To not offer lunch?

[amidsummernightsdream]

I'm self employed in a consulting type role. I usually hold meetings at clients' offices.
Tomorrow, due to logistics, im holding a 3 hour meeting at my house, starting at 10.30.
(However could potentially run a little longer)

Would I be unressonable to not offer lunch?
I feel like I would be but I've left it last min and I cant think what!

If I did, it would need minimal to no prep and something that we could eat while working.

Can I get away with just tea and cake?

Yes hospitality is tea/ coffee and maybe some pastries etc but it’s lunchtime between 12-3 generally in most places.
I would have stated lunch provided and organised some sandwich platters but some people are so OTT about not being able to concentrate of lunch is a bit later than usual. Some people go all day without food in this world!

You don't get it do you @greengreyblue

Just because you can go all day without food doesn't mean everyone else can.

Given that the meeting is with a client it would be a bad idea not to offer something to eat over what is considered a normal lunchtime period. The client can feel free to refuse.

So what happened today OP?

Who said they had to go all day? They can have breakfast and then lunch at 1.30. Calm down.

Buy a few pastries and serve coffee.

@NetZeroZealot i did a dash to m&s for sanwiches, crisps and biscuits

After all that she wasnt hungry and didnt take me up on lunch!

Definitely have food. Toasted sandwiches if you have a toaster, nice bread and soup, some cheese and crackers. Lots of nice biscuits for tea and coffee.

Give them a treat - they are your clients!

I dont think that you can ignore lunch time, especially if they are clients but if you would prefer not to provide sandwiches, at the very least, you could tell them at the start of the meeting that you will break for half an hour at 1 to give them time to stretch their legs, and where the nearest sandwich shop is. If you do it in a relaxed, matter of fact manner it will feel normal to them. If they are a high revenue client I'd take them out to lunch though!😃

Lol

Definitely a platter of sandwiches plus crisps, apples, coffee. Have you a local sandwich shop that would deliver?

People don't need to comment any longer, the op has already updated and lunchtime was today!

You sound so mean how hard it is it to put a plate with some nibles on you can also get those meal deal sandwiches and slice them in four to make a platter

Either way let people know your intentions. You could either ask everyone to bring a light lunch and say we’ll have a coffee and a working lunch (so no expectation on you to provide) or if you are going out to buy pre made sandwiches and or nibbles (let people know so they don’t all bring own lunch). So many people on healthy eating kicks, dieting, vegan, vegetarian, hate spicy food, love spicy food, coeliac, diabetic etc it might honestly be easier for people to come prepared with own food. By all means offer tea, coffee or iced water and a plate of biscuits on arrival.

You clearly don’t live in Yorkshire. I’ve been here for 20 odd years and ‘dinner time’ is ALWAYS midday on the dot! (Before I moved here lunchtime was anytime between midday and 2pm in my book)

That's interesting! I live in Yorkshire and it's common to have meetings 12-1 and most people seem to have lunch at 1 although I prefer 12 on the dot!

Oh really….it’s not the done thing at all where I am! I can remember someone mentioning something being ‘after dinner’ and once I’d ascertained they mean lunch…not in the evening I asked when time they’d be having lunch they looked at me like it must be my first day on earth! Midday is literally referred to as dinner time even out of the context of speaking about meals. Maybe it’s specific to the area I live in

Buy a meal deal type lunch for them and bill the client or give them half an hour break and tell them where the nearest cafe is. Bear this in mind for future meetings held at this time of day and ask the client.

People can’t cope without food until 1:30? I wouldn’t do lunch as I’d assume they’d go grab something after.

I would provide sandwiches unless you live near coffees shop/chip shop etc, and people have the adequate break to go to get food or deliver food in.

Yes perfect if you don't want them as a client

I have just done a training course 10-1.30 no snacks or lunch offered just tea/coffee. We were advised to bring to snacks if needed . So I don't think you need to provide any.

This!

Be aware that having an in person work meeting at home may invalidate your house insurance. Most policies will cover desk home working but nothing more than that.

I would buy a baguette and butter and slice it up, add a cheddar and a soft cheese, a packet of ham and cherry toms, some pickles and crisps, bottled water, job done. Cheaper than pre packed sandwiches and nicer. If you’re feeling generous add some biscuits or cakes and put the kettle on for tea!