Most days, I end up working though my "lunch break" at work. I have a lot to do and it's just easier to scarf down a sandwich while writing notes. Gets me home at a reasonable hour.
It doesn't bother me to have to work through lunch. As long as I get to eat, I'm happy. I get very cranky when my blood sugar drops.
What I don't like is the soundtrack I get to my lunch every day.
No, I don't have to listen to Justin Bieber or two people having sex, but I think both of these options might be preferable to what I do have to hear: In a conference room far, far away (but very much within earshot), there are people enjoying their lunch break.
OK, I don't begrudge anyone having a relaxed 30-45 minutes for lunch in which they're not furiously writing notes. But do they have to FLAUNT it so much? I'm sitting there alone in my office, eating a cold sandwich, and every few minutes I hear a burst of laughter. It's not just laughter either. It's the kind of hysterical sound that people only make if they're being tickled or possibly assaulted in some way.
Why are they laughing so much? And so hard? And so frequently? What is so damn funny? Who are these people and why are they so damn jolly??
It drives me freaking nuts.
I feel like a grinch talking about this. But it's really hard to have to listen to people in another room laughing hysterically for thirty minutes a day every day. It's sort of like if I was on a diet and I had to watch people eating decadent chocolate every day while I munched on carrot sticks.
It's gotten to the point where I try to avoid my office during the 12-1 time period, so I don't have to listen to them. But that's the best hour to eat lunch! This is just so unfair.
Nothing is worse than being hungry and hearing people enjoying themselves eating. I feel your pain.
ReplyDeleteTrying listening to music while on lunch to drown out the laughter?
ReplyDeleteI once tried listening to music to drown out the patients...but that didn't work out too well.
Why not give yourself a treat and join them for lunch once in awhile? I know notes get to be stacked sky high, but a break every now and then might do wonders for you!
ReplyDeleteIf not that, how about listening to podcasts of your fav. comedians? So what if you maniacally laugh out loud and people wonder...
Haha Fizzy, you're hysterical. That would drive me crazy too. In particular if the conversation sounded interesting and I had something I really wanted to interject, but couldn't because I was two rooms away.
ReplyDeleteI was also going to suggest introducing yourself to them and possibly joinging them for lunch. Then you wouldn't feel left out and could have a few laughs of your own.
ReplyDeleteDownload a laugh track that they use for sitcoms and blast it every time they laugh. They might get the point and if they don't atleast you can amuse yourself for a few minutes each day.
ReplyDeleteSounds like you need better self care? :) Why not join them?
ReplyDeleteI'm a 3rd year medical student, no where near the end of this stupid career but already I relate to you. When I'm at cafe's , libraries, malls, anywhere and I hear people laughing and enjoying themselves I get bitter lol.
ReplyDelete^I agree. It's worse in libraries though...University libraries are supposed to be pits of despair and misery and filled with lowly students desperately cramming for exams...I hated hearing giggling or seeing people play games on their laptop when I was trying to study.
ReplyDeleteMingle, I'm with you on that one. How dare anyone enjoy themselves in a library!
ReplyDeleteThat's funny, I also wrote about lunch this week. What's happening to the sanctity of the afternoon break? I get what you're saying, I hope you can find a merriment-free space for your next lunch!
ReplyDeleteDunno, I'm just not the kind of person who feels comfortable approaching a group of strangers and asking to join them for lunch. Somehow it seems even harder now than it was in high school. The other thing is that I don't really have time for a non-working lunch break. I barely make it out at a reasonable time as is.
ReplyDeleteYou could always invite your fav. peeps to join you! And who said lunch breaks are for eating, anyway? Maybe a stand up desk or a walking (pedal desk) would allow you to move around a bit while you write. Or you could split the break time and two thirds could be for notes/food/fuel, while the other could be for a bathroom break (always a plus), and time to take a brisk walk outside and get some sun, fresh air and a breather (pun intended - sorry).
ReplyDeleteJust throwing some options out there. Maybe something will inspire your own best solution.
Best-