EDIT: 0. Go and just HIT the booze, have like four beers and a dozen tequila shots. If they sack you for getting drunk at a work function sue their asses into your retirement.
Pay and accept it as part of work social life, it’s a chance to bond with new colleagues.
Go but don’t eat anything, claim you’re in a bit of debt while being between jobs. Eat your packed lunch on the way to the lunch. Maybe come across as a bit difficult.
Refuse to go saying that if they’re not paying for the meal or your lunch break they can gargle your fucking nuts.
I reckon I’ve listed them in order of acceptability and reverse order of what I’d want to do.
2 is a really good option, probably what I’d do as well. The other time we had a work lunch at a nearby pub that was eye wateringly expensive, I didn’t eat and later when the idea of going there was floated again I just straight up said it was nice but out of my budget. Only then did some colleagues chime in to agree. Just gotta be brave sometimes
OK so if work is making me give up my lunch break to go to someone’s going away lunch, I think it’s fair that I not have to pay.
Thoughts?
EDIT: 0. Go and just HIT the booze, have like four beers and a dozen tequila shots. If they sack you for getting drunk at a work function sue their asses into your retirement.
I reckon I’ve listed them in order of acceptability and reverse order of what I’d want to do.
2 is a really good option, probably what I’d do as well. The other time we had a work lunch at a nearby pub that was eye wateringly expensive, I didn’t eat and later when the idea of going there was floated again I just straight up said it was nice but out of my budget. Only then did some colleagues chime in to agree. Just gotta be brave sometimes
Very well put.
As dumble said, tell them that out of pocket lunch expenses are not in your budget at the time and you prefer to eat what you brought from home.
I’ve never actually attended a farewell lunch, especially for someone whom I barely know.
Hopefully this won’t affect your standing with your colleagues, but they should be accepting of your situation.