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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think people should have breakfast BEFORE work?

433 replies

candybeek · 27/10/2016 07:07

If you work a normal daily shift like 9-5 office hours, then I feel it's really odd people come in to work and immediately start pouring milk on their cornflakes or dashing to the canteen for a greasy fry up.
I'm in the minority at my work place that have breakfast at home before work.
I understand it if you work shifts etc but 9-5??

I find it really odd, what's next - people using the kitchen to cook their tea before they leave for work?

It's even worse as they bring their smelly breakfasts back to their desk so I have to inhale it all.

Am I on my own in this thought?

OP posts:
GinIsIn · 27/10/2016 08:59

My company are lovely, and provide free breakfast every morning - it's actively encouraged that we take a bit of time to get a cup of tea and something to eat when we get in. An army marches on its stomach and we all work very hard so what harm does it do? As PPs have said, I have a long commute and an early start - I can't face food that early.

pregnantat50 · 27/10/2016 08:59

right, now then, breakfast time...be back in 10 :)

MTWTFSS · 27/10/2016 09:00

YABU! If I eat before 9AM I vomit!

KinkyAfro · 27/10/2016 09:00

I leave the house at 6 to get to work at 8, no way am I eating at that time in the morning. I have breakfast at my desk at around 9, no one here has an issue with it, not sure why it bothers you

notarehearsal · 27/10/2016 09:01

I'm willing to get slated here but I actually hate being in a room with anyone eating ( I think this has a name) When recently working in an office for the second time ever it actually made me feel quite sick when people would start getting porridge pot things out and chomping away at 9am. Then it was non stop chomping, nuts, fruit, biscuits all bloody day.
I know I was fortunate to live nearby so ate at home and have worked from home for years so had no idea people did this.
When I last worked in an office environment some twelve years ago it just didn't happen. People had breakfast at home I assume and popped out for a sandwich at lunchtime. There was the occasional sort of cake affair if it was someones Birthday but apart from that people didn't constantly eat at work. What with that and the carrying around of coffees everywhere maybe it is just a way of showing just how busy busy busy they are.......

Bitofacow · 27/10/2016 09:01

If I have to listen to you eat before 9:00 I want to vomit.

elodie2000 · 27/10/2016 09:03

Today 08:58 Queenbean Elodie why do you think I'm not doing my job because I'm eating toast at the same time?
I'm sure you can Queenbean! I am just thinking that I could still teach a class whilst eating a bacon sandwich.
Not appropriate though really. What are breaks for?

foursillybeans · 27/10/2016 09:03

I think it's unpleasant if they are eating at their desks. I think if you need to eat breakfast it should be done in the staff room, kitchen, break room, etc. It's not just the smell (and porridge has a smell btw) but the act of eating around people who are working. But there is no problem with people doing it in the appropriate place.

Bitofacow · 27/10/2016 09:03

"No one has asn issue with it"

Or perhaps they are too polite to say, "you make a noise when you eat, stop it, it's revolting."

Basicbrown · 27/10/2016 09:04

Not really, I have a 'teacher's desk and a job to do. Office workers have a desk and a ummm... Job to do*

Er, no. Yours is not a desk job, mine is.

If you really are a teacher that is worrying tbh that you have such little understanding of the workplace as a whole.

ThirdTimeLuck · 27/10/2016 09:04

I don't think it's the breakfast that bothers you, it's the people in your office who have no manners. YABU for thinking everyone should have breakfast at home but YANBU for not wanting people slopping food all over the place, chewing loudly and leaving their plates sitting there. Also, breakfast as such wouldn't bother me but the smell of greasy fried breakfasts and eggs would turn my stomach, I can't stomach food like that first thing on a morning so it would annoy me too.

Queenbean · 27/10/2016 09:05

Elodie that's not appropriate FOR YOU but for me it doesn't make any difference

Why do you care so much about people's habits in other industries?

As I said before, pros and cons to every job

myownprivateidaho · 27/10/2016 09:05

Thinking about it, I bill for my time and certainly do not bill for time spent buying or eating lunch, even when I eat at my desk.

29redshoes · 27/10/2016 09:06

I'm clearly in the minority but this annoys me too OP. Particularly when it's cereal or porridge, there's just something about the sound of the bowl and the cutlery which sets my teeth on edge. I'd never say anything though because I think I'm being a bit unreasonable but it does irritate me.

I used to work near to a really noisy breakfast eater and I would schedule meetings at the same time on purpose so I wouldn't have to be there and hear it Blush.

And people who wander off to the canteen for half an hour when they're supposed to be working are obviously taking the piss, although I think they'd be pulled up on that in my office.

Pluto30 · 27/10/2016 09:07

My boss makes toast every morning at work. Doesn't bother me at all as it's just toast and the smell is nice.

It bothers me to no end when others make bloody toasties at lunch which stink because of the George Foreman grip that smells like 3 year old festering chops. That smell lingers in the office forever.

I eat breakfast before work though. I'd have a hunger headache if I waited until I got to work!

MegEmski · 27/10/2016 09:08

Everything scribble said!

"Yeah, I have breakfast at my desk every day and I don't have an excuse like small child or medical requirements - I just prefer to breakfast around 9.

However, I'm bloody good at my job and I get the work done. I'm employed to do a job, not to sit at a desk for an allotted time period."

Yes to all. We are treated like grown ups where we work. No one times whether I spend 10 mins eating breakfast then do I take exactly 10 mins off my lunch etc.

NoahVale · 27/10/2016 09:09

i am about to have breakfast now, unusually late, because I am at home, with a day off Grin

Bitofacow · 27/10/2016 09:11

Everyone reading this has perfect table manners.

No one on this thread would clunk, slurp and slop their way through breakfast, oh no. Not on MN.

That's other people.

MyGiddyUncle · 27/10/2016 09:11

I am just thinking that I could still teach a class whilst eating a bacon sandwich. Not appropriate though really

Of course that would be inappropriate Hmm Just like it would be for a solicitor or Dr to be eating at an appointment, or for the person serving you in Tesco to be eating a sandwich, or for the plumber that turns up to your house to be mid-chew.

Can you really not understand the difference between customer facing roles and non-customer facing roles?

elodie2000 · 27/10/2016 09:11

Basic:If you really are a teacher that is worrying tbh that you have such little understanding of the workplace as a whole.
Yes, a real live teacher. Wouldn't think about stuffing my face at my desk even when the DC are not in the room.
Why can't office workers wait for breaks/ lunch? I have little understanding of that, yes!

AnnaT45 · 27/10/2016 09:13

I think you'll find most office jobs don't have breaks!

Bitofacow · 27/10/2016 09:13

Elodie, they can't wait because they want to make me miserable.

Queenbean · 27/10/2016 09:13

why can't office workers wait for breaks/ lunch?

Why should we have to? Confused

elodie2000 · 27/10/2016 09:14

Can you really not understand the difference between customer facing roles and non-customer facing roles?
Of course. I don't get why people don't use their coffee breaks & lunch break to eat. Surely that's what they're for?

NoelHeadbands · 27/10/2016 09:14

Who would care what time I have my breaks?!

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