This same issue comes up and I DO NOT GET IT.

In my last workplace the co workers I worked with seemed obsessed with two things (1) Planning Parties and (2) having food that, frankly, no one likes. One good thing is that my new boss has sort of temporary workers so... this really varies.

But now, these two temps have decided on making their own food in the workplace and have suggested that every week we have a group lunch with them making food.

(1) I usually get invited to this as a food consumption participate. They make too much food and need someone to eat it.
(2) They are, of course... thin, and I am fat. So, that is annoying.
(3) The food is horrible. I have stated a few times that I am not a Mexican food person... and they always make that and go out to eat there.

One issue is that they always act like i am a kill joy that I don't want to do this. Obviously because they want me to consume their food so they don't have to clean up.

I try, so hard, to make it clear that I don't want to do this.. for many reasons, including that my job is such that I can't really be away from my desk for hours. I also resent that they have work to do and I hate that when hours go by and I am waiting for something they tell me they went shopping for food.

But they don't get it. And I feel they don't because they feel i should just eat to help them out.

I would just come out and say it but, I don't know if I can because that would be kind of rude. I just wish they would get the hint.

This happened now in two different workplaces -- what is the deal?

[Shazerac]

Yea some people do this in the workplace. I don't get it either. All you can do is politely decline to be involved and stand firm. So what if they act like you are a killjoy? That's on them.

As far as them not doing work to shop that's not ok. But unless you are in a position of authority them. You don't have a lot of options. You can tell them that you feel work comes first and it's not right to leave you hanging with their unfinished work. Work first then shop. Or maybe discuss this issue with a supervisor.

I think next time I will politely decline saying I already ate. My boss is unduly influenced by them. I think he gets it as he refuses to hire a permanent person for the position but.. I resent that things seem delayed because they want have parties. I am sooo sooo tried of it. Though I recognize they mean to be kind. I guess.

[hvert]

Same here. I like to go for a walk during my lunch break, not be trapped indoors eating crappy food with coworkers. I just say no thanks and don't participate 90% of the time. The current office I work from is the first place I've seen where there are just as many (or more?) non-participants as participants.

I don't mind about the people setting up the events - it's a bright spot in the day for them in an otherwise tedious job. I would feel differently if I had to do their work while they did that, though!

[GoodVibrations101]

I worked in a job that was great but most of the group breaks revolved around eating food. I was also dieting to lose weight so I felt like a killjoy and a party mood killer. I liked my co-workers, but why so much eating? I think a lot of people express themselves around food, and I just dealt with being the odd-person out.

Originally Posted by GoodVibrations101

I worked in a job that was great but most of the group breaks revolved around eating food. I was also dieting to lose weight so I felt like a killjoy and a party mood killer. I liked my co-workers, but why so much eating? I think a lot of people express themselves around food, and I just dealt with being the odd-person out.

Yup I agree. A lot of people express themselves around food. I always think it is odd too because like I am 46 (47 by the end of the week) what if I had diabetes or something... I mean I never buy food as gifts because I don't know if they will like it or are dealing with something... but no one apparently cares in my case.

[~Christina]

Ugh the dreaded people at a job that insist on this food deal .. Ugh just UGH

Im really weird about eating food others make....

In the past I just politely say... No offence I appreciate the offer but I brought/ bought/ my own as I am particular about what I am eating.

Good luck with this far to often issue at jobs

[seesaw]

So, what I used to do was bring my own food that was healthy and I would eat with my coworkers when they did this so i could build friendships without killing my diet. I was the same way, they were all thin and I am fat. I would bring healthy snacks on days when I knew there would be birthdays, and I took walks at lunch instead of eating with them. But I invited people on my walks with me. I was lucky that I have a service dog so I always used the pretense that lunchtime was his walk/break time.

But I would mention to the boss that these multiple cooking engagements are getting in the way of productivity and maybe there should be some parameters and when and how long they can do it for. It sounds like a weekly thing with your company and that's just unacceptable. My company regulated lunchtimes very carefully, so I don't know how these temps are getting away with taking long breaks to go shopping and then make and eat food. How are they getting any work done? I would definitely just mention, tactfully, to your boss that it's affecting productivity.

Seesaw