Going out to lunch 2

[floattuber]

Based on some searching I've done here I know that I should be joining professional societies and such, but on a more local level I like to go out to lunch with coworkers to network. The wife on the other hand thinks it's a waste of money and to a certain extent I agree. I certainly don't want to go out every day, but rather at least once a week.

So my question to you is how often do you go out to lunch with your coworkers as opposed to bringing your lunch?

 

[moltenmetal]

Wow- so many of you people seem to be ALL business! Trying to figure out whether or not going out for lunch is of benefit to your work, as if the money and time you spend on a lunch out was some kind of financial investment- it's sad! Is it REALLY that calculated?

I go out for lunch with my co-workers, suppliers and customers too. It's all about having a little fun, de-stressing, and letting other people know that you're a human being. If they know you're a human being, they're less likely to treat you like a "resource" or a "salary" or a "boss" or a "vendor" etc. It has nothing whatsoever to do with work, but it provides benefits for my work too.

 

[Sideswiper]

I agree with Moltenmetal. Being seen outside of work, like going with people to lunch or playing in the company bowling league, helps people see me as a person instead of only a resource. Being a junior employee, this is a huge benefit. I go from being "that stupid new guy" to "that young engineer who just needs a little guidance".

My wife and I are very cheap people anyways, we can easily fit lunches and dinners into our budget.

 

[MadMango]

StructuralEIT,

My signature line is a quote from Steven K. Roberts.

http://microship.com/

"Art without engineering is dreaming; Engineering without art is calculating."

Have you read faq731-376 to make the best use of these Forums?

 

[JamesBarlow]

I go to the gym at lunch so unless someone wants a lunch that is "High in Iron", I usually lunch alone.

 

[waskillywabbit]

We have a small group that typically eats out everyday and do so because we enjoy getting away from the office and enjoy one anothers company. We have similar away from the office interests and family situations. I find it helps our working relationships at the office if we have personal relationships with one another away from it.

 

[ctopher]

Sort of off subject, but related to going out to lunch.

Just found out today from someone...
My manager and group are ALL in Wash state. I'm here in SoCal alone.
He took the whole group out to a nice steak restaurant yesterday for recognition for releasing our new version of CAD!
No word from any of them!!
No budget to fly me there or have me go out to lunch!

Time to look for a transfer....

Chris
SolidWorks/PDMWorks 08 3.1
AutoCAD 08
ctopher's home (updated Aug 5, 2008)
ctopher's blog
SolidWorks Legion

 

[plasgears]

General Groves [Manhattan Project] accused his engineers and scientists of wasting time sitting around and talking. That's how we get work done in some challenging environments.

 

[bridgebuster]

An engineering company that provides a catered lunch every day?

Our office holds training sessions at lunch time for things like safety, marketing, project management. They do it at at lunch time instead of during working hours so that they don't have to pay us but they do provide a modestlunch.

A one lunch there was a tray of cookies but the office manager made the delivery man take them back. She kept saying "Cookies are not company policy"

 

[HgTX]

"At one lunch there was a tray of cookies but the office manager made the delivery man take them back. She kept saying 'Cookies are not company policy'"

Holy crap. They're already there, just live with the happy surprise for everyone and be sure to clarify the order next time.

It amazes me how little so many managers understand about motivation and morale. No one's going to work extra-hard for a cookie, but showing that you're petty enough to take away the cookie, that's a demotivator.

My inner three-year-old is right now sobbing over my inner lost cookie. It had sprinkles on it. Rainbow sprinkles.

Hg

Eng-Tips policies: faq731-376

 

[cksh]

I used to go out everyday when I was first starting out. I guess it was more of a socializing thing for me back then. It didn't help that I made about 30k/year and spent 10 dollars a day on lunches though

There can be some benefit at least in regards to networking and truly getting to know your fellow coworkers. You don't have to be friends to go out to lunch and BS about work or just life in general. Who knows. 20 years from now that person might remember you and help you out if you need a job or vice versa.

Definitely agree that it helps to clear your head. What country is that where they used to go home and take a nap at lunch? (think a 100 or so years ago) Thats what I would like Some places I worked they do that now but it is in their car after they finish their 40

 

[KENAT]

cksh - go home and take a nap at lunch. That would be several Mediteranian countries and possibly their colonies. Some areas of these countries still do it, at least some of the stores shut for 2+ hours at lunch. Oh yeah, and the 'nap' wasn't always a nap, they may have gone to bed but not to sleep if you catch my drift, maybe that's just a rumor about the French though.

I think in the last year I've been out to lunch more with our CAD vendor than with any one group of colleagues, though my boss is always there.

At my last place in the UK we all brown bagged it most days and we'd sit around together and chat. Used to do that a bit at my current place but not so much now.

KENAT, probably the least qualified checker you'll ever meet...

 

[moltenmetal]

bridgebuster: we hold training sessions at lunch too, and we provide lunch. But it's not to get the training in "for free"- it's to make sure people show up rather than going to the pub instead! Especially the older ones who already know the material but can provide examples and lessons learned during the sessions etc. The sessions work way better at lunch than during work hours when people are skiving off to answer e-mails or take phonecalls etc.

Agree about the cookies, for sure. Though nobody will work 5% harder for 5% more pay, nothing motivates people to slack off and/or look for another job better than the feeling that they're being cheated out of, say, even 2% of their pay. Or that the company is too cheap to spring for cookies! If indeed this is true company policy rather than the actions of some misguided admin witch, it's an indication of how they TRULY value their employees...

 

[HgTX]

If it's a "misguided admin witch", she should be required to bring cookies for everyone the following week.

Hg

Eng-Tips policies: faq731-376

 

[bridgebuster]

moltenmetal:

There's nothing in the company policy about cookies but it's the company policy that we get paid for mandatory training. But hey, office politics; sometimes you got to bite the bullet - which is probably against one of our 20 gazillion safety policies.

 

[EngineerDave]

I need to stick to my guns and go to lunch alone to read and relax more often.

In one job, I worked out, it was a bit of a rush but it really does rejuvenate you for the afternoon. It's not really an option in this job at this point.

I carry a pager and could get paged at any time. Most of my co-workers don't leave the department for lunch very often. It almost becomes an issue of guilt. That and leaving the department has never become a habit because invariably two or 3 days a week I can't leave since I'm working during the lunch hours and trying to eat where I can and very quickly.

They revamped the library near where I work and it's a short walk. I want to start going there. I have to eat before I go there, so I'll start bringing a sandwich. It's incredible to go from a loud chaotic workplace to one in which it is quiet. When I've done this I stay until I feel what I call the "relaxation response", which is a feeling of some calmness before I head back to the grind! It normally takes at least 15 minutes and of course if I get paged I may never feel the calm feeling!

Already lamenting the fact I may not have time the next 3 days of the week.

 

[jmw]

Anytime you cannot make time for your legally entitled breaks then you are doing yourself no good.

If there is so much work that everyone has to work lunch times then the company needs to recruit more people.
If they won't do this then you have to decide what work you can do and what you cannot do or let management prioritise.
You really need to take your breaks whether you eat or go to the library.

Guilt?
Who should feel guilty?
You can bet that when push comes to shove the company won't award brownie points.

I always took my breaks. I may have worked later and then some more at home but breaks are important.

JMW

http://www.ViscoAnalyser.com