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Going out to lunch
2

Going out to lunch

Going out to lunch

(OP)
Based on some searching I've done here I know that I should be joining professional societies and such, but on a more local level I like to go out to lunch with coworkers to network.  The wife on the other hand thinks it's a waste of money and to a certain extent I agree.  I certainly don't want to go out every day, but rather at least once a week.

So my question to you is how often do you go out to lunch with your coworkers as opposed to bringing your lunch?

RE: Going out to lunch

I go out for lunch every day.  I have to get out of the office, clear my head, etc, etc.  On occasion someone will ask to join me, I don't mind.  As an office, we try to go to lunch on Fridays as a group, but there is a core of 5 that always makes it.

But more than going out, each quarter we try to have a pot luck, where everyone brings something in for lunch.  I much prefer them to eating at a restaurant, since the company usually covers the poultry and meats.  Its a benefit of working in a small 35-person satellite office.

"Art without engineering is dreaming; Engineering without art is calculating."

Have you read FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies to make the best use of these Forums?

RE: Going out to lunch

We have a catered lunch at the office every day of every week.

RE: Going out to lunch

We have a contract catering company that uses company facilities to provide meals every day, plus buffets, etc for meetings.

However, the pub over the river is always a better bet for food and intra-comapny networking.  The beer's better too.

http://www.theredlionshoreham.co.uk/
 

- Steve

RE: Going out to lunch

At my last job, it was everyday.  We would typically expence it out amoung thoose of us who could.

Now, the wife stays at home with the new kids, and I go home everyday, and spend time with them.  Its all good when the kids are not screaming ;)

RE: Going out to lunch

The benefit of going to lunch with your colleagues is approximately zero.  You've heard everything they have to say about engineering during breaks in meetings.  You might care if their kids are playing soccer or rugby, but it isn't going to make you more effective.

On the other hand, going out with a vendor or competitor facing the same problems can be really useful.  Before I retired I made it a point to talk to a Facilities Engineer at a competitor at least once a week and we had a standing date for a lunch once a month.  We had really different approaches to basically the same set of problems and both were open to hearing other solutions.  This was done with full knowledge of our respective management.  Funny thing, after doing this for a few years the companies "merged" (but the name of my company stayed the same) and all of the sudden he was my boss--we almost never talked again because he was pretty confident that I was handling my business and he had other places to spend his energy.

Of course informal networking should be supplemented by finding a group of folks with similar problems (SPE did it for me, ASME and NACE really didn't) that have formal meetings.

David

RE: Going out to lunch

(OP)
zdas04 brings up a good point and one I was meaning to get at in my original post.  Do you see a benefit in going out to lunch with colleagues?  

From my last job, almost all of my linkin.com "colleagues" are the same people I went out to lunch with on a consistant basis.

RE: Going out to lunch

The company that I'm doing work for takes us out every Wednesday night for dinner and drinks and they pony up the quarters for the pool tables. It's a great way to get to know people on a more casual level and, in my opinion, makes working with them easier.
As for work lunches, if you really want to expand your network, take out vendors and/or clients. You may have to check to make sure it's not against any company policy though.  

Jeff Mirisola, CSWP, Certified DriveWorks AE
http://designsmarter.typepad.com/jeffs_blog

RE: Going out to lunch

I brown bag (well actually an ice chest thingy) it to save money & calories!  Plus I usually only take 1/2 hour to help get my hours in within 4 days instead of 5.  

We used to go out as a department about once a month but it's been a while now.  We have the odd potluck etc too, usually for the entire site.  The food's often quesionable (given what their desks look like I dread to think of their kitchens) at least once I've just brought my own lunch and sat down with them.

I have one colleague from another department that I go out to lunch with every few weeks.

I do bring in goodies for the table in the middle of my dept when my wife bakes though (didnt' want you to think I was completely anti social).

KENAT, probably the least qualified checker you'll ever meet...

RE: Going out to lunch

I don't go out to lunch. I figure a typical lunch is about $10 and if I do that 260 days a year, that's about $2600 that I could save for retirement or put cash into an emergency fund. (I assume that everyone on here that goes out to lunch has enough cash to pay for six months living expenses in case they are laid off?) I think the value of going out to eat for networking purposes is zero and personally I don't care for restaurants anyway.

Our company buys us lunch (cafeteria food) and that can be fun. I do go out to celebrate a special event, such as me quitting or a coworker quitting or a new hire. And I will go like once a month or so if asked. But never on a frequent basis.

Personally I think networking is overrated unless a guy is planning on quitting his/her job. The problem is the people you network with are probably in the same industry, and you'll most likely be out of work too due to an industry downtown. For example, a lot of the mortgage professionals get together to eat lunch frequently. Not sure that network is helping right now.

Going out to eat with vendors is nice if it's ok with your company ethics policy. It's really against the employee ethics policy but wasn't against the Harry S Stonecipher (former CEO) ethics policy so I do on ocassion. Usually I try to pay for my meal but that gets sticky.

