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AIBU?

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Original poster

To not offer lunch?

181 replies

amidsummernightsdream · 24/09/2024 18:36

I'm self employed in a consulting type role. I usually hold meetings at clients' offices.
Tomorrow, due to logistics, im holding a 3 hour meeting at my house, starting at 10.30.
(However could potentially run a little longer)

Would I be unressonable to not offer lunch?
I feel like I would be but I've left it last min and I cant think what!

If I did, it would need minimal to no prep and something that we could eat while working.

Can I get away with just tea and cake?

OP posts:
Original poster
amidsummernightsdream · 25/09/2024 18:22

@NetZeroZealot i did a dash to m&s for sanwiches, crisps and biscuits

After all that she wasnt hungry and didnt take me up on lunch!

OP posts:
caringcarer · 25/09/2024 18:14

Buy a few pastries and serve coffee.

greengreyblue · 25/09/2024 18:01

RampantIvy · 25/09/2024 10:23

You don't get it do you @greengreyblue

Just because you can go all day without food doesn't mean everyone else can.

Given that the meeting is with a client it would be a bad idea not to offer something to eat over what is considered a normal lunchtime period. The client can feel free to refuse.

Who said they had to go all day? They can have breakfast and then lunch at 1.30. Calm down.

NetZeroZealot · 25/09/2024 17:51

So what happened today OP?

RampantIvy · 25/09/2024 10:23

You don't get it do you @greengreyblue

Just because you can go all day without food doesn't mean everyone else can.

Given that the meeting is with a client it would be a bad idea not to offer something to eat over what is considered a normal lunchtime period. The client can feel free to refuse.

greengreyblue · 25/09/2024 07:59

Yes hospitality is tea/ coffee and maybe some pastries etc but it’s lunchtime between 12-3 generally in most places.
I would have stated lunch provided and organised some sandwich platters but some people are so OTT about not being able to concentrate of lunch is a bit later than usual. Some people go all day without food in this world!

Doris86 · 25/09/2024 07:50

greengreyblue · 25/09/2024 06:54

All these grown adults ( without health conditions) that can’t stretch until 1.30 for lunch!! Wth? Like grumpy toddlers.

These are important clients of the OP who she relies on to make a living. Offering a bit of hospitality is simply good business sense.

Blondeshavemorefun · 25/09/2024 07:23

Sure they are worth £2.99 - £3.99 for a meal deal

Hopefully a good client who will earn you lots

What did you decide to do op?

cuckooooooo · 25/09/2024 07:17

greengreyblue · 25/09/2024 06:54

All these grown adults ( without health conditions) that can’t stretch until 1.30 for lunch!! Wth? Like grumpy toddlers.

Most people eat before or around then and it would be seen as lazy and tight not to provide for a paying client/guest.

RampantIvy · 25/09/2024 07:03

greengreyblue · 25/09/2024 06:54

All these grown adults ( without health conditions) that can’t stretch until 1.30 for lunch!! Wth? Like grumpy toddlers.

Yep. When I am very hungry I stop concentrating and would want to rush the meeting to the end so I could get some food. I am the same if I am very cold.

If I didn't want to provide lunch I would start and finish the meeting earlier.

greengreyblue · 25/09/2024 06:54

All these grown adults ( without health conditions) that can’t stretch until 1.30 for lunch!! Wth? Like grumpy toddlers.

LovedFedAndNoonesDead · 25/09/2024 05:01

Easipeelerie · 24/09/2024 21:05

Some of the responses on this thread are butt clenchingly twee.

And make assumptions about what is available - great if you’re a big city like London or Birmingham; not so much if you’re in a provincial town with limited resources available!!

We are in a town of around 6,000 people but not got a Subway, Costco, Deliveroo, supermarket selling sandwich platters or the like (don’t they usually need 72+ hours advance ordering for them to prepare?) Anyway, round here it would be petrol station or the only supermarket individual sandwich meal deals and hope that people weren’t picky eaters!! I’d happily have the soup - so long as it was boring veggie without celery or highly spiced - but would turn down sandwiches as I avoid bread/wraps.

IamtheDevilsAvocado · 25/09/2024 04:35

Easipeelerie · 24/09/2024 21:05

Some of the responses on this thread are butt clenchingly twee.

Yup....

Missing the point... But it is only ONE person!

Also Im a fan of caitlyn Moran school of thought...

'would this be a problem for a man'? (of not it's pure sexism...

Men would either chuck money at it (M&S platter /pub... Or get someone else to do it...

Like hell would they be advised to whip up salads!! 😁

LiquoriceAllsorts2 · 25/09/2024 04:29

Mum2jenny · 24/09/2024 20:48

You could get the sandwiches tonight as they can have a reasonable expiry. It’ll save you time tomorrow.

Not everyone can easily pop out in the evening- shops may be closed/ children asleep in bed etc

Strawberriesand · 24/09/2024 23:09

I would actually do like a coffee/tea break 1 hour in with some scones and tray bakes from M&S.

CloseCalm · 24/09/2024 23:03

Go on the app and order a selection of Greggs sandwiches …not stylish but easy to do.

Went to London for a project, and one of the Directors, went out at lunch time and bought us all M&S sandwiches and crisps.

Sadly it all weighed a lot, ( he had a bit of a walk to get it ) so he didn’t buy us drinks too, so we made do with the tea and coffee machine all day.

Not the delicious lunch we’d hoped for, but much appreciated by all.

Annielou67 · 24/09/2024 22:52

mondayawoos · 24/09/2024 20:32

Yeah, maybe read the thread.. 😂

Show quote history

Ha. I see what you mean. I was thinking clients and just being able to go into a shop, buy it, put it on a plate and be done. It really depends on how important the clients are I suppose.

Blondeshavemorefun · 24/09/2024 22:51

So just for two of you

Don't need a platter of 20 sandwiches

3 meal deals of different sarnies and cut all into 4 from each pack

Maybe cheese , ham and a chicken /tuna

Bluemonkey2029 · 24/09/2024 22:44

If you do go for a selection of things as suggested by some people, don't put them all on one plate or else if anyone has an allergy to one thing you risk them no longer being able to eat any of it.

Bluemonkey2029 · 24/09/2024 22:42

Just message in the morning saying 'grabbing sandwiches for later, any preference'. I can't eat normal bread and I would feel super awkward if you'd bought sandwiches specially for me and I couldn't eat them. Alternatively just a bowl of fruit and some biscuits is fine (if someone can't eat the biscuits they can hopefully eat the fruit).

AdoraBell · 24/09/2024 22:41

As suggested, sandwiches and crisps/biscuits with tea/coffee

RampantIvy · 24/09/2024 22:39

I love the assumption that the OP lives somewhere where there are loads of food delivery options or plentiful sandwich shops.

cuckooooooo · 24/09/2024 22:37

SmallSoupcon · 24/09/2024 18:48

Why don't you say "I thought we could Deliveroo some lunch" then it takes the pressure off you and means you don't have to pay for it all yourself either.

Would make the op look like a total cheap skate in front of her client

LuckyCrow · 24/09/2024 22:36

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines - previously banned poster.

PollyMolly3 · 24/09/2024 22:35

If self-emp, you could put the receipt in to claim it as an expense?
is money or time the issue here?