Do You Eat Lunch as a Staff?

I'm going to a staff lunch today!

But we're a small company, can fit around a big table at the local steak house. Back when I worked in a large building on 1st St in San Jose it was different. They'd cater a lunch in a conference room, we'd eat the free sandwiches and talk, then we'd go out to lunch again somewhere good.

No, and I prefer it that way. Spending another 45 minutes with people I already spend 50-60 hours a week with is not something I need or want. Lunch is for me the opportunity to take a well-deserved break away from work and from coworkers and the office (whether virtual or physical).

Lunch is me time, not work time.

All of the best engineering teams I've seen did this often.