 05 Aug 2011 13:08:17 GMT

So, here it is Friday, and I'm just getting around to reading Tuesday's newsletter...[quote][b]James Stover (8/2/2011)[/b][hr]I usually eat alone because that's time I take to process challenges encountered in the morning and come up with afternoon solutions (hopefully). [/quote]James' comment describes what I have never been able to put into words. This is exactly why I like to stay at my desk through the lunch "half-hour". Thanks! I have to remember this.

RE: It’s Good to Eat Alone

Freddie-304292 — Fri, 05 Aug 2011 09:58:51 GMT

[quote][b]wware (8/3/2011)[/b][hr]Is online social networking considered eating "alone?"I do like the point that it's important that your coworkers can differentiate you "taking a lunch break" from you just goofing off at your desk during the work day. Typically, I communicate this with a conspicuous display of food/trash on my desk during the lunch break.[/quote]Glad I'm not the only one who does that.I find chilling and surfing the net for an hour at lunchtime refreshes me for the afternoon and breaks the day up. I get calls and interruptions from people all day, don't need to speak to them at lunchtime as well. Anyway, drinks after work are a much more enjoyable way of networking.

RE: It’s Good to Eat Alone

ramona.johnson — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 09:33:23 GMT

When I started at my current position lunch was provided as a benefit and the whole staff ate together in the cafeteria. Since that has been cut many of us have noticed a significant decrease in the feeling of teamwork across the company. It is valuable to me to spend non-work time with my internal customers. When I know them as people it is easier to serve them and meet their needs with a good attitude :cool:I like to get away from my desk for 1/2 an hour at lunch time. I bring my lunch almost always and eat with a group of co-workers (not all in IT) on the patio or in the lunchroom. We play a modified game of UNO which is very fast paced and competitive and really gets my mind off of work. Of course we visit and gossip and joke and cajole and whatever else seems to come up. I go out to eat once a week at the most. Sometimes on my own in conjunction with an errand and sometimes with co-workers or to meet friends or previous co-workers and catch up.I find there are too many distractions to do any serious extended reading at my desk so I do that at home. I like to go for a brisk walk by myself when I am stuck, frustrated or have a headache - but that usually is not at lunch time.

RE: It’s Good to Eat Alone

KWymore — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 06:25:22 GMT

I eat alone most of the time but I also work from home most of the time. When I worked in the office I usually ate alone too. It was mainly to get work done or read through training sites uninterrupted. Sometimes I would read professional books as well but often I would read a novel just to give my brain a rest and allow me to recharge. I still do this sometimes while eating lunch at home although I find myself working through lunch more often than not.

RE: It’s Good to Eat Alone

ryk 98103 — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 13:37:41 GMT

I always eat out and read my daily paper during that hour. It's dedicated time that keeps me apprised of what's going on in the world.

RE: It’s Good to Eat Alone

Question Guy — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 13:31:15 GMT

Our group of 15 people in IT just eat at our desks. When I lived 5 minutes from home 5 years ago, I would go home to play WoW. With that said, when I was a noob I spent the first 2-3 years at my desk reading books practically each day in order to pass certifications. And also read books at night. Those days are over now, as I find that 3-5% of what I actually read is put to use at work. Decided that wasn't the life for me. Plus there is no benefits in getting certified here, and I don't plan to leave.

RE: It’s Good to Eat Alone

nawillia — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 12:54:59 GMT

I've always eaten lunch at my desk while working and normally i use my 'lunch hour' running errands or doing something personal. So i'll run an errand and maybe pick up something to eat and have it while I run some process etc. So it nets me working my full 8 and having my breaks. If i'm invited to lunch and there is no big project, I'll go, but that's always 50/50 and all my co-workers fall into the same situation. So they know that hey you can't make it because you have to meet deadlines not because you don't like them. The thing now is that i'm new at a place and all the old heads have lunch together a lot and I'm not usually invited, I would be offended except I'm always doing my own thing at lunch anyways and maybe they just notice that or maybe they don't like me or maybe they have some secret relationships going on :) lol .the funniest thing about eatting at your desk was this one guy at a place I worked would come over to you at 12 noon and see your chewing and proceed to discuss business. If I see someone eating I just say hey holla at me lata when you finish. :hehe:

RE: It’s Good to Eat Alone

Rose Bud — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 12:03:44 GMT

Is online social networking considered eating "alone?"I do like the point that it's important that your coworkers can differentiate you "taking a lunch break" from you just goofing off at your desk during the work day. Typically, I communicate this with a conspicuous display of food/trash on my desk during the lunch break.

RE: It’s Good to Eat Alone

Greg Charles — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 10:35:09 GMT

I'm one of those who prefer to eat lunch alone and disconnect from work. I find that occasional exchanges with co-workers at the coffee maker or water cooler provide plenty of networking opportunities, so I don't feel the need to lunch with them. I take a short lunch (1/2 hour) so I can end my work day earlier and that's just enough time to read the newspaper and maybe do a crossword puzzle while I eat.

