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Original poster

New job - already fed up with unhealthy ‘working lunches‘

613 replies

AliceSeal · 13/05/2025 18:25

I’ve been in my new job since February and in the main really enjoy it. However, we have monthly ‘planning meetings’ which so far are always scheduled to run through lunch (usually 11-3) and the bosses arrange for a lunch to be provided. Last month, it was a job lot of Greggs ‘beige’ - sausage rolls etc, and today it was stacks of dominoes which everyone could pile in to.

I haven’t said anything so far as I don’t want to appear ungrateful, and the majority of my colleagues seemed ecstatic with these choices, but as someone who is quite big on health and fitness, this is really irritating. We get a 5-10
minute break from this at most which isn’t enough time for me to do much more than go to the loo (big office with microwave facilities downstairs and always a queue over lunch).

Would you ask to get a longer break so I can have my own lunch? I’m just conscious this will delay the meeting for everyone else so very wary of asking.

OP posts:
Megifer · 13/05/2025 19:42

Booo MNHQ!!!

Dinosweetpea · 13/05/2025 19:42

AliceSeal · 13/05/2025 19:31

Blimey, I knew MN’ers disliked successful women, but I underestimated the pure vitriol being slim and successful would result in!

Whatever happened to women supporting women? Xx

Noone has a problem with you being slim or successful, they have a problem with your judgememtal and derogatory comments about your colleagues and their dress sizes. How dare they "let themselves go"

DwayneTheRockJohnson · 13/05/2025 19:42

I’d be less annoyed about the food and more annoyed about the fact it’s taking my lunchtime away. Aside from that, could you take an insulated lunch box to keep your food at the right temperature?

letsgojo · 13/05/2025 19:42

I wish there were reactions on here, would laugh at so many of these funny comebacks! 🤣🤣🤣

ChocolateCinderToffee · 13/05/2025 19:41

ilovesooty · 13/05/2025 19:40

In that case I'd expect you to have a bit of initiative.

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No point, if you just want to make a fuss.

MNHQ
LilyMumsnet · 13/05/2025 19:41

<dusts sausage roll crumbs off keyboard>

Hi OP,

On behalf of us resident porkers, let us take a heathy, brisk walk... to the door.

OP has now been banned, as we doubt very much that they were posting with the best of intentions.

MrsBennetsPoorNerves · 13/05/2025 19:41

Honestly, OP, get some help.

Over40Overdating · 13/05/2025 19:41

And yes everyone is DEFINITELY extremely jealous of you because you are slim and successful. That’s why they are being mean. The podgy pizza eating bastards.

Absolutely nothing at all to do with your personality. Hun x

Azandme · 13/05/2025 19:41

hangingonfordearlife1 · 13/05/2025 19:38

Funnily enough so am I. Not sure our company owners have even heard of greggs. Us senior managers would have catering brought in for working lunches. Doesn’t really seem high end corporate to be given a few pizzas

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Well quite.

I'm senior public sector where money is notoriously tight - and we have catering brought in.

I've never known anyone on "six figures" meekly sit by because they're new either. That's not what they're paid for.

Gothamcity · 13/05/2025 19:40

Why can't you just take a pre prepared salad, and eat that with (god forbid) a small slice of a veggie pizza/baked goods, which really won't be that horrendous for you. Once a month, come on, it's hardly like they're force feeding you lard everyday on your lunch break. I worked at a pizza restaurant for my entire 20s and not an exaggeration, I LIVED off pizza for breakfast lunch and dinner... I'm a size 8 if that matters! Free food, was essential when I was saving for a house deposit. We were allowed pizza pretty much on tap day and night, so pizza it was.

ilovesooty · 13/05/2025 19:40

AliceSeal · 13/05/2025 19:13

I’m in a six figure management role for a very recognisable company, thanks for your concern though hun x

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In that case I'd expect you to have a bit of initiative.

Whisperings · 13/05/2025 19:40

@AliceSeal can you not have a cold packed lunch that day? Regardless of if you particularly like cold lunches it's once per month and better than nothing right?
OR take a food thermos?

