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jljocque asked in Society & CultureEtiquette · 8 years ago

Is is rude to comment on someone's meal when they are eating at their desk?

Like many employees today, I eat my lunch at my desk when I'm very busy. There is a co-worker who will almost always make some sort of comment - not rude or anything, usually along the lines of "mmm, that smells good" or guessing that it's Italian or whatever. He's from the Receiving department, he's just trying to make conversation while he's delivering stuff.

I don't know exactly why, but these comments make me uncomfortable. Maybe because I was raised not to eat in front of others without sharing, or because I feel like I'm being watched while I eat (which I am not). I just want to get some other people's opinions on the subject - has this happened to you, how does it make you feel, how do you respond?

12 Answers

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  • Anonymous
    8 years ago
    Favorite Answer

    It's perfectly understandable that you're uncomfortable. A favorable judgment is still a judgment, and no one likes to feel like every single thing they do is being judged. Of course he doesn't mean to be rude, but if he thought about it a little bit more, he'd realize that there are better ways to start a conversation.

  • ?
    Lv 4
    5 years ago

    I agree with Jenny, you might be being overly sensitive with reference to consuming out of water bottles. In one of my earlier workplaces, I knocked a cup of water across a pile of invoices that I had created, and this was again within the day before we did them on the laptop so this was basically writing off a whole week's valued at of labor, so then my supervisor requested that I *best* drank from a bottle after that, and reasonable ample too. Except for that, I consider that the people that you just work with sound somewhat bizarre, as without doubt no-one in my workplace behaves like that. But, I additionally think you sound overly touchy in some respects. I will be able to imagine that folks won't say good day after they walk into the administrative center ... But I to find it tough to suppose that should you said hey to them they'd ignore you, so why do not you are trying speaking first? Relating to consuming foods at their desks, is there an substitute place for them to eat? I've undoubtedly labored in lots of areas where there's no cafeteria or whatever, so that you would be able to either go out for lunch which certainly you are not able to come up with the money for to do everyday, or which you could eat at your desk - so not a lot of a choice particularly! And i am not certain what you mean with the aid of you don't work in a cubicle due to the fact you are a professional ... How are the 2 collectively distinctive? I've labored at two of the big 4 accounting businesses and every body there works in cubicles, and yet evidently accountants are gurus! Edit: ok, i've simply read through your previous questions. You will have posted eight questions and four of them, i.E. 50%, relate to how rude you think individuals are. Evidently then, you might be overly sensitive in the event you suppose it's critical to obsess this much over it.

  • Mushu
    Lv 7
    8 years ago

    I hear you. While the positive comments are not so bad, when they say something negative, or keep going on about it, that's rude.

    I have a coworker who "inspects" our lunches daily, asking detailed questions about what we brought and how we made it, etc., and even says things like, "how come you didn't bring me any"? It's irritating as hell. Whenever we have team potluck lunches, she's always scrambling for the leftovers and even going into other departments to see what they have and begging them for food.

    So yeah, I know where you're coming from.

    You may want to just nod your head in recognition of this coworkers presence, so as not to be rude, but then turn around and continue eating as a way to indicate that the conversation is over.

  • Antst
    Lv 7
    8 years ago

    I agree that it isn't comfortable to be noticed while eating, but he isn't being rude. He is just making conversation. If he criticized your food or your figure, that would be rude.

    Actually, you may not want to hear this, but you may be the one being rude.

    Have you asked your coworkers if they are OK about you eating in the office? It's fine to eat cold, aroma-free food like most sandwiches, but Italian can be stinky. A pet gripe that many people have is coworkers eating stinky lunch at their desks.

  • Anonymous
    8 years ago

    It's rude.

    There was a kid who used to eat Indian curries at his desk. The other kids said things like "Eeww, gross" or that it smelled badly. The teacher put a stop to that behavior, because it's rude.

    The guy wants to make conversation, he can say something else, but for someone else to comment on food while it's being eaten is rude.

  • Sue B
    Lv 7
    8 years ago

    I had a job, where I was one of the last hired. I like eating alone. So, I'd time it to where I'd go eat in the lunch room, after everyone else was done. This one lady, whom I worked with in the same department, whom didn't like me, always made her way in, would circle my seat and make comments. I felt like standing up and punching her, but I learned to ignore her. I find it rude yes.

  • 7 years ago

    it was this woman's first day at work. the woman said im "rude" for eating my lunch. ive been doing this for 4 months. everyone eats at their desk because we work hard and dont even really take a lunch break.

    i already have a headache from the woman and hate her.

    what are you supposed to do? not eat your meal that youve been eating everyday at your desk?

    isnt more rude to pay mind to people that dont even want to know you?

  • ?
    Lv 7
    8 years ago

    you are right-he is just trying to be friendly--but I think we all cringe when we get a sense of the "food police" hovering and commenting on our personal business----try to take it the way he intends--and not take offense....he could be saying really rude things, after all!!

  • 8 years ago

    You should just go along and talk to him, he's probably just trying to be friendly. Dont over think it just socialise!

    Source(s): experience
  • ?
    Lv 7
    8 years ago

    I wouldn't pay too much attention to it. If it were me, I'd just smile and let it go.

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