RE: It’s Good to Eat Alone

MiguelSQL — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 10:21:36 GMT

As much as I can, I try not to eat at my desk.The main problem is that people see you online and don't kow you are working... or even the ones in the same office don't respect that it's your lunch hour.So I long ago decided to avoid eating at my desk, unless I'm actually working (sadly, it happens quite often)I think I have a healthy mix of eating with coworkers, so I can forge alliances. Eating with ex-coworkers, so I can keep up with what they are doing and see that the grass isn't always greener across the fence. And eating alone, either because I brought my lunch or because I just went to the sub shop.When I eat alone I use it as a quiet time. Time to relax, clear my mind, read something relaxing...On my old job I used to go for power walks when the weather wasn't so hot... it really helped with the relaxation.

RE: It’s Good to Eat Alone

Revenant — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 10:13:52 GMT

I have lots of Indian coworkers, including my boss. They like to start after 10 AM and have their lunch between 2 and 3 PM. That is too late for me.With this schedule they like to have noon meetings. I often end up eating my lunch during a meeting.

RE: It’s Good to Eat Alone

tlockwood — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 09:47:59 GMT

There are not enough lunches in the week to do all the things I like to do.- Eat with co-workers- Eat with ex-co-workers - Eat with friends (non-work related)- Eat with family- Run errands- Make personal phone calls - Do crossword puzzles- Exercise (an hour walk can do wonders)- Get some extra work doneI haven’t tried the power nap yet, but that does sound appealing.

RE: It’s Good to Eat Alone

skanker — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 09:44:14 GMT

I tend to eat on my own at my desk and browse the web or read a book (never seem to get time at home to read books anymore). The main reasons are to keep costs down and to have a shorter break - this lets me get home to the kids that much sooner.While I love to network I do find that lunch breaks end up that much longer (and cost more) - it is all time that has to be made up. Given the choice of playing footie (or whatever ) after work with the kids or having a longer luch break at work it is an easy choice to make.The biggest thing I miss is that years ago the Friday lunchtime drinks used to be a big thing - nowadays this is somewhat frowned upon.

RE: It’s Good to Eat Alone

L' Eomot Inversé — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 09:42:09 GMT

I used to go out and eat alone sometimes, go out and eat with colleagues some times, stay in and eat alone sometimes, stay in and eat with colleagues sometimes (that last would usually be round a table in the office, not in an canteen or works cafeteria). Relatively frequencies depended on circumstances (like where I was working, how many people there were in teh workplace, and so on). I [i]never[/i] did any technical reading a lunchtime. I don't mind working long hours when it's needed, I don't mind working or reading technical stuff after dinner or before breakfast, I don't even mind skipping lunch to get on with work on the rare occassions when it's necessary; but if I take a lunch break I want to forget things technical and relax; when I was lunching alone, I would read either fiction or a non-technical newspaper, or take a walk, or go lie on the grass in the sun, or go into a pub and play pub games (things like shoveha'penny, pitch penny, bar billiards, devil among the taylors and so on) with the locals. When I was lunching with colleagues, we would play games (traditional pub games or things like crib, dominoes, or word games or whatever) and/or talk: conversation would usually be gossip about friends/acquantances/colleagues/PHBs and other burdens/news/films/music - anything but hardcore technical shop (except at one place where we used to take multi-hour lunches; much of that lunch time was spent roughing out system structure diagrams, bits of maths, and odd code fragments on beermats and table napkins, but that still left time for non-technical relaxation during that long lunch break).

RE: It’s Good to Eat Alone

dma-669038 — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 08:34:28 GMT

We eat as team in the cafeteria - it is the best way to keep in touch with the grapevine and also meet other people. If there is a personal issue or a serious work issue we eat at the desk and that is totaly fine. I have learnt certain things the hard way...learning to read the grapevine and informal ties is one of them.It would be nice if one could just work at one's desk and go home..but normally people like that are termed 'loners' , people don't approach you easily, nobody knows who you are...not good at all.

RE: It’s Good to Eat Alone

venoym — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 08:06:43 GMT

I tend to eat "alone", but this is because I'm usually talking to the wife, taking a power nap, reading, or otherwise distracting myself from work. I typically have a lot of high pressure items on my plate and need the time for my brain to sort out and come up with solutions... and the main way is to distract my conscious mind and let my brain work uninterrupted. Yes, it's fun to take lunch with others, but often I just need a break from everyone and everything.

RE: It’s Good to Eat Alone

sturner — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 07:43:17 GMT

Gosh, so many loners in the software/DBA world... no wonder some people get the idea we are nerds lol.I do enjoy some time alone for contemplation but rarely at lunch. Going to lunch with other people from your place of work is valuable in terms of building relationships on a broader level than you just in a meeting or over by the water cooler.It is also important to go to lunch with people from other departments than just the guy in the cube next to you. By doing this you broaden your base, develop allies you may need later on and break up your brain focus for a while which can give new insights. You may end up developing some great new friendships as well.I think the tendency for techies to be loners is not a good trend overall. It doesn't tend to enhance your networking base which can be very important to getting a new job or maybe just keeping an old one.

RE: It’s Good to Eat Alone

yan-160997 — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 07:27:03 GMT

I prefer to eat alone at my desk, but this luxury has been taken away since other people think that I am not "part of them". "Communication skills" as DBA is so..."important".