Uricon2 · 13/05/2025 19:39

Also, I thought companies like this did lovely cheeseboard and fruit plates for meetings? Only know because my brother says so and he's on well over the OP's (alleged) salary.

Greggs and Dominoes seem a bit...unlikely.

Hercisback1 · 13/05/2025 19:39

Where's your support for the beige loving fat women out there?

Seriously, you have a 6 figure role yet can't work out a way round this....

Megifer · 13/05/2025 19:39

StarStay · 13/05/2025 19:35

This can't be real 😂

Its not but fuck it, im pretending it is 😂😂

ZepherinDrouhin · 13/05/2025 19:39

AliceSeal · 13/05/2025 18:33

No, mostly middle aged and a mixed of genders believe it or not. Respectfully, the average size is probably 14/16+!

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And another fat shaming comment

Over40Overdating · 13/05/2025 19:39

The horror of size 14/16 colleagues eating pizzas and sausage rolls!

I’d be on to your union. You can’t be expected to work like that.
Or bring a cold lunch from home. Or plan your meals around the day structure so you aren’t forced to eat the dreaded junk.

You should definitely tell them the set up that’s been in place longer than you have been there and clearly works for the majority of your colleagues needs to change so you can get your macros on point.

They likely won’t understand it, the macro dodging lard arses, but you are totally rational and not at all being awkward for the sake of it.

Out of curiosity, when your colleagues eat do they stuff, scarf, shove and pig out when it comes to food? Intolerable.

Disturbia81 · 13/05/2025 19:38

Who the fuck grows out of pizza and sausage rolls!? Infact any food to be honest.

hangingonfordearlife1 · 13/05/2025 19:38

AliceSeal · 13/05/2025 19:13

I’m in a six figure management role for a very recognisable company, thanks for your concern though hun x

Show quote history

Funnily enough so am I. Not sure our company owners have even heard of greggs. Us senior managers would have catering brought in for working lunches. Doesn’t really seem high end corporate to be given a few pizzas

ZepherinDrouhin · 13/05/2025 19:38

AliceSeal · 13/05/2025 18:57

Not at all, I like my colleagues, regardless of whether some are a bit on the podgier side!

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@AliceSeal

Here is one of your fat shaming comments.

Jaggy1 · 13/05/2025 19:37

I love it when I come across a successful woman, would applaud anyone for taking care of themselve.

You, however, are judgemental, rude, delusional and honestly rather dim for not being able to work it out yourself.

Thats why people dislike you here.

Hope you’ve got all the entertainment out this post that you so clearly wanted.

Azandme · 13/05/2025 19:37

AliceSeal · 13/05/2025 19:31

Blimey, I knew MN’ers disliked successful women, but I underestimated the pure vitriol being slim and successful would result in!

Whatever happened to women supporting women? Xx

Oh op, it's nothing to do with you being slim and (allegedly) successful...

It's because you're a twat.

HTH.

luckylavender · 13/05/2025 19:37

AliceSeal · 13/05/2025 19:31

Blimey, I knew MN’ers disliked successful women, but I underestimated the pure vitriol being slim and successful would result in!

Whatever happened to women supporting women? Xx

We can only judge you on what you've written. You don't sound very supportive.

sweetsandsour · 13/05/2025 19:37

AliceSeal · 13/05/2025 19:31

Blimey, I knew MN’ers disliked successful women, but I underestimated the pure vitriol being slim and successful would result in!

Whatever happened to women supporting women? Xx

We were all wondering the same OP with your pizza eating /fat shaming/even my colleagues prefer larger ladies vitriol.
Slim means nothing other than being slim. 6 figure salary doesn’t define success.

You’ve dug yourself into a hole though luckily for you it’s only a small one as you’re so tiny.

MrsBennetsPoorNerves · 13/05/2025 19:37

AliceSeal · 13/05/2025 19:31

Blimey, I knew MN’ers disliked successful women, but I underestimated the pure vitriol being slim and successful would result in!

Whatever happened to women supporting women? Xx

It isn't the fact that you're slim or successful that people are reacting against.