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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To eat soup at my desk with a metal spoon and a pottery bowl?

186 replies

LovelyJudy · 21/03/2011 20:44

I work part time and often prefer to have a quick lunch break at my desk while doing some personal admin/surfing. I usually have salad but sometimes if i have soup or something that needs heating up I put it in a bowl and eat it with a metal spoon/fork as appropriate.

Today a colleague of mine came over and very politely said that he found it intensely annoying to hear people eating in the office, as it makes him feel as though he's working in a restaurant, so wondered whether it was reasonable to ask me to either use plastic cutlery/dishes, or eat hot food elsewhere.

I don't know - is he over sensitive? I'm inclined to stop doing it, because even if he's irrational i don't want him sitting there feeling annoyed. Also i know it's healthier to get up and go and eat elsewhere. but i don't always have time....

OP posts:
LittleMissHissyFit · 23/03/2011 01:10

OP: I find a sweet smile and the words 'Get a life or perhaps Ear plugs' may come in handy.

Thank CHRIST I don't work in offices anymore, I just wouldn't have the patience for all that BS anymore.

BetamaxBandit · 23/03/2011 01:19

I used to drink a mug of tea on my way into university (walking). I got some strange looks it must be said. No one would blink if it was a Starbucks take out though.

SpringchickenGoldBrass · 23/03/2011 01:25

Many years ago when I worked in an open plan office we used to have Honking Contests over who could bring in the most appalling lunch.

I tended to favour rollmops.

stubbornhubby · 23/03/2011 08:58

people shouldn't eat hot food at their desks - smelly.

melikalikimaka · 23/03/2011 09:01

Nothing wrong with this, we do this every day, as long as you don't spill it on the keyboard, no problem.

I would go over the desk once a week with anti bacterial wipes just to make sure nothing is growing on it!

Tell him to sod off!

kerrymumbles · 23/03/2011 09:20

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

LittleBoxes · 23/03/2011 09:22

I'm just jealous of all these you people who get time to go and have some lunch elsewhere - I eat hot food at my desk because I very rarely take a lunch break (too bloody busy!). We all do it.

LittleBoxes · 23/03/2011 09:22

Erm, I mean all you people, not all these you people.

LittleBoxes · 23/03/2011 09:23

x post kerrymumbles

amyamyamy · 23/03/2011 09:37

A friend of mine had a desk next to a woman suffering from an eating disorder. This woman spent 8 hours a day intermittently taking the same single chocolate biscuit out of her drawer and LICKING it three times whilst steadily starving herself to near death. (Actually I feel sorry for them both). So it's not just WHAT you eat but HOW you eat it that can annoy others: drink your soup from a mug instead of using a chinking metal spoon.

OTOH some people are unreasonably sensitive: I once had a trainee work for me who asked if it was okay if she used her keyboard as her last supervisor had been annoyed by the sound of keystrokes and she was only allowed to type when he left the room!!

JessicaDrew · 23/03/2011 09:41

ok ok maybe use a plastic spoon
but move on to smoked haddock curry soupGrin
i have worked in an office where there was a sign asking people not to eat too smelly food!

Ciske · 23/03/2011 09:47

Considering he asked you very politely and it's clearly an issue for him, I would compromise and stop doing it, or use plastic spoons as you already suggested.

There is no reason to turn it into an office war like some people on this thread suggest, especially if your colleague isn't out for one and just wants this minor issue resolved.

HipHopopotomus · 23/03/2011 09:58

I've had to eat at my desk in most jobs I've had unless I wanted to leave the building, go to cafe etc.

Never really had a problem apart from once, when I shared an office with my assistant - he was truly the most awful, noisy open mouth, dribbly, sniffy, food everywhere, disgusting eater I have ever encountered. It was fucking awful and caused a huge amount of tension not to mention made me feel sick. Of course I had to speak with him about it and he just thought I was mad & didn't change his behaviour one bit. Mind you he couldn't even drink tea without slurping, sniffing and spilling it everywhere - goodness knows what his home was like. Eventually the level of bed feeling got so high I had him moved out of my office.

