Would it be unprofessional not to eat during a team lunch?

Question

My manager organized a team lunch for next week. The restaurant we will be going to is one where the only options are meat and fish. For medical reasons, I can't eat those things. In the past I was able to eat fish and I think that's the reason why the manager chose this restaurant (they always try to keep people's preferences in mind during these kind of events) without really informing me.

Now that everything has been organized and all, I think it is too late to ask for any changes. So my question here is: "Would it be unprofessional to go to a team lunch and not eat anything?"

I would still ask for something to drink so I have "something to do" while everyone is busy eating. According to other Q&As here, declining wouldn't be a good idea because these kind of team lunches can also be seen as team meetings.

Answer 1

So my question here is: "Would it be unprofessional to go to a team lunch and not eat anything."

I wouldn't specifically label it "unprofessional", but some might. But it would likely be considered odd.

Check out the restaurant's menu ahead of time. Find something on the menu you can eat - if not an entree, consider ordering an appetizer, salad or soup. Unless this just a burger and fries restaurant, or you have an extremely unusually strict diet, there's almost certainly something you could eat.

If there's truly nothing you can find, call ahead and ask if the chef can prepare something specifically for you. This has worked in the past for a friend who was gluten-intolerant. He called the restaurant and found that the owner had a child who was gluten-intolerant too. While they had nothing great on the menu, the owner was happy to instruct the chef to prepare something suitable. This became my friend's go-to restaurant and the restaurant expanded its menu.

Put some effort into it rather than just assuming there's nothing you can eat.

Answer 2

I don't think it would be particularly problematic. It's certainly not unprofessional. You'd very likely be asked a few questions about it, but if you're not worried about that and have a good response I don't think it's a problem. You can either provide a canned minimalist response, or provide more details, depending on your comfort level.

My team typically goes to a pizza place for team lunches, and for a while I was on a fairly restrictive diet (by choice) and didn't want to eat any pizza. I did eat a small amount of salad, but otherwise I ate my usual protein-and-fiber high foods after the lunch at my desk. The salad wasn't very healthy, hence only a small amount. Nobody asked beyond asking me if I wanted a piece, at which point I said "no, thanks, I'm alright".

After the first of those, my manager did ask me afterwards if pizza was a problem; I told him that he didn't need to worry about me particularly, but that I don't prefer pizza for diet reasons. He understood and let me know that if I wanted he could switch to something else, but I didn't push that as I'm entirely happy to simply talk and not eat.

I treat it identically to going to a bar for happy hour and not drinking (which I also don't do); I get a soda/water/etc. and just hang out. The important thing is that you're there and that you're conversing with your coworkers. The food is just something they provide in order to encourage you to come.

Answer 3

It will not be a problem at all if your manager and coworkers are civilized. Just make sure to tell them that you enjoy their presence (you may have some starters which are appropriate?).

I had a case once (EDIT: twice, I forgot again recently) where I forgot I was having a team lunch and had lunch before. I went with them but did not eat and of course everyone was fine with this.

Answer 4

Regarding the actual question: to some extent, "professional" seems to be in the eye of the beholder, so the real issue here is how would your colleagues view things if you don't eat during the lunch. If they know your diet is restricted and this restaurant has no options for you, I would expect that they wouldn't think anything of it if you do not eat. I've experienced similar issues before (see below) and haven't really encountered anything more than some good-natured ribbing. Also, I've had co-workers who are observing Ramadan who've avoided food during working lunches and never heard anyone accuse them of being unprofessional.

Other observations, some from personal experience: My diet is more restricted than many folks and I have encountered situations when dining out with co-workers where there was nothing on the menu from which I could make a full meal. I've never had to go completely without food, but I have had to settle for an appetizer or side dish and then get something else later. As noted above, if there is nothing on the menu, you can ask for alternatives from the wait staff; I've had mixed luck with that myself. Another proactive approach would be to make sure with your boss that it is too late to find another restaurant, explaining that this restaurant appears to be one where it would be difficult or impossible for you to get food and see if an alternative could be chosen - you might want to be prepared with an alternate or two when you do this. You could also skip the outing if this is a social event instead of a working lunch.

Answer 5

If they are kind to you, go and tell them your eating habits. If they were truly kind, they would go somewhere all the team could eat. But if your coworkers are rude and treat you as a ghost, I would ask to not even go

Answer 6

I would have something delivered. For the purpose of calculating tip, your company can add the cost of your meal to the bill.