Office food at a new job

So far there are four viable choices:
1. Become vegetarian
2. Become celiac
3. Get fat
4. Quit the rat race and get back his old job at the roller rink

buhahaha.

From a management perspective, I would have much more respect for someone who discreetly brought their own lunch and didn't make a big deal out of it, than for someone who doesn't want to eat what everyone else is eating because it is unhealthy, but eats it anyway to fit in. The latter doesn't engender a great deal of confidence in his ability to lead or to make tough decisions.

If anyone asks, he can explain simply that he brought his own lunch but still wanted to enjoy their company.

With coworkers, I think I'd kind of ease into it by bringing something from home plus having a serving of something communal. I could always say something like "I didn't want it to go to waist" if somebody said something about me pulling out my own {whatever}. If it seemed to offend, of course I'd just go with the flow; a good job can be hard to find.

For client lunches of course I'd go with the flow.

Fixed it for you.

My thought is that if they're having Popeye's; own lunch should be fine. If it's truly catered and formal with a client, make wise choices from what's being served. Also, it's entirely appropriate for him to ask his HR contact or the person who hired him what protocol is and how to know which days a packed lunch is ok and which days it isn't. HR people should absolutely be able to help him navigate this issue successfully, and will likely appreciate the fact that he is savvy enough to know that there are etiquette norms, and humble enough realize he's still learning what they are in his new environment. The worst mistake a person can make at a new job is assuming and not clarifying.

Yeah. What to eat for lunch is definitely an HR issue. "Today in new employee orientation we'll be discussing the 401K package as well as what days you need to eat chicken and what days you are allowed to eat what mommy packed for you."

Whatever we do let's not encourage people to learn for themselves how to function in the grownup world.

Asking questions IS how you learn, and I'd rather ask a dumb question to the person who hired me and whom I already have had contact with than make a faux pas in front of the CEO! It's fine that you disagree with me, but I'm not sure what you're suggesting... How is not asking going to teach him anything? If this is his first "grown-up" job, his hiring contact is aware of this and would likely not mind helping him be successful. Seeking out advice from experienced individuals is wisdom, not weakness.

Yeah. I guess your right. Most companies have a formal written policy about when you eat what someone else brings and when you get to eat your PB&J.

This is obviously not a "policy" question, but an office etiquette question. When you get your first grownup job, you'll understand why he would benefit from more information beyond "formal written policy".

Yeah. I guess your right. Most companies have a formal written policy about when you eat what someone else brings and when you get to eat your PB&J.

This is obviously not a "policy" question, but an office etiquette question. When you get your first grownup job, you'll understand why he would benefit from more information beyond "formal written policy".

Yeah. Maybe he could ask HR on which side of his desk he should put the picture of his mom also.

It seems that you are anti-question-asking; however, you are also displaying antagonism that would not be accepted at a higher-level position, which would very much be an HR issue. You keep trying to paint seeking advice as immature, but when you start dragging someone's mom into the conversation, it's reminiscent of junior high. Do you have a point, are you just trying to make fun?

Obviously, it's a judgment call on his part.

The people who are all "Whatevah, whatevah, I do what I want" may or may not have worked in an office culture where the right decision in a situation like this can help or hurt your acceptance.

Having worked in a department with the reputation of eating its young, I say eat the damn Popeye's fried chicken and make some friends while you're at it. Once he has endeared himself to the rest of the staff, he can make a more informed decision about how/if bringing his own lunch will alienate himself.

... Do you have a point, are you just trying to make fun?

What's this "or" business?

Grammar error, and continued antagonism suggesting immaturity, noted. If you pull out "I know you are, but what am I", you will absolutely make my day. Have a good one!

I know you are but what am I.

You're welcome.

That wasn't a grammar error, I was materializing the implied "or" in the quoted part of your post.



Okay then. My point. HR is not there to tell you how to play nice in the informal stuff that goes on in the office. Part of being successful in a grownup job is learning to navigate situations involving informal culture and etiquette and figure them out on your own. There's nothing wrong with asking a co-worker or just watching to see what other people do and learning from that but having to go ask the HR department or some other authority in the company for guidance on whether we should call the boss Mr. Jenkins or Stan or whether we should take the stairs or the elevator shows a lack of grownupness and a lack of ability to handle a grownup job in the real world. Benefits, timekeeping, grievance procedures, dress code, these are things that could be HR questions. What should I eat and when can I use the potty are things that successful people have figured out without having to resort to official channels. People who advance in grownup jobs don't need their hands held through every decision to be made in their career.


Not only that but: I'm rubber, you're glue etc.

From a management perspective, I would have much more respect for someone who discreetly brought their own lunch and didn't make a big deal out of it, than for someone who doesn't want to eat what everyone else is eating because it is unhealthy, but eats it anyway to fit in. The latter doesn't engender a great deal of confidence in his ability to lead or to make tough decisions.

If anyone asks, he can explain simply that he brought his own lunch but still wanted to enjoy their company.

