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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Alone at lunchtime

87 replies

leftonmytodd · 15/08/2018 13:06

We have recently moved business premises and I am the only one in the office so can't go out for lunch and have no one to chat to (I'm a chatty person). There is another office next door (same owner, different company which I used to work for so know all the staff & I usually go there at lunchtime) where they are all sitting chatting for lunchtime - AIBU to think one of them could have popped in to see me for a chat/coffee/make sure I'm not dead?

OP posts:
Mummyoflittledragon · 15/08/2018 14:19

So why didn’t you call one of them to pick some food up for you?

I think you should get another job. Perhaps work on your pro activity first.

glitterelf · 15/08/2018 14:20

As they are aware that you are on your own and because you technically work for the same company I'd have expected a member of staff from next door to pop in and cover your lunch break. I think it's quite bizarre how many people wouldn't go and check in on someone if the norm is to see them at lunchtime. Are you ever expected to go in and cover them ?

NicknameMustbeBetween4and30Cha · 15/08/2018 14:24

I cannot imagine a world where I would be worried about a person in the business next door being by themselves for ONE DAY. Not even at home or anything, just in an office, where they are employed

This!

Sorry OP, your colleagues next door are not "inconsiderate twats", they're just under the mistaken impression that you're an adult.

mrsaxlerose · 15/08/2018 14:25

I work in an office of three. The other two take the same lunch, eat together, buy food and share between each other, have a good old gossip and even go walking in the summer. Im left on my own. I just take my ipad and download a tv show or movie or read a book while I eat lunch

If I go to the shop I don't bother asking if they want anything so get my own back in little ways. I know it feels lonely but take the time to chill x

Sweetpea55 · 15/08/2018 14:40

If you're always popping in their office at lunchtime they are probably expecting you so dont see the reason to bother coming into yours

Original poster
leftonmytodd · 15/08/2018 14:44

I'm not lonely or needy I'm just bored because I haven't seen or spoken to a soul since 8am this morning and I didn't call to ask one of them to go get me food because they all bring lunch in with them and the boss doesn't like anyone going out at lunchtime because as I said they're all expected to work through lunch and he'd have made a massive deal of it (we're all aware of the shitty work conditions and at least 85% of the staff are actively looking for new jobs). I'm lucky in that generally I have more freedom to leave the office as and when I please but that's probably only making the fact that I'm chained here today worse.

OP posts:
Drivemecrazy1974 · 15/08/2018 14:47

Blimey, you sound like a toddler who needs entertaining all of the time! You should have taken a book into read or something! Seriously, I can't believe how petulant you sound. Are you like this all of the time?!

PasstheStarmix · 15/08/2018 14:49

I don’t think anybody needs to supervise you a lunchtime, you’re an adult. I understand it can be lonely however but not everyone wants to be social at lunchtime. A lot of people like to have peace and quiet and switch off and eat and read a book or whatever. I think the best course of action would be to pop through on your lunch when they’re having theirs and say ‘it’s ant lonely through there’ and ask if you can have lunch with them. Then at end say if anybody wants to pop through to have lunch with me any day just drop in.

PasstheStarmix · 15/08/2018 14:49

at*

PasstheStarmix · 15/08/2018 14:49

abit *

Anonymumm · 15/08/2018 14:56

Sorry but this is just a case of boredom and FOMO Fear Of Missing Out.

I'm quite sure your boss wouldn't be happy you going next door and chatting, you're at work for goodness sake.

He's maybe setting you a task to see how proactive you are, there MUST be something that can be done or needs doing in that office, have you asked him if there is any work to do?

I can't see how everything falls to s**t when you're not there if you're sat moaning about being bored and complaining about having to be there til 6pm.

viques · 15/08/2018 15:02

OP, you really are showing yourself up as a person with no inner resources aren't you? Think of all those political prisoners in solitary confinement for years and years, people with locked in syndrome who are fully aware but can't communicate, elderly disabled people who live on their own and don't see another human being for days on end, lighthouse keepers, (sorry!) . I think you can cope for one day, just don't keel over with a mysterious illness........

It is one day out of your life, I think you will survive, the lunch thing sucks , can you order a pizza or something? At least it will teach you to carry round your own entertainment, food and emergency puzzle books from now on.

