I would have to place food as playing an important role in our cultural lives. However, I do not mean eating simply to survive. Food plays a critical part in defining our culture, as a part of cultural ritual, and is a way to amicably meet/discuss. In light of my view on the social importance of food, I pose the question of the food in the workplace.
How do we treat the business lunch?
As a matter of necessity, I have been packing my lunch for the last six months. It turns out about half of the people in the office routinely pack lunch, leaving the other half to eat out. Due to the circumstances of my position, I have a hard time justifying the cost of eating out. However, I can't help but feel that there is something that is socially missed by choosing to abstain. In fairness, I see how the business lunch is viewed as a more relaxed time, but it seems one that grants one the privilege of access to co-workers/executive staff. This makes me wonder if there are social costs to making the decision not to participate. If there are, could those costs be assessed to be equal to or greater than the $10 sandwich and the "optional" $2 gratuity? Is there a cost associated with agreeing to go to lunch and ordering only water?
All of these are questions for which I have no real address. The issue is admittedly a small one, but I do not yet know how trivial it is.
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I know exactly what you mean. I have several hobbies that do not include Golf. Televised Golf normally puts me to sleep. However, at every conference for Public Administration there is a Golf tournament. I am a college kid and always thought of Golf as an executive and therefore expensive sport. I was told that I should take it because it can be fun it does provide a social networking ability. I actually spent some time at a driving range last Sunday. It was fun, maybe I have some hope for the sport after all, but I am still pretty sure I can’t afford it.
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