MooMooFarm · 23/03/2011 10:01

I would eat a quick sandwich or biscuit at my desk if pushed but not a bowl of soup. I'm just imagining all the slurping and scraping round to get the last bits and I would find that annoying too - sorry. Why can you not just use a plastic spoon?

It's not good for you to sit in front of your screen without a break all day anyway. If he really wants to be a PITA he could complain about it to HR and would actually have a point (health & safety wise, anyway).

ThePippy · 23/03/2011 10:24

I think if there was no canteen/rest facility (as in my office) then I would say eating at your desk is essential not just acceptable, but I would definitely try to be understanding of other people's feelings when it comes to strong smells, which hot foods tend to create more than cold.

However, as you mention there is a canteen I think it is perfectly reasonable for people to ask you to use that instead of eating at your desk.

MadameOvary · 23/03/2011 12:00

Oh God people smacking their lips and slurping next to me - cant stand it. I worked in a small office where the woman next to me would do this - I'd have to go to the file room and invent some tasks till she'd finished.
And then there was the Facilities Manager who cleared his throat every five minutes HEM-HEM. He could also be seen unzipping his flies on the way to the loo - niiiiice.

thinkingkindly · 23/03/2011 12:04

It is unprofessional to eat hot food at your desk. Lots of people do it, but it is weird. Used to work for someone who would heat up shepherd's pie and vegetables etc and then eat at her desk with knife and fork. It's just plain weird.

sherbetpips · 23/03/2011 12:33

It isnt really up to you or home. If the HR policy is that desk eating is allowed then you have the right to do so.
The sound of people eating also turns my tummy a bit (I have a colleague who will happily munch an apple in a meeting whilst talking with bits flying out of his mouth - gross) however we work in a busy office and dont always have time to go out to eat lunch.
Check with HR if their is a policy or guidance on this matter, he doesnt need to be involved.

sherbetpips · 23/03/2011 12:37

MadameOvary - throat clearing AAGGGHHH - my MIL is living with us at the moment, the first hour of the day is dedicated to throat clearing, my DH then feels the need to join in with a bit of hawking involved - AAAGGHHH

MadameOvary · 23/03/2011 12:41

Sherbet - my DP also snorts rather than blow his nose.
I take your AAAGGHHH and raise you FUCKING STOP IT.

lucjam · 23/03/2011 12:54

Just eating a yoghurt, having just polished off a ww ready meal. No one here cares, we all eat at our desks. It's not unusual on a monday for several people to be eating re-heated Sunday lunches, yorkshire pudding an all!!

Scholes34 · 23/03/2011 13:48

Got my own office. Got a staff canteen providing a free three course meal every day. Can take soup or sandwiches back to the office, but it feels totally unprofessional if people call in and catch you whilst you're eating and not pleasant if food smells hang in the air. We're not paid during our lunch break, and anyone "working through" and eating isn't really working. Take a break - if only for 10 or 15 minutes - and go elsewhere.

Rebeccaruby · 23/03/2011 13:57

I work in a small office where we don't have a separate room for eating. Well, we can use the meeting room, but we don't bother. I don't eat hot food but other people do, and I don't mind. I take the point other posters have made about it being healthy to take a break from your desk, but I would rather do some work and leave on the dot of five than stay late. Also, sometimes I use my lunchbreak to stay at my computer and do an online Tesco shop, which frees up my spare time at home.

OP, I think your colleague is being rather sensitive!

Scholes34 · 23/03/2011 14:12

So, are you working, Rebeccaruby, or just sitting at your desk giving the impression of working so you can leave at 5 on the dot when you're sometimes eating or doing a Tesco shop?

ninani · 23/03/2011 15:46

People can be so selfish! They expect you to eat junk food just because they can't bear the smell!

And I am a person who gets REALLY ANGRY (although I have never complained) when I hear people making noises when they eat (or sleep). But after I had my children I try to be more understanding. This is MUMSNET after all isn't it??

I actually try to feel happy thinking "oh, this poor creature has had a busy day and is now enjoying some food!". People, tell others: "ENJOY YOUR FOOD" and give them a smile :) .. I have observed my husband saying nice things to people who is more civilised and understadning than I am.

Soup?? I am rushing to the kitchen for some right now!!

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