If you're having productivity problems I feel bad for you, son. I've got a few problems but eating at my desk isn't one.
I eat wherever I want and no link-baity blog post isn't going to change my habits none.
Never Going Back - A Week of Not Eating Lunch at My Desk
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Re: Never Going Back - A Week of Not Eating Lunch at My Desk
#82If you're having productivity problems I feel bad for you, son. I've got a few problems but eating at my desk isn't one.
I eat wherever I want and no link-baity blog post isn't going to change my habits none.
Re: Never Going Back - A Week of Not Eating Lunch at My Desk
#83Earlier quoted context omitted.
I agree with you. If you simply turn your keyboard upside down and give it a few slaps you will see a lot of grubbiness comming out!
Im going to invent a keyboard that has a toaster-style pullout.
But then your code will always be either slightly too-heavily cooked or not-quite-cooked-enough!
Re: Never Going Back - A Week of Not Eating Lunch at My Desk
#84One of the best decisions I ever made at my prior job. I'd take a solid hour for lunch outside, typically with colleagues. Additionally, 2 colleagues and I took a 45 min walk at 330pm everyday. I'd argue that I was significantly more productive by doing this and much much happier.
Re: Never Going Back - A Week of Not Eating Lunch at My Desk
#85"I found my mind wandering to other things and realized that I was actually enjoying my food a lot more; remarking internally on how the bread actually taste in the sandwich."
jesus christ what
Re: Never Going Back - A Week of Not Eating Lunch at My Desk
#86Another point to consider is that eating at your desk could be a major source of illness: your phone, tablet, mouse, keyboard, etc., are all great sources for all sorts of germs.
Putting that into greater perspective with some data: studies have shown your desk environment to have 400 times more bacteria than toilet seats.
Re: Never Going Back - A Week of Not Eating Lunch at My Desk
#87Sometimes I like to eat lunch at my desk, other times I eat in the dining area with co-workers, and other times I eat out. Why does it need to be an all or nothing proposition? There are days when I'm very busy on a problem and I don't want the distraction of taking lunch so I'll either eat it at my desk or eat something low impact like a protein bar/shake. Alternatively when I get stuck on a problem I'll take a long…
This is an excellent point. To answer your question: I don't think it needs to be an all or nothing proposition.
For me, I had acquiesced to always eating at my desk; convincing myself I was making the best decision for me.
I know myself well enough to know there are aspects of my life I'm not good at regulating or balancing. I also know that I'm good at convincing myself of things that aren't in my best interest. Experiments like this are useful to me for that reason.
I discovered that I was wrong about what I thought I wanted from this particular aspect of life. This discovery was important enough, for me, to make a clear cut decision to alleviate the chances of convincing myself my old routine was a good one.
An analogy that comes to mind is how some people stop smoking cigarettes: cold turkey isn't for everyone, but for those who know it is, they go for it and they stop and they feel better for it. There's science to show eating lunch at the desk is unhealthy. I've found I tremendously enjoy the alternative and the benefits that come with it. So, I've gone cold turkey. But that doesn't mean it's for everyone.
Re: Never Going Back - A Week of Not Eating Lunch at My Desk
#88Earlier quoted context omitted.
I'm fine with people making polar switches but there's no need to write about it as though the thing they switched from is the "wrong" choice. Can't it just be wrong sometimes and/or for some people ? Of course, " Sometimes Going Back - A Week of Sometimes Not Eating Lunch at My Desk " doesn't play as well as the original title..
I think eating at your desk is a wrong choice. There is almost no benefit to eating at your desk. The only potential upside is that you get "more" work done. Anyone who has the opportunity should leave their desk at least three times a week for lunch.
When I eat at my desk, it is because eating at my desk means eating in a relaxed quiet environment without lots of people around.
You're making a huge assumption that people eating at their desks are doing work while eating.
Re: Never Going Back - A Week of Not Eating Lunch at My Desk
#89I never eat lunch at my desk because I think it's inconsiderate to my coworkers. They should not have to smell or see what I am eating, let alone hear me crunch into chips or an apple.
I find this quite ridiculous, people are not these fragile creatures that can't see, hear or smell anything other than the usual office sights, sounds and aromas. I think you're over thinking this. Unless you're eating weird stuff like boiled lungfish or whatever then I suspect nobody is paying the slightest attention to you eating chips or an apple.
I have an actual phobia, for hearing people chew. It makes my skin crawl and instantly pisses me off. I get it from my dad apparently. I really wish it didn't affect me so much.
Re: Never Going Back - A Week of Not Eating Lunch at My Desk
#90Earlier quoted context omitted.
I don't take personal calls at my desk. My phone is on silent at all times when at the office. If I need to make a call, I step out. I would like others to do the same. Edit: Even my desk phone is on silent. It sounds a single beep when the phone rings.
> I don't take personal calls at my desk. My phone is on > silent at all times when at the office. If I need to > make a call, I step out. > > Even my desk phone is on silent. It sounds a single beep > when the phone rings. That's going a bit overboard, but that's fine. Good for you. > I would like others to do the same. That's not really a reasonable request.
FWIW I agree with buckbova and don't think its overboard in the slightest to ask for personal calls to be made out of the office. Nor do I think it unreasonable for this to be part of the company culture. It happens to be part of how we work in the startup I work at (except the desk phone on silent thing) and I'm not aware of any problems this has caused. So I find your pronouncement that its not "reasonable" to be a bit presumptuous.