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.

It does look odd, but I know how you feel. I once worked in a small town where the local picnic place was a quick 5 minute drive and I used to just drive there and sit and have my lunch.

I really needed the half hour space or whatever away from work.

I used to do this. There was no where but your desk it eat at the atmosphere was horrid. People too scared to talk anyway. Everyone did it.

Could you maybe ask a colleague if they fancy say Friday lunch at the pub. Great way to still be seen as social but also get time away from your work.

Quite a few people do this at my work, sit in their cars for a bit of quiet time, make a phone call, have a fag. It’s all normal

Can you sit in your boot? Not as weird as it sounds. I have an X1 and you can sit really easily in the boot with the door above you. I park like this near the sea or wherever and sit in the boot with my dog. Dangling your legs over or cross legged inside.

It's a good idea to physically remove yourself from the building when you are at lunch. Otherwise, there will always be that phonecall or a colleague who just wants a moment of your time...

I was once told off by a boss for reading a magazine at my desk during my lunch break. She was really annoyed with me, even though I told her that it wasn't my normal lunch hour because I'd been stuck dealing with a long-winded helpdesk query, and that she knew I started work early and left late every day. After that, I thought fuck you, never again will this company get a single second of my free time. She was a bitch anyway, and I walked out not long after.

I would eat my lunch at my desk quickly (not sure what's yuck about that I had anti bac wipes) and would go for a walk around the block after. Not an exciting walk but I don't like to just sit.

I think it would look a little bit odd and I would feel self conscious doing it myself, but I understand your reasons. I think I would try to park up somewhere more scenic, or go for a little walk for a break instead.

Not odd at all. I'd be too self conscious so would probably drive round the corner first though

I would go drive somewhere out of view .. even 2 mins away! And then just feast & Tik Tok in peace :)

If i had ro stay there I'd reverse into the spot

I think it's sad, but not as sad as eating at your desk!
I thought all workplaces were required to provide a place to eat away from your desk.

@CandyLeBonBon

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

Definitely! In one of my jobs we worked Flexi hours, so we'd work our hours so we only had to do core hours every other Friday & have a hotel breakfast, Max lunch break (liquid lunch) & finish an hour later & go back to the pub!!!! The alternate Friday we'd do the same except for breakfast.

Those were the days!!

I would turn your car around so they can't see you! I couldn't bear to sit and eat it and know people could see me if they looked out of the window. And I often go and eat my lunch in my car at work, I say something like 'I'm just going to get my lunch and chat to my friend/mum/sister' so it doesn't seem so weird.

@Gwenhwyfar

I think it's sad, but not as sad as eating at your desk! I thought all workplaces were required to provide a place to eat away from your desk.

Where I last worked it was a choice between the canteen and a small kitchen with table and chairs where you got no peace anyway because people were always in and out. Ironically you were better off in this regard if you smoked - smokers could always go and sit in the smoking shelter.

I used to do this when I worked in an office where I was still expected to answer queries - including phone call ones - when i was eating! There's nothing worse than someone asking you a mundane work related question when you've just taken a mouth full of food. They didn't actually like me taking my full break and sitting in my car, I could tell. They never said anything though, and I still asked my colleagues questions when they were on their break

In previous jobs I did this and didn't give a toss what people thought. I've just started a new job with no parking onsite and so I have to park a good walk away. I only get 20 minutes so I don't have time to walk to my car and back with any time to spare so I eat at my desk like everyone else and I hate it.

"Ironically you were better off in this regard if you smoked - smokers could always go and sit in the smoking shelter."

yes, I worked somewhere with a nice smoking area too. Fortunately it was outside so I could go there too without being totally surrounded by smoke.
I agree with those people saying go for a walk, but it depends on the weather of course.

Also the area. Sometimes it's just streets and concrete and not even a bench.

Not at all.

As long as you take no more time than anyone else for lunch, YADNBU.

Crank up the mood music, read a book and eat and drink away.

There are even lap trays for steering wheels.

Smile and wave at anyone you see looking down at you. Fuck 'em

@ThisIsStartingToBoreMe

I used to do this when I worked in an office where I was still expected to answer queries - including phone call ones - when i was eating! There's nothing worse than someone asking you a mundane work related question when you've just taken a mouth full of food. They didn't actually like me taking my full break and sitting in my car, I could tell. They never said anything though, and I still asked my colleagues questions when they were on their break

Yes was like this at my last workplace. If you were in the room you were expected to cover the phones whether or not you were eating. We weren’t allowed voicemail.

My last workplace was similar. You were "allowed" a lunch break but still expected to be available. If I was in the office alone that day I'd always try and find somewhere else to have lunch. At another place where I would be alone in the office I'd lock the door and turn the light off.

@MoreAloneTime

Also the area. Sometimes it's just streets and concrete and not even a bench.

There'll be a wall to sit on somewhere. One of my colleagues tried to tell me that I shouldn't be sitting on a bench in the area where we worked because it was a dangerous area. I pointed out that I lived in the same area...

Not weird at all, I used to do it a lot! Can you switch your car around so that you're not looking into the office window (and so they can't watch you?) x

Thanks all! Seems I’m not that unreasonable then!

Maybe a bit of a drip feed, but there is actually a kind of staff room however nobody uses it. I think because it’s dark and dreary and right next to a thin-doored toilet ().

Also regarding the car, it’s a tiny car park and office so I’m literally parking side by the side to the window of the building and basically parking next to desks. I can see my dash board and everything that’s in my car from my desk haha.

Still, I’ll carry on doing it. Need time away from the desk and can’t cope without a break

I find it not odd but now I’m working on trading estate seems common. In fact I’ve done it but I drive away to literally get away and have a walk too, don’t give up your break