An article in NY Times Magazine stated that 62% of people typically eat lunch at their desks. Social scientists have coined this “desktop dining”.
We normally eat alone at our desk, instead of with co-workers, to be more productive; but those sitting near us can become hapless participants in the experience — unless they have taken leave of their senses (see below). We would do well to consider this before digging in at our desk:
Sight: The sight of a breadcrumb-littered, mustard-flecked desk is unappetizing to a visitor. Trying to split our concentration can result in a sloppy environment. This creates a distraction for visitors and ourselves.
Hearing: The sound of munching, crackling, and lip-smacking can be annoying for our neighbors. Add to this, the sounds of opening and compressing packages. For a co-worker trying to concentrate, this mealtime cacophony is annoying, at best.
Smell: The aroma of a fish or fried-egg sandwich may be tantalizing to the person about to take a bite yet repelling to others. Whiffs of spaghetti and meatballs can be seductive and at the same time annoyingly distracting.
Touch: Anyone who has ever put their hands down on a desktop dotted with drops of honey or blueberry yogurt, understands the aggravation of a cubicle visitor forced to detour to the restroom to wash the sticky residue off their hands.
In addition, there are studies showing that trading a relaxing lunch with others for a ”working lunch ” can, in the end, dampen productivity,
If we decide to eat at our desk, eat during lunchtime, when most others are in the cafeteria. Although we may be the only one eating at our desk, we aren’t to necessarily eating alone.
