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.

I don't think there is anything wrong with it, and yes you should get away from your desk for a break. But I agree with others that you should maybe drive a little way away, and then it would be even more of a break!

I once had apart-time job at the local (fairly snooty - well, the membership fees were high) golf club; part of the "role" was to cover lunch for the other two women who worked there (all in one office), and had done for eons.

Come to 1pm, and they fetched a stinky meal from the Restuarant, and proceeded to lock the Oofice door. With me trapped inside!

(South-facing office, blinds closed, old building - and the reek of raw onions, or whatever else they added to their meal. I would leave feeling utterly sick.)

If I didn't go home straight away, I wouldsit on the staff room part of/alongside the Kitchen and Chef would make a jacket potato for me. If the Club Secretary passed by, she would loudly say,"Some people have no homes to go to!" without looking at me. This job lasted from December to February and that was a stretch.

Same happened at a Country Hotel; even though I was allowed to eat/food was prepared by the kitchen, and could do some revision in my down-time (reception), other staff had a major moan and I was then told I couldn't eat or read, in order to keep the bar staff happy.

So much for the "Hositality" industry.

I've seen plenty of people do it. I work in a hospital and we don't have much in the way of staff rooms and with social distancing restrictions on rooms, it's difficult. People often go for a crafty cigarette off-site or sit in cars. I've even seen people have a power nap in their cars on several occasions, sometimes in the boot with the back up. It's a bit odd when they are asleep in the driver's seat as it can look like they died and you have to see they are still breathing.

My colleague used to have a lunchtime nap in the car in full view, we all just smiled about it.

Reverse into the space, problem solved!

Can you ask your work to buy a bench/picnic tables to put outside or is there no greenery nearby?

Totally fine to do this, I know loads of people who do this and also plenty who nap for most of the hour, enjoy your own time.

I would do the same as you in your situation, just to have a bit of me time away from the office and interruption from colleagues, maybe try to park your car away from view if possible.
I’m fortunate in never having to make the decision on whether I had my lunch at my desk or in a communal area with colleagues, which I would hate to do anyway.
My reason has always been that I had to go home at lunchtime to take my dog/s out. I’ve never worked further away from home than a maximum of a 15 mins drive.

I bloody loved it when I was working somewhere 15 mins drive from home. Not only going home for lunch, which broke up the day a treat, but also being able to leave the house at 8.45 and be in work by 9, and leave at 5 and be home by 5.15.

Like others have said, I'd just drive away so people couldn't see me sat in my car.

I get it though, when working in the office I always had to get out to have a break - eating at my desk didn't give my brain a rest.

Lots of o poo Epple do that where I work. Maybe you could drive off somewhere a bit nicer for 5 mins, park up & eat, so that you’re ‘away’ from the office....then no one knows what you’re up to.

But no probs to go sit in car for an hour and eat lunch/listen to music/read/play in phone/snooze....

I used to go lie down and go to sleep in the car - after setting an alarm on my phone! Only way I could get through the afternoon as I suffered with chronic night time insomnia. I didn't care what anyone thought - it's not like you're hurting anyone! Enjoy the peace and quiet

Not weird I always left the office at lunchtime

A great idea. It gives you a break from the office which has to be good.

I used to do this! When I was at university I worked in retail part time in my uni city, and transferred stores over summer once. My new store was really cliquey and rude to newcomers (although I wasn’t new to the company or bad at my job) so I would spend lunch alone in my car!

Your lunchbreak is your time, not your employer's, you're not being paid for this break, so you can do pretty much as you please with your allocated break. If people don't like it, tough!

I always eat my lunch in my car. I am the only one at work who does it. I work in a nursery so need to escape the noisy little’angels’ for half hour to properly relax. I have also nailed napping for 20 minutes in car if I haven’t had a good nights sleep.

Can you reverse the car in so that you aren’t facing the windows?. You will feel less awkward.

@CombatBarbie

Reverse into the space?

That's what I would do too! 😀

@Gingerwhinger1

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.

Agree x

I'd just assume you wanted to do something, like make a call, read a book or listen to music.