Original poster
leftonmytodd · 15/08/2018 15:02

@Drivemecrazy1974 RTFT if I'd known I was going to be stuck here on my own all day I'd have brought a book but I didn't know until I'd already arrived & don't think my boss would've appreciated me saying "I'm just going to nip drive a 1.5hr round trip home & pick up a book"

@Anonymumm I'm only in this office because the phone line has been transferred over earlier than expected the only thing for me to do is answer the phone if it rings - my boss is aware of that - if there had been more staff available they would be in & out moving things from our old premises to our new ones & I'd be organising that & arranging things at this end but that's had to be put on hold for the day.

OP posts:
MoodyMumOfOne · 15/08/2018 15:03

This is a very odd thread but it's kept me amused for about 45 seconds ConfusedGrin

ShinyMe · 15/08/2018 15:05

I do not understand how anyone can be bored when they have the internet and a brain at their disposal.

StopItAndTidyUpNow · 15/08/2018 15:07

i don't really understand people that don't like being on their own!
I work in an all male office - me and another woman are the only females there. I like to use my lunchtime to catch up on news, do some online shopping etc but the woman in my building gets really arsey if i don't sit with her at lunchtime!
Like actually cries because shes "lonely" she's not a kid shes in her 40's! She also likes to have lunch much later than me so if i suggest an earlier time due to meetings etc i get sighs and huffs.

FFS

RebelRogue · 15/08/2018 15:08

I think it depends if it's actually two sister companies that are small (which i assume it is,since people calling in means you're on your own) where you all know each other,have lunch together anyways, nip in and out and are actually friends etc. In that case it would be nice for someone to actually notice your absence or at least remember " Oh @leftonmytodd is on her own I'll go check up on her". It's completely different to a multinational level company .

TBH I find it absurd having to be in in case the phone might ring. You'd probably be more productive in the other place actually doing some work. Unless your boss expects you to move everything by yourself?

wafflyversatile · 15/08/2018 15:10

Why not just text or phone someone in the other office saying God I'm bored. Come and talk to meeeeee.

Or you could have texted to ask one of them to fetch you a sandwich when they were out then you could have had a chat when they brought it.

Original poster
leftonmytodd · 15/08/2018 15:11

@viques I've done everything I can possibly do today & I'm bored now! Unfortunately I work on an industrial estate in a town with little lunch options as it is & no delivery services or believe me I'd have had food delivered long before now 🙈

Will definitely be bringing the iPad tomorrow!

@ShinyMe the internet even on my phone is patchy at best so keeps dropping out (I have tried piggy backing on next doors WiFi but signal isn't strong enough)

OP posts:
Original poster
leftonmytodd · 15/08/2018 15:16

@RebelRogue it's like you know my boss Grin but yes my company is exactly as you describe!

Yes I'd be more productive in the other office considering that the part time woman is off & suggested getting a portable phone that I could take with me but was shot down Confused

OP posts:
PasstheStarmix · 15/08/2018 15:17

I’d love a job like that, it sounds very relaxing and therapeutic.

Drivemecrazy1974 · 15/08/2018 15:17

Apologies if I missed the minor detail of you not bringing a book - my bad. However, that still doesn't change the fact that you're acting like a bratty toddler who has to be entertained ALL the time.
You seem to think that the people in the other office should just KNOW that you need entertaining!
You're a grown up - there must be something you can do to alleviate the boredom.
Personally, I'd be more concerned with the fact that there doesn't seem to be enough work to keep you occupied all day.....

Original poster
leftonmytodd · 15/08/2018 15:20

@Drivemecrazy1974 there is no work in this office as yet it is all at the old premises where there are other staff working I'm only here to answer the phone if it rings - which it hasn't so far today!

OP posts:
ReservoirDogs · 15/08/2018 15:23

Talking of phones why haven't you phoned next door and asked one of them to join you for lunch today? As suggested and ignored above!

Original poster
leftonmytodd · 15/08/2018 15:33

Because I figured someone would pop in over lunchtime at some point... I didn't expect someone to come sit with me for the entire lunch break because I know that due to the crappy attitude of our boss that wouldn't be possible maybe just a quick chat to break up the day knowing that I'm a chatty person & stuck here on my own.

But I stand by my original assessment that they're just inconsiderate twats & when I see them later on the way to the car park & speak to them about it they'll agree with me & admit they just didn't think Grin

OP posts:
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