RE: It’s Good to Eat Alone

zintp — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 06:53:33 GMT

Half and half. I think it is very important to build and maintain those relationships at work through a lunch now and then, and it is also important to use that time to do that technical reading you can only get to during work hours, while it doesn't impose on actual work, or personal time at home.I like the calculation of how much 20 minutes twice a week adds up to. I'm finding myself consistently stretched more thinly every year, and it's nice to hear how much a few minutes now and then can accomplish over the course of a year. Going to have to keep that perspective in mind. Thanks!

RE: It’s Good to Eat Alone

GWAk — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 06:34:39 GMT

For me, eating alone is the safest choice, and for a couple of reasons:- I keep costs down by bringing my lunch- I stay away from 'clothing-optional' waitstaff-type places that my co-workers seem to gravitate towards like little boys in the treehouse with nudie magsAt my age (40-something) I find that a power-nap down in the parking lot after eating helps me to maximize my work-life balance, giving me a re-charge going into after-hours, be it for evening family time or home maintenance/improvement. No matter what happens, you'll never regret too much time with family once the kids are grown.

RE: It’s Good to Eat Alone

Dave Schutz — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 06:33:41 GMT

Typically I eat alone and browse online news/sports. It's a quick break from work. Occassionally I'll eat with others but that usually takes longer and distracts me more from work than eating alone.

RE: It’s Good to Eat Alone

Jack Corbett — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 06:29:05 GMT

For 4 years I went home and had lunch with my wife most of the time. The last 6 weeks, I've been "required" to be away from my desk for 30 minutes at lunch. Since the weather is good I usually go sit outside to eat and then read using the kindle app on my phone or call my wife to see how things are going at home. With my current position I'd rather eat at my desk and leave early, but it isn't an option. Since I'm a contractor paid hourly I don't go out to eat with co-workers because I don't want to have to stay later to make up for the long lunch. I'd rather be home with my wife and kids.

RE: It’s Good to Eat Alone

blandry — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 06:17:41 GMT

Having been in this business over 3 decades, and having worked for both large corporate organizations and medium sized ones, I still have never cracked one mystery about lunch...Like most techies I am either eating at my desk while working, or indeed like you Andy, reading a book or magazine while I down yet another salad (to keep my doctor happy...)So here's the mystery... Why is time for Sales and Marketing guys different from those of us in the tech arena? If a techie goes to lunch for "an hour", he/she is back usually within the hour. But if a Sales and Marketing guy (or guys) go to lunch for "an hour", they leave at Noon and return at about 3:00 PM.Is there some great tear in the fabric of time and space? Do Sales and Marketing guys hunt for their food, cook it, and then devour it? Do their watches stop when they are outside the office?In all these years the only hint I have at what is really going on comes from a time when I was out picking up the pizza for the tech staff and I happened to notice a gang of our Sales and Marketing guys who had "gone to lunch" - and actually were at the driving range blasting golf balls into the netherworld.Oh, and thats another mystery I have never resolved... What does playing golf or driving golf balls have to do with successfully selling software? My theory? You line up the clients, slap a few golf balls and hopefully hit a few clients in the head - thereby making the sale easier as the client stands there dazed and confused. I suppose this is just the fabric of mankind: Ug the caveman found a cavewoman by whacking her in the head (apparently), and we have simply carried on that sometimes-successful strategy to this day.

RE: It’s Good to Eat Alone

call.copse — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 03:13:24 GMT

I either eat alone browsing the news - keeping up with politics, football (soccer for Americans) and cricket, as a young family means I cannot do this at home, or nip out for a swim, gym session or game of squash (my preference). Maybe I might go a little over the hour for sporting purposes but I think it is well worth an extra half hour in the evening to avoid being sedentary all day. Though I do cycle to work and often go to the gym in the morning too. I think my employer gets good value for me being healthy and fit - the time spent really recharges the mind IMO - though maybe it is just me!

RE: It’s Good to Eat Alone

Michael Lysons — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 03:10:37 GMT

As often as possible. I don't like it if people interrupt lunch time. I like to surf the net for the latest footy news or read Kindle books on my iPhone.

RE: It’s Good to Eat Alone

Koen Verbeeck — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 03:04:52 GMT

It depends :-)Usually I don't eat alone, but sometimes when I have lots of work to do I eat alone.Or when I have to surf the net or make some phone calls.

RE: It’s Good to Eat Alone

paul.knibbs — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 02:27:34 GMT

I pretty much always eat alone, and use the opportunity to do non-work-related web browsing whenever possible!

RE: It’s Good to Eat Alone

James Stover — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 22:44:37 GMT

I usually eat alone because that's time I take to process challenges encountered in the morning and come up with afternoon solutions (hopefully). When I have lunch with workmates it's usually a distracting 2 hour affair that causes me to stay later in the evening, which I don't want to do. However, I do enjoy a Friday long lunch to catch-up on the happenings of the week.

It’s Good to Eat Alone

Andy Warren — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 21:12:19 GMT

Comments posted to this topic are about the item [B]It’s Good to Eat Alone[/B]