If you do go out to lunch, though, try not to be clicky about it. I once worked with a group that was a big click and never invited a certain employee (me). That doesn't help anything out professional - but it can happen. I'd suggest not assuming that any one employee just doesn't like to go out. Even if they politely decline, they still probably appreciate the invite.

RE: Going out to lunch

heard everything they have to say about engineering during breaks in meetings.

I disagree - there are people on other floors of the building who I wouldn't hear from but maybe once per week if not for our lunches out.  It's at lunch that some of our best plans are hatched.
 

RE: Going out to lunch

I bring my lunch two days a week, the other three I work virtual from home.
My group and manager are out of state, so nobody to go out to lunch with anymore.

Chris
SolidWorks/PDMWorks 08 3.1
AutoCAD 06/08
ctopher's home (updated Jul 13, 2008)
ctopher's blog

RE: Going out to lunch

However, the pub over the river is always a better bet for food and intra-comapny networking.  The beer's better too.

http://www.theredlionshoreham.co.uk/

Nice to see the Red Lion is still going. I used to frequent the premises when I was at IAD - but only once a week!
 

RE: Going out to lunch

There's probably no benefit to lunching with co-workers for the sake of networking, unless you are in a very large company (+300 employees) and can meet with people from other disciplines.

"Art without engineering is dreaming; Engineering without art is calculating."

Have you read FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies to make the best use of these Forums?

RE: Going out to lunch

madmango-

I really like your tagline, where is it from?
I think it sounds better in reverse order, though.......
"Engineering without art is calculating; Art without engineering is dreaming".

RE: Going out to lunch

My boss is often "out to lunch".

cheers

RE: Going out to lunch

The Red Lion, is that the one on the little roundabout on the way down from the A27?
Looks worth a visit.
Ah, followed the link, it is and It looks better all the time:
*Mondays is Pie & Pint
*Tuesdays is Cheap'n'Cheerful Bangers & Mash or Fish & Chips
*Wednesday is Holy Cow with Rib Eye Steak or Curry
*Thursdays is Pasta & Wine nights
Monday looks good to me (and they don't have "quiz night", thanks).

I always get a bit wary of "organised" pub dos, especially where management is concerned.
Pretty soon attendance or non-attendance becomes an issue. If you happen to have commitments that mean you can rarely attend then you wonder just what brown-nosing has been going on at your expense when you're not there. If you are a regular attendee then others wonder about you.
Management makes its own judgements which can be adverse either way.

The occasional "generosity" by management is a good idea, and institutionalised affair is not.

Also, there is always a tendency for some people to relax too far and the exercise of restraint is not the point of going to a pub or a dinner.

Pubs and casual dinning can be excellent for peers to exchange ideas and at conferences much more constructive gets  achieved in the bar afterwards than around the table. But institutionalising such events soon establishes some sort of protocol which defeats the object.

JMW
www.ViscoAnalyser.com
 

RE: Going out to lunch

Our works is over the old wooden toll bridge from that pub and that bridge has been out of commission since February (refurbishment).  When we went over it for the first time in a while last week, the pub was still there and still in business.  Phew!

Monday evenings are good.

- Steve

RE: Going out to lunch

I work in sales, so going out for lunch is near requisite (co-workers, customers, consultants).
I often need it just to get out of the office and clear my head (as someone else mentioned)... I try and eat as healthy as possible though - really adds up if you're not careful.

RE: Going out to lunch

Wow- so many of you people seem to be ALL business!  Trying to figure out whether or not going out for lunch is of benefit to your work, as if the money and time you spend on a lunch out was some kind of financial investment- it's sad!  Is it REALLY that calculated?

I go out for lunch with my co-workers, suppliers and customers too.  It's all about having a little fun, de-stressing, and letting other people know that you're a human being.  If they know you're a human being, they're less likely to treat you like a "resource" or a "salary" or a "boss" or a "vendor" etc.  It has nothing whatsoever to do with work, but it provides benefits for my work too.

RE: Going out to lunch

I agree with Moltenmetal.  Being seen outside of work, like going with people to lunch or playing in the company bowling league, helps people see me as a person instead of only a resource.  Being a junior employee, this is a huge benefit.  I go from being "that stupid new guy" to "that young engineer who just needs a little guidance".

My wife and I are very cheap people anyways, we can easily fit lunches and dinners into our budget.

RE: Going out to lunch

I go to the gym at lunch so unless someone wants a lunch that is "High in Iron", I usually lunch alone.

RE: Going out to lunch

We have a small group that typically eats out everyday and do so because we enjoy getting away from the office and enjoy one anothers company.  We have similar away from the office interests and family situations.  I find it helps our working relationships at the office if we have personal relationships with one another away from it.

 

RE: Going out to lunch

Sort of off subject, but related to going out to lunch.

Just found out today from someone...
My manager and group are ALL in Wash state. I'm here in SoCal alone.
He took the whole group out to a nice steak restaurant yesterday for recognition for releasing our new version of CAD!
No word from any of them!!
No budget to fly me there or have me go out to lunch!

Time to look for a transfer....

