I hated eating at my desk and almost never did. My husband used to do it all the time. I tried to convince him not to.

I think it’s best to take a real break during the day. Different wall in front of your face, walk for ten minutes, have your computer screen in a different room. Talk to people.

My husband could leave “early” if he came to a stopping point, so he liked to work without stop and leave. I usually had jobs that I couldn’t leave before X time, so I might as well take a break. Although, even when I have lots of flexibility I still prefer not to eat at my desk.

When I worked as a salesperson I didn’t have a desk. I could go to the employee lounge for lunch, but almost never did. I left the store to eat.

Yes, I do, as I am in a business that has continuous, uninterrupted operations from 9:30 a.m. ET until 4 p.m. ET. I eat lunch at my desk almost every day; once in a blue moon (i.e., about two or three times a year) I will eat lunch out.

I don’t eat things with particularly strong odors at lunch very often.

Doing it right now

We go to the university cantine for an hour.

I avoided foods with strong odors if i was eating with a group around.

Sometimes I will, and I’ll play on the computer looking at email, internet or Facebook. I’ll usually answer the phone while I’m eating at my desk, though.

Sometimes I’ll eat in the conference room with a coworker. I’ll help her answer the phone (the main line) when I do that.

Sometimes (maybe once every two weeks, or once a week, depending), I’ll go out to the farmer’s market or dollar store or something. I work in a fairly big city. If the weather is bad, I won’t go out. If it’s nice, I’ll maybe take a walk. If I have to take a walk to another building for work, I may stop at a store or something on the way back.

I have the luxury and responsibility of working virtually. For those who think it is all bunny slippers and bonbons…I am answering this at 6:20 AM EST between answering emails that accumulated over the evening…and I shut down last evening at about 7 PM EST after talking to a candidate in British Columbia.

And I am not a workaholic—Been there, done that. I work for one of the best companies in the US and if you look me up on Linkedin, you can find out which one…

Like the previous writer, I pretty much have my pick of when lunch takes place, what I do and where I go. I generally graze, take my beloved dachshund for several walks….and yes, eat at my desk…amid my four computers, fountain pens and pads of upscale pads of paper on which I take notes.

COULD I take the time to go to one of the many local places for a sit-down lunch? Yep. It would not be all that enjoyable, however. DB would not be with me, as she works uptown and a virtual lunch with her via Skype just ain’t the same.

OH—how to find me on Linkedin? Three bread crumbs. Fountain Pen Users on Linkedin. My Fluther avatar. I am a Sr. Technical Recruiter. And please, send me an invitation to connect…