5 ms·

I don't get it, what's wrong with eating in a shared workspace? I don't work in one, but it seems like a "normal" thing to do.

rleigh 8y ago
It's beyond antisocial. Being forced to smell and see food, and watch people eat can be disgusting. Some food is obviously worse than others. Deliberately inflicting it on an entire office is not-so-subtly telling everyone else that their eating at their desk, rather than use any provided kitchen or dining facilities, is more important to them than their consideration of every other person in the place. It might be "normal" in some places, but those are places I would find detestable. It only takes one person to make the rest of an open plan office feel nauseous. If a person can't find 30 or even 15 minutes to leave their desk to eat their lunch, then there's something seriously wrong with their work culture. It's not like they are going to be actually "working" while stuffing food into their faces. They should take the time to switch off for a few minutes for their own physical and mental health, and the consideration of others.
- jpindar 8y ago
  You'd get more sympathy without the "its for their own good" part.
  - rleigh 8y ago
    Why? The point about it being antisocial and inconsiderate stands on its own. The point about it being for their own good is separate, but still valid. Too many people end up with long term health problems from sedentary jobs, and a small amount of physical and social activity at lunch is all some people get. Missing that out can be quite detrimental in the long run, from depression, lack of motivation and migranes to bad circulation and consequent RSI problems and other health problems. I've suffered from some of the above even with not eating at my desk and taking breaks. Some of the people I've known who basically didn't move for 9+ hours a day had some horrific health and mental problems, and because people often minimise the dangers I'm deliberately bringing them up. They can creep up slowly over the course of years, which makes them insidious and underestimated. Being "so busy" you rationalise eating at your desk is symptomatic of a more general lack of care which needs sorting out.
s73v3r_ 8y ago
Places like that usually have a kitchen for doing that. But the thing is, the aroma (or stench) of the food, and the sounds of eating can be really distracting, in a grosser way than regular talking can be.

rleigh 8y ago

It's beyond antisocial. Being forced to smell and see food, and watch people eat can be disgusting. Some food is obviously worse than others. Deliberately inflicting it on an entire office is not-so-subtly telling everyone else that their eating at their desk, rather than use any provided kitchen or dining facilities, is more important to them than their consideration of every other person in the place. It might be "normal" in some places, but those are places I would find detestable. It only takes one person to make the rest of an open plan office feel nauseous. If a person can't find 30 or even 15 minutes to leave their desk to eat their lunch, then there's something seriously wrong with their work culture. It's not like they are going to be actually "working" while stuffing food into their faces. They should take the time to switch off for a few minutes for their own physical and mental health, and the consideration of others.

jpindar 8y ago
You'd get more sympathy without the "its for their own good" part.
- rleigh 8y ago
  Why? The point about it being antisocial and inconsiderate stands on its own. The point about it being for their own good is separate, but still valid. Too many people end up with long term health problems from sedentary jobs, and a small amount of physical and social activity at lunch is all some people get. Missing that out can be quite detrimental in the long run, from depression, lack of motivation and migranes to bad circulation and consequent RSI problems and other health problems. I've suffered from some of the above even with not eating at my desk and taking breaks. Some of the people I've known who basically didn't move for 9+ hours a day had some horrific health and mental problems, and because people often minimise the dangers I'm deliberately bringing them up. They can creep up slowly over the course of years, which makes them insidious and underestimated. Being "so busy" you rationalise eating at your desk is symptomatic of a more general lack of care which needs sorting out.

s73v3r_ 8y ago

Places like that usually have a kitchen for doing that. But the thing is, the aroma (or stench) of the food, and the sounds of eating can be really distracting, in a grosser way than regular talking can be.