These days, many office employees work from home, libraries, and coffee shops, lunching on homemade sandwiches or café pastries. There are, however, businesses that require their workers to come into the office once a week or more. And some companies are calling workers back to the office on a full-time basis. Hence, the office lunch continues.
Pinkies up in the air are not necessary but, for the sake of etiquette, there are a few guidelines for lunching at work with your colleagues.
Lunching in the presence of your co-workers is not much different than attending a meeting: people are still observing you and expecting fundamental human interactions. Don’t give them any reasons to think less of you. So, let’s cover some of the basics.
Bringing and storing food
The first rule for bringing food to work? You guessed it…no stinky smells. Fish, seafood, and heavy spices are the worst and certain cultural dishes can have a pungent odor, especially when reheating. The second rule is to clearly mark your container(s) with your name. The overall principle is “aim for neutral options in shared spaces.” (Hint: This also applies to bodily sounds.)
Tidiness is key
Whether it’s the work kitchen or the refrigerator, tidiness is essential. Don’t contribute to the kitchen drama by hogging space, leaving food so long it has to be thrown out, eating someone’s food, or not putting things (e.g. ketchup, coffee, utensils, etc.) back where they belong. Treat the space as if it were your own home. Better to be seen as “self-righteous” than “guilty.”
Meetings
Unless it is a designated working lunch, meetings are for working, not for eating. Eating alone in a meeting is rude and awkward (even on Zoom)…and eating while a colleague makes a presentation is distracting and disrespectful.
Hosting
The occasional celebratory group lunch or snack is inevitable. When you are hosting, assume full responsibility for the role. Consider people’s allergies and dietary restrictions; bring disposable items to promote easy cleanup, be sure to set up everything before you start, and clean up the space afterwards.
Going Out?
If your company is re-instituting office days, an intentional lunch with a boss or co-worker is a good plan. Get to know them better over a meal to discuss your career or just to get better acquainted. Do it before others copy you and it becomes the status quo (again).
As I’ve said in previous columns, good etiquette comes down to one rule — being considerate of others. Considering the impact of your actions on those around you will keep you in the best etiquette mindset and maintain the honor and respect of your co-workers.
Jacqui Love Thornell is a native Miamian and retired corporate executive. With “help shape a better world” as her mantra, Thornell writes to tackle the awkward situations readers face in a world where technology, social media, gender definitions, and cultural lifestyle differences drive behavior. New-age etiquette strives to rise above the fray of rudeness, haters, and negativity to attain human encounters that are civil and thoughtful.