To sit in my car where people can see me on lunch?

[Ribrabrob]

There’s not really much around near to where I work and nobody seems to take their lunch break, usually just eating at at their desk (yuk).

I have to get away or otherwise I can’t concentrate so I sit in my car. My car can be seen from the office (it’s literally just outside the window) and I guess I just feel a bit weird sitting in my car eating knowing that I can be seen.

Nobody’s ever said anything to my face but aibu to think I do look a bit strange? Is it normal to eat in cars? I want to eat and watch cat Tiktok videos at lunch, I don’t want to be disturbed hence I don’t stay at the desk.

I suppose I just feel self conscious because nobody else I work with does it and it’s a fairly small team and office.

When you don't have a space to eat away from your desk it's a case of needs must. To me a lunch break when you're expected to answer the phone and deal with colleague queries isn't a lunch break, it's just eating while working.

Just because someone can see you it doesn't mean they are looking at you or watching you. Surely if they are working they shouldn't be gazing out the window

When you don't have a space to eat away from your desk it's a case of needs must. To me a lunch break when you're expected to answer the phone and deal with colleague queries isn't a lunch break, it's just eating while working.

Is there not a small park/garden space/park bench anywhere in walking distance?

I'd go for a short walk and then sit in the car, feels less obvious than going straight out there and means you get a bit of fresh air.

I'd go for a short walk and then sit in the car, feels less obvious than going straight out there and means you get a bit of fresh air.

I'd think it was normal. If I drove I'd do it. Sometimes you need your break to be in your own space and without people chattering at you. Maybe that makes me antisocial but I need to decompress.

Is there not a small park/garden space/park bench anywhere in walking distance?

@MoreAloneTime

When you don't have a space to eat away from your desk it's a case of needs must. To me a lunch break when you're expected to answer the phone and deal with colleague queries isn't a lunch break, it's just eating while working.

Yep!

I've had to do this as I don't want people interrupting me but I'd move my car.

Someone who I work with sits in the school car park on a camping chair next to her car and eats her lunch

I'd go for a short walk and then sit in the car, feels less obvious than going straight out there and means you get a bit of fresh air.

@CandyLeBonBon

Ahhh I miss the days where lunchtimes were spent down the pub!

God me too

I used to sit in my car every lunch without fail for two years at my previous job. The boring and mundane obligatory lunch chat in the office staff room just wasn't for me. People knew and started to label me as antisocial but I didn't care and they soon stopped caring. Do what you want! I could listen to the radio as loud as I want, eat how and what I wanted and watch what I like without having people interrupt me or start useless chat. It was my one hour a day to myself which I cherished considering how stressful and full on my job was.

I don't think there is anything strange or wrong with what you do. Good you are getting a break and some peace.

Enjoy!

When i did this i would drive out of work and park up nearby

When i did this i would drive out of work and park up nearby

I used to do this.
When it was too hot for the car I even sat on the bit of grass at the edge of the car park space. Better to be out in the fresh air than sat in the stuffy office.

WherebI kast worked qe couldnt eat at our desks and had a grim break room. One guy always spent lunctime in his car with the radio on (not near the office space) and I suspect he was smoking in there as well.

I also objected to having to tell my boss kf we went off site. I had worked for the organisation for years in several different locations and only this one place did you have to say you were going out!

I’ve always done this, my colleagues think it’s weird and I don’t care

Just reverse into the park and then nonone will see you sitting in the drivers seat.

I hate speaking to people on my lunch. Yanbu.

Its far less intrusive, noticable or weird than playing your bagpipes in the carpark every lunch break (side eyes Janet from Accounts).

Is there not really somewhere you can go away from the office. There is always the possibility that someone who cannot manage their time or lacks basic courtesy will come and disturb you with something allegedly 'urgent'.