Yeah but in the workplace one must not only impress the management but be able to get along amongst his peers. It's hard to get on with the group while turning your nose up at what they all think is good enough for them.

I like how it's his "grownup job". That's just adorable. And it's so nice of you to go asking questions for him on how he should conduct himself around the "grownups". Do you go on fashion sites and ask how he should tie his tie. Or if he should go with wingtips or cap-toes?

Having grownup jobs usually calls for making grownup decisions.

How patronising.

I would seek an opinion on a dilemma on behalf of my husband too!

... Do you have a point, are you just trying to make fun?

What's this "or" business?

Grammar error, and continued antagonism suggesting immaturity, noted. If you pull out "I know you are, but what am I", you will absolutely make my day. Have a good one!

I know you are but what am I.

You're welcome.

That wasn't a grammar error, I was materializing the implied "or" in the quoted part of your post.



Okay then. My point. HR is not there to tell you how to play nice in the informal stuff that goes on in the office. Part of being successful in a grownup job is learning to navigate situations involving informal culture and etiquette and figure them out on your own. There's nothing wrong with asking a co-worker or just watching to see what other people do and learning from that but having to go ask the HR department or some other authority in the company for guidance on whether we should call the boss Mr. Jenkins or Stan or whether we should take the stairs or the elevator shows a lack of grownupness and a lack of ability to handle a grownup job in the real world. Benefits, timekeeping, grievance procedures, dress code, these are things that could be HR questions. What should I eat and when can I use the potty are things that successful people have figured out without having to resort to official channels. People who advance in grownup jobs don't need their hands held through every decision to be made in their career.


Not only that but: I'm rubber, you're glue etc.

I think I'm in love.
Would bang, date, marry

I like how it's his "grownup job". That's just adorable. And it's so nice of you to go asking questions for him on how he should conduct himself around the "grownups". Do you go on fashion sites and ask how he should tie his tie. Or if he should go with wingtips or cap-toes?

Having grownup jobs usually calls for making grownup decisions.

How patronising.

I would seek an opinion on a dilemma on behalf of my husband too!

First of all, it's her boyfriend. Second of all, that doesn't really matter because he is not her child. I would be pissed as hell if my husband had asked a bunch of internet strangers a question on my behalf and then began to instruct me in their opinions on how I should act in my "first real grownup job" and I know that he would feel the same way.

... Do you have a point, are you just trying to make fun?

What's this "or" business?

Grammar error, and continued antagonism suggesting immaturity, noted. If you pull out "I know you are, but what am I", you will absolutely make my day. Have a good one!

I know you are but what am I.

You're welcome.

That wasn't a grammar error, I was materializing the implied "or" in the quoted part of your post.



Okay then. My point. HR is not there to tell you how to play nice in the informal stuff that goes on in the office. Part of being successful in a grownup job is learning to navigate situations involving informal culture and etiquette and figure them out on your own. There's nothing wrong with asking a co-worker or just watching to see what other people do and learning from that but having to go ask the HR department or some other authority in the company for guidance on whether we should call the boss Mr. Jenkins or Stan or whether we should take the stairs or the elevator shows a lack of grownupness and a lack of ability to handle a grownup job in the real world. Benefits, timekeeping, grievance procedures, dress code, these are things that could be HR questions. What should I eat and when can I use the potty are things that successful people have figured out without having to resort to official channels. People who advance in grownup jobs don't need their hands held through every decision to be made in their career.


Not only that but: I'm rubber, you're glue etc.

You forgot "infinity!"

I know you did but .....wait. what?

We have an executive chef here and it's part of the 'office culture' to eat breakfast and lunch at work. When I first started, our chef fixed high calorie foods plus desserts in addition to the meals. Our new chef listened to several requests and it turned out that most people preferred healthier options. So, now we have salads, broiled chicken and fresh fruit versus beef stroganoffs and heavy casseroles.

I understand the peer pressure, especially when it comes from the top. Our CEO is big on the office lunch being our informal networking group. However, I found no problem with taking in my own lunch and regulating my portion sizes. People really don't comment on it and I keep protein shake powder in my desk just in case I really can't stomach the lunch and need to have something to get me through the day. As long as I'm present and contributing to the conversation, what I put into my mouth doesn't matter as much as what comes out of it.

There are simple solutions to everything.

We have an executive chef here and it's part of the 'office culture' to eat breakfast and lunch at work. When I first started, our chef fixed high calorie foods plus desserts in addition to the meals. Our new chef listened to several requests and it turned out that most people preferred healthier options. So, now we have salads, broiled chicken and fresh fruit versus beef stroganoffs and heavy casseroles.

I understand the peer pressure, especially when it comes from the top. Our CEO is big on the office lunch being our informal networking group. However, I found no problem with taking in my own lunch and regulating my portion sizes. People really don't comment on it and I keep protein shake powder in my desk just in case I really can't stomach the lunch and need to have something to get me through the day. As long as I'm present and contributing to the conversation, what I put into my mouth doesn't matter as much as what comes out of it.

There are simple solutions to everything.

Executive chef? Breakfast and lunch? Are you hiring?