Chris
SolidWorks/PDMWorks 08 3.1
AutoCAD 08
ctopher's home (updated Aug 5, 2008)
ctopher's blog
SolidWorks Legion

RE: Going out to lunch

General Groves [Manhattan Project] accused his engineers and scientists of wasting time sitting around and talking. That's how we get work done in some challenging environments.

RE: Going out to lunch

An engineering company that provides a catered lunch every day?

Our office holds training sessions at lunch time for things like safety, marketing, project management. They do it at at lunch time instead of during working hours so that they don't have to pay us but they do provide a modestlunch.

A one lunch there was a tray of cookies but the office manager made the delivery man take them back. She kept saying "Cookies are not company policy"

RE: Going out to lunch

"At one lunch there was a tray of cookies but the office manager made the delivery man take them back. She kept saying 'Cookies are not company policy'"

Holy crap.  They're already there, just live with the happy surprise for everyone and be sure to clarify the order next time.

It amazes me how little so many managers understand about motivation and morale.  No one's going to work extra-hard for a cookie, but showing that you're petty enough to take away the cookie, that's a demotivator.

My inner three-year-old is right now sobbing over my inner lost cookie.  It had sprinkles on it.  Rainbow sprinkles.

Hg

Eng-Tips policies:  FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies

RE: Going out to lunch

I used to go out everyday when I was first starting out.  I guess it was more of a socializing thing for me back then.  It didn't help that I made about 30k/year and spent 10 dollars a day on lunches though ;)

There can be some benefit at least in regards to networking and truly getting to know your fellow coworkers.  You don't have to be friends to go out to lunch and BS about work or just life in general.  Who knows.  20 years from now that person might remember you and help you out if you need a job or vice versa.

Definitely agree that it helps to clear your head.  What country is that where they used to go home and take a nap at lunch? (think a 100 or so years ago)  Thats what I would like ;)  Some places I worked they do that now but it is in their car after they finish their 40 ;)

RE: Going out to lunch

cksh - go home and take a nap at lunch.  That would be several Mediteranian countries and possibly their colonies.  Some areas of these countries still do it, at least some of the stores shut for 2+ hours at lunch.  Oh yeah, and the 'nap' wasn't always a nap, they may have gone to bed but not to sleep if you catch my drift, maybe that's just a rumor about the French though.

I think in the last year I've been out to lunch more with our CAD vendor than with any one group of colleagues, though my boss is always there.

At my last place in the UK we all brown bagged it most days and we'd sit around together and chat.  Used to do that a bit at my current place but not so much now.

KENAT, probably the least qualified checker you'll ever meet...

RE: Going out to lunch

bridgebuster:  we hold training sessions at lunch too, and we provide lunch.  But it's not to get the training in "for free"- it's to make sure people show up rather than going to the pub instead!  Especially the older ones who already know the material but can provide examples and lessons learned during the sessions etc.  The sessions work way better at lunch than during work hours when people are skiving off to answer e-mails or take phonecalls etc.

Agree about the cookies, for sure.  Though nobody will work 5% harder for 5% more pay, nothing motivates people to slack off and/or look for another job better than the feeling that they're being cheated out of, say, even 2% of their pay.    Or that the company is too cheap to spring for cookies!  If indeed this is true company policy rather than the actions of some misguided admin witch, it's an indication of how they TRULY value their employees...

RE: Going out to lunch

If it's a "misguided admin witch", she should be required to bring cookies for everyone the following week.

Hg

Eng-Tips policies:  FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies

RE: Going out to lunch

moltenmetal:

There's nothing in the company policy about cookies but it's the company policy that we get paid for mandatory training. But hey, office politics; sometimes you got to bite the bullet - which is probably against one of our 20 gazillion safety policies.

 

RE: Going out to lunch

I need to stick to my guns and go to lunch alone to read and relax more often.

In one job, I worked out, it was a bit of a rush but it really does rejuvenate you for the afternoon. It's not really an option in this job at this point.

I carry a pager and could get paged at any time. Most of my co-workers don't leave the department for lunch very often. It almost becomes an issue of guilt. That and leaving the department has never become a habit because invariably two or 3 days a week I can't leave since I'm working during the lunch hours and trying to eat where I can and very quickly.

They revamped the library near where I work and it's a short walk. I want to start going there. I have to eat before I go there, so I'll start bringing a sandwich. It's incredible to go from a loud chaotic workplace to one in which it is quiet. When I've done this I stay until I feel what I call the "relaxation response", which is a feeling of some calmness before I head back to the grind! It normally takes at least 15 minutes and of course if I get paged I may never feel the calm feeling!

Already lamenting the fact I may not have time the next 3 days of the week.
 

RE: Going out to lunch

Anytime you cannot make time for your legally entitled breaks then you are doing yourself no good.

If there is so much work that everyone has to work lunch times then the company needs to recruit more people.
If they won't do this then you have to decide what work you can do and what you cannot do or let management prioritise.
You really need to take your breaks whether you eat or go to the library.

Guilt?
Who should feel guilty?
You can bet that when push comes to shove the company won't award brownie points.

I always took my breaks. I may have worked later and then some more at home but breaks are important.

JMW
www.ViscoAnalyser.com
 

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