Agreed. But, then again, even when I did work at start-ups in the 90s, without kids and responsibilities, I much preferred "out of the office" activities. I t

Agreed. But, then again, even when I did work at start-ups in the 90s, without kids and responsibilities, I much preferred "out of the office" activities. I thoroughly enjoy programming, and make time to hack when I'm not in the office, but I also like to do things that have nothing to do with computers, or the people I work with. So...these perks have always been lost on me, and like you, I see them as a "perk" at least partially designed to keep you in the office more. That said, if this works for other people, by all means, have fun with it.