New to office: is there any way to say no to this?

[Anonymous]

It is office culture. You chose the office, now you have to live with the culture. If you really hate it, do it and then back off slowly. To all those who think that it is her time and she can do what she wants, I bet your coworkers really dislike you as you are not a team player.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn't do it. I am an introvert and lunchtime is my time to decompress from dealing with people all morning and gear up for the afternoon full of dealing with people. I can not be lunching socially every day. Maybe once a week.

Also, I am a very picky eater and really would hate having others decide what I'm supposed to eat.

+1000

[Anonymous]

I agree this is strange OP (nice, but strange) and understand your reservations. If you agree to chip in 2x month when it is your turn, will it look bad if you choose to do your own thing on some of the days when lunch is not your responsibility? If that's the case, I would be fine with that. But I wouldn't be ok with this "tradition" dictating what I eat and what I do on my lunch break every single day. Maybe once or twice a week but every day is a little much. I have little kids as well so lunch time is the only time I have to run certain errands.

[Anonymous]

I wonder how many men think you have to suck it up vs women. At my former office they always ate together with the exception of a female co-worker. People spoke negatively about her for that.

[Anonymous]

This sounds like complete hell to me, and I would never do it. I'm sure you're not the only one who's not down with it, so have the courage to say you don't want to do it. Even if you ARE the only one who doesn't want to, don't be a total sheep and go along with it. Sheesh.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It is office culture. You chose the office, now you have to live with the culture. If you really hate it, do it and then back off slowly. To all those who think that it is her time and she can do what she wants, I bet your coworkers really dislike you as you are not a team player.

I assure you this is not the case in my office (also 10 people). There are other ways to demonstrate that you are a team player. I have never noticed a shortage of people hanging out in my office, chatting with me in the halls, talking about cases, asking for advice. I don't need to eat with them to get that.
Then again, I actually am not a team player in some respects; I have no problem skipping an event (assuming it is recommended and not strictly required) if I have too much work or if I find the subject matter stupid or boring. This means I skip at least 1/2 of our company events. (There's a pretty high percentage of stupid and boring.) As do some others. It has never impeded my evaluations or relationships, and though I'm sure there are some people who think less of me for it, I really don't care. Like another PP said -- don't be a sheep. Do it if you really want to or feel you must, but if you would just hate and resent it, then don't.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think you need to go along with the rest of the office if you want to fit in.

I am not OP but this is what is wrong with the workplace.

I am there to work-period. I am not there to fit in, play social club like I am in high school, or participate in elementary pizza parties. I am there to do a job and then I want to go home.

If I am entitled to a lunch break, then I don't need you telling me how to spend that time. This is not second grade.

Please stop wasting my time with all the nonsense. This is a job, not my life. You want the job done well, then let me do it and save all the BS because I am not interested.
Sorry OP. You will have to feel them out to see if you have to play along or not. I am so glad I don't have to play these stupid games.

+1 My lunch time is my down time. I resent if people try to make it into social hour. I also have very specific food interests, and I don't eat meat, so half of the time, I probably wouldn't eat what other people choose.

Could you tell them that you have food sensitivities and really would prefer not to participate? Or tell them that you use your lunch time for other things. period.

ok now i get it you're annoying

I'm annoying? I never tell people what to eat or what not to eat. But I am an adult, and I get to choose what I eat (or don't eat). I find people who try to force me into eating their food annoying.

[Anonymous]

I'm a team player when it comes to actual work (getting things done and done well). I'm an adult. I get paid to work and produce a product.

As for my lunch time, that's mine. I don't feel like I need to be a team player when it comes to what I eat or how I spend my personal time or money.

Which is another thing, not everyone has the disposable income to buy lunch