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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:
Mill3nnial · 24/09/2024 20:33

Just read it's only one person!

Yes provide lunch in that case

mondayawoos · 24/09/2024 20:32

Annielou67 · 24/09/2024 20:22

If you have the time and inclination what about a cheese and meat board with fruits and pickles. 3 cheeses, a pack of mixed salami, prosciutto etc. maybe some pate or smoked fish, olives, hummus, tomato/ grapes/figs. Fruit cheese, a nice chutney. Posh crackers and a baguette.

Yeah, maybe read the thread.. 😂

Mill3nnial · 24/09/2024 20:31

Who is the meeting for?

If colleagues you could just invite everyone to bring a packed lunch.

If it's someone you're trying to impress such as clients then I'd provide something.

I find it hard to decide as the idea of having a work meeting at someone's house is alien to me.

Vettrianofan · 24/09/2024 20:30

FEED ME.

CoastalCalm · 24/09/2024 20:29

I’d just pop to Lidl and buy cheese , continental meats some pickles and salad and a big bag of assorted rolls and let people make their own sandwich

LlynTegid · 24/09/2024 20:28

Does the meeting really need to be three hours would be my first thought.

Belladone · 24/09/2024 20:25

I’m also thinking sandwiches, make sure you get some vegetarian options, I wouldn’t worry about gluten free with the sandwiches but maybe cover the possibility with some frittata or something.

howabout a cheese board/ crackers / grapes ?

Original poster
amidsummernightsdream · 24/09/2024 20:25

To those horrified at soup, i wasnt planning on offering soup, i was responding to pp who suggested it.
I agree it feels odd (although I can't quite put my finger on why!)
Anyway, the soup was for my tea and i'll be saving it for lunches later in the week you'll be glad to hear

OP posts:
Moveoverdarlin · 24/09/2024 20:24

I’d do tea / coffee and biscuits at 10.30am. Then at midday I’d serve sandwiches / crisps / grapes. In one job I had I often whizzed to Sainsbury’s last minute because someone had a meeting over lunch. They do platters of sandwiches but failing that I’d buy their Taste the difference sandwiches and wraps (one per person) cut in to triangles, plonk on a nice plate, big bag of Kettle crisps, some grapes, some nice bottles of still and sparkling mineral water.

Then maybe some cake and coffee.

MayaPinion · 24/09/2024 20:23

I’d go get 3 or 4 meal deals - egg, tuna, ham, and a vegan one. 4 identical packs of crisps, 4 cans of nice drinks - San Pelligrino or something. Buy a pack of muffins and a few apples and satsumas for the morning. As an aside, I used to work for a group of execs who would judge the quality of a meeting by the quality of the food. If you want to make these people feel a bit special get the good stuff.

Annielou67 · 24/09/2024 20:22

If you have the time and inclination what about a cheese and meat board with fruits and pickles. 3 cheeses, a pack of mixed salami, prosciutto etc. maybe some pate or smoked fish, olives, hummus, tomato/ grapes/figs. Fruit cheese, a nice chutney. Posh crackers and a baguette.

Original poster
amidsummernightsdream · 24/09/2024 20:20

It's only 1 person.
I'm happy to go with shop bought sandwiches, crisps and cake.
I know i could make sandwiches but I really just want to focus on the job in hand and not be buttering bread while making polite conversation.

It's not too far to nip after the nursery drop off.

I just needed to get my head into gear with a plan, which you've all helped with, thank you!

OP posts:
DryBiscuit · 24/09/2024 20:19

Dont offer soup - Thats just weird

DryBiscuit · 24/09/2024 20:17

I would personally offer drinks (hot and water) and fruit on arrival

Then Supermarket Sandwiches and a multi pack of crisps / multi pack of chocolate at about 12/ 12.30 with bottles of water

NetZeroZealot · 24/09/2024 20:16

Outofthere · 24/09/2024 19:10

In the past I’ve done a big Greek salad, humus, tapenade and onion and garlic dips, pittas in the toaster and sliced, falafel, breadsticks, posh snacks, cake bites. Possibly cheaper than shop bought sandwiches?

That is way OTT for a business meeting.
unless your business is catering.

LiquoriceAllsorts2 · 24/09/2024 20:16

You should offer lunch but don’t make it. Can you order in sandwiches?
otherwise from the shop just buy some sandwiches, bags of crisps, chocolate bars, biscuits etc. Maybe also get in some cans of pop/bottles of water etc so you only need to bother with making tea or coffee

NetZeroZealot · 24/09/2024 20:13

Depends how many people.
If it’s only 2 I just offer to make a sandwich with stuff I’ve got in the fridge.
Any more than that and I’d buy in a sandwich platter.
Ive been to lunchtime meetings in very posh offices in Mayfair where no food was offered other than biscuits so I wouldn’t sweat it too much.
i also had another client who regularly held lunchtime meetings and we brought our own food in.

StridingIn · 24/09/2024 20:09

I would need lunch by then!! So for that reason alone I would be getting food in.

ImNotReallyHere · 24/09/2024 20:06

I would. My husband regularly has meetings like that. He nips to M&S and buys ham, salami, cold meats, coleslaw, cheese and baguettes. Zero prep needed. Once when he’d broken his leg, he did warn people that he couldn’t provide lunch but people were flagging after a few hours so one colleague nipped out and bought a selection of Tesco meal deals. Is that an option?

Outofthere · 24/09/2024 20:05

Nanny0gg · 24/09/2024 19:59

Has the OP got time for all that?

Show quote history

Less than 10 mins morning prep, 5 minutes toaster?

ImNunTheWiser · 24/09/2024 20:04

Soup? Jesus, no! Might as well give them a huge unpeeled orange for pudding.

Do they usually provide lunch for you if you're at their location. If you met in a neutral location, would you usually stump up for lunch for them? If no to these, then no need to provide lunch just because the location is your office. Suggest you either go somewhere local together or if nowhere suitable, suggest everyone can order their own food in. Or bring their own. Provide water, amd possibly tea/coffee at a stretch.

Doggymummar · 24/09/2024 20:03

I would provide a mid morning break, coffee and pastries but not lunch. My lunchtime is 2 till 2.30 and I have to walk the dog.

MagneticSquirrel · 24/09/2024 20:03

Deliveroo / UberEATS would deliver sandwiches, crisps and cakes tomorrow lunchtime. No stress!

But yeah I can’t concentrate beyond midday usually as I get up so early - I’d be lost if I had to wait until 1:30 and then get my own lunch!

halava · 24/09/2024 20:00

harrumphh · 24/09/2024 19:58

Do you know their dietary requirements and allergies?

There's always someone who's a gluten free vegan, someone who is aghast at fruit, someone who will keel over if there's a sausage in their presence.

Show quote history

People like that (and there are two in my immediate family) cannot expect everything to be catered at short notice just to suit them. If our two thought they'd need a feed they'd have something with them just in case!

PortiasBiscuit · 24/09/2024 20:00

Greggs