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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to sit in my car at lunchtime?

140 replies

cjt110 · 04/04/2017 09:42

I have changed my hours so that I now get 1 hour at lunch instead of 30 mins. In the previous 30 mins I would feel rushed to get my lunch and had no time to run errands hence why I changed my times.

Now, I find that I am done with my lunch after 30 mins and right now, craving time to myself, have found myself sitting in my car at lunch after I've eaten to avoid the lunchtime natter and just get some quiet time.

Is this a bit weird?

OP posts:
littleshirleybeans · 04/04/2017 10:17

I do this all the time. Only way I can get a peace and quiet. It's bliss!

allegretto · 04/04/2017 10:17

Ah ok. Don't do it though.Grin

gingina · 04/04/2017 10:18

Put your seat into fully reclining position and have a snooze. I do that often and wake up dribbling!!!

caoraich · 04/04/2017 10:18

I too used to do this. Had a job where as I pulled into the car park people would be queuing up to speak to me then they would want to "just grab you at lunch time" and so I took to announcing I was just popping to the shop for some food, then I'd drive round the corner and eat my packed lunch in peace Blush

HOWEVER I once got clocked and accused of being "antisocial"

I swapped my car with DPs van for the last 2 months of that job and sat in the back of it in the dark Blush

Original poster
cjt110 · 04/04/2017 10:20

gingina That would so be me!!!

So, straw poll:

Vote 1 for Sit in the car after having lunch in the office

OR

Vote 2 for around 40 mins at home in total isolation and peace....

OP posts:
ArriettyClock1 · 04/04/2017 10:23

Apart from the totally uneccessary pollution you'd be churning out, I think stationary idling is actually an offense.

Original poster
cjt110 · 04/04/2017 10:25

Thanks for that ArriettyClock1

OP posts:
Snowflakes1122 · 04/04/2017 10:26

Was in tescos last week at lunch time and happened to see loads of people sat in their cars eating lunch. Can't be unusual!

ShotsFired · 04/04/2017 10:28

I quite often sit in a supermarket car park after I have nipped in for a few bits at lunch. You can watch all kinds of people go by and nobody bothers you.

Occasionally pick up a free paper from the doors and reads that, or just have the radio on.

ShelaghTurner · 04/04/2017 10:29

Did this for years. Our car park was surrounded by high walls so very private. I'd listen to podcasts or books, read and eat my lunch in peace. When I was pregnant I'd put the driver seat back, set and alarm and have 45 mins nap. It was the best part of the day! And weirdly, being in my car felt like being at home.

Absintheshots · 04/04/2017 10:35

engine off!

Why would you want to be a nuisance for the neighborhood?
Otherwise, go for it. That's one of the perks to drive to work, you're stuck when you take the train or tube.

Friday999 · 04/04/2017 10:44

I need a little downtime during my lunch hour - and that means just myself for company. Although I seem to be in the minority at my workplace, everyone else seems to need a buddy to walk around with?

PovertyPain · 04/04/2017 10:46

A bloke I worked with used to go out to his tiny VW camper van, during lunch. 🚐 I was soooo jealous.

Starduke · 04/04/2017 10:48

Thank god I'm not the only one who likes to be antisocial at break times! and most other times

Sometimes I pretend to have a lunch appointment / urgent work or whatever just to have lunch by myself in the cantine

DaisyS91 · 04/04/2017 10:52

I sit in my classroom with the door shut during break. Nice to have some time without the kids and not talking about them either.

mortificado · 04/04/2017 10:54

I used to do this! I'd even take lunch my lunch to eat in the car some days if I didn't feel sociable!

Holland00 · 04/04/2017 10:54

I do this every lunch break, as do others.

mortificado · 04/04/2017 10:55

Oh and engine off, radio on. Or a good natter with a friend on the phone!

Sugarpiehoneyeye · 04/04/2017 10:55

It's definitely something I would do.
Your own little bubble 😄

SpookyPotato · 04/04/2017 11:11

Yes I would always do this, I worked in a call centre and had to talk for hours, lunchtime was my quiet sitting outside time.. bliss! There was several other people doing the same (but apart obviously Grin) I think it's more common than we think.. It bothers me that being sociable is always seen as the 'good' way in life. It is sometimes but we shouldn't always have to be switched on.

Original poster
cjt110 · 04/04/2017 11:13

I just crave being on my own. As a wife and Mum of a toddler, I feel I never get to just be I'm always responsible for/to someone.

And my colleague who sits next to me never fucking shuts up.

OP posts:
LilacSpatula · 04/04/2017 11:15

Ooh I'd go home if I could. Just don't start doing any housework!

theDudesmummy · 04/04/2017 11:16

In the days before I had my own private office at work I always did this. There was a culture in one place I worked where everyone ate together at one big table at lunchtime. That to me is utterly horrifying, I went out to my car every day. I was accused by a senior person of being antisocial too, but I could not do it the other way. To this day I only eat lunch in my office or my car, I will go without lunch if the only option is communal lunching.

EverythingEverywhere1234 · 04/04/2017 11:24

If I was only 10 mins from home, I would go home, no question. I used to be able to do that before I moved.
Now I take up residence in my car, which is cosy.

Original poster
cjt110 · 04/04/2017 11:29

Home feels very swaying - plus the journey to/from with no traffic, radio on.... but its going to cost double lol

OP posts:
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