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Anon426099 · 30 Oct 2025
I'm new to the corporate workplace and not sure about whether I should eat lunch with my team if they ask? I prefer to just zone out during my break or watch something on my phone, but I don't want to be seen as anti-social. I'm worried doing my own thing will make me seem like not a 'team player'. Does anyone here have a similar team culture where people usually have lunch together - and what do you do if you don't always want to join them?
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Joanne · 5 Nov 2025
Education Facilitator
I feel you. I give 100% to clients while I’m working, and it’s emotionally exhausting. When I have a break, I reeeeeaaally want to spend that time recharging.
In a work place full of extroverts who are not client facing, my coworkers in the office get excited to spend time together at lunch. 😣
I’m going to be honest: in my workplace, they did not understand that a break for me meant not having to interact socially with anyone. They took it personally. I do not recommend.
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Roxanne · 23d ago
I worked with someone who said their breaks are theirs and they wanna enjoy them alone. I totally get and respect that. Thankfully our teams breaks were at different times. I wouldn't wanna eat with them every day.
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Flightless Bird · 29d ago
I think what makes you a team player is what you do when you're working. But totally get it can feel like an obligation sometimes...whether it's lunch or team drinks or what ever.
I always found saying 'I'd love to but...' works pretty well.
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West Coast Adventure · 1 Nov 2025
I usually join in once or twice a week just to stay connected, but most days I take my lunch break solo to actually recharge. No one’s ever seemed to care as long as I’m friendly and engaged at other times. You don’t have to be “on” 24/7, breaks are for you, not team bonding.
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Stacey · 22d ago
Executive Assistant to the Chief Executive Officer
I had this years ago and I sat with them a few times at the start but I always liked to get out of the office and be outside. They didn’t mind, no one said a thing. Do you, best way to be.
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Anon833607 · 22d ago
Energy Sales Representative
you don't have to hang with them, value YOUR time when you are on your break. That is time for you to relax so set boundaries if you need to!
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Chandni (Vinny) · 5 Nov 2025
Recruitment Administrator
Hi, I feel you- I am quite introvert when it comes to workplace but an extrovert otherwise. I feel it's best to be honest with your team- tell them how you like to spend your break time. In my previous organization I would always eat my lunch at my desk or alone in the kitchen because that was my downtime and my team understood- they would reach out to me asking if everything's alright. However, there are days when I would make an honest attempt to have lunch or go out for coffee with them.
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Anon738791 · 19d ago
Logistics Assistant
Honestly if you feel comfortable eating alone do it!
I hated eating with people it was so awkward you just sit there in silence while they yap about topics that have no benefits to you. It’s a toxic culture if they make a big deal about you not eating lunch together! Working in corporate is exhausting and lunch time was my only time of peace and silence.
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Gabrielle · 20d ago
Optical Dispenser
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