FOR some employees their favourite ‘workstation’ is the lunch/dining room. It is at this place they are brought up to speed on the happenings within the organisation as well as elsewhere within and outside of the country. At the lunch table, topics vary from politics, the economy, religion, relationships, crime and violence, children of employees to school challenges and sex.

Depending on which table you sit, the topics for discussion will be pre-determined. Some tables, for example, are known as the ‘blender and mix up tables’. It is at these tables you get the latest scoop on the personal lives of politicians, entertainers, business people and any public figure. The chief spokesman/woman speaks with much passion and confidence that you would believe that they are personal friends of the people they are gossiping.

If you are entering the lunch room for the first time, it would not be difficult to determine which is the ‘mix up’ table as they tend to be noisy with raucous laughter and loud talking. The members of the ‘mix up’ crew cut right across all socio-economic backgrounds and is made upof both males and females. There is no particular age range either.

To qualify for membership of the ‘mix up’ crew, you have to first possess the ability to share your mix up in a convincing manner. You may have to twist the truth a little bit just to make sure the story is sensational.

One of the challenges of these lunchtime sessions is that a member may return to their desks late as it is difficult to tear themselves from the group in the middle of a highly intense discussion. This, of course, can cause interpersonal conflicts especially if someone is waiting on you to relieve them for lunch. It is bad enough when you are on the road but when you are actually on the compound in the lunch room ‘a give laugh fi peas soup’, that is being insensitive and may instigate verbal clashes between you and your colleagues.

Here are some lunch room etiquette skills to consider:

1. Avoid using the time to slander and scandalise people. In your absence you just might be the subject of discussion.

2. Do not discuss private and confidential matters in this public setting. Walls have ears and you can never tell who is listening at the table next to you.

3. Do not carry tales out of school. Departmental matters ought to remain within the department and not to be ‘pinched’ to your friend in the other department.

4. Avoid topics that are sensitive. Some employees can become quite emotional and may even become violent if they feel extremely offended by something you may have said. Politics and religion are two such topics.

5. Bear in mind that other people share the space and may just want a quiet lunchtime experience. Respect their request if they ask that you tone down the noise level.

6. Keep a track of the time and wind up the discussions in advance of the one hour so that you can go to the restroom if you wish and freshen up to take on the second half of the day. Be even more mindful if you have to relieve someone.

7. If there is a television in the lunch room, remember this is not your house, so don’t ‘hog’ the remote. Compromise must be practised.

8. If you happen to see a copy of the newspaper in the room, as much as you like the features in Career & Education or All Woman, don’t confiscate the paper. It is best you purchase your own copy.

9. Even though it would be acceptable to attend to your cellphone calls at this time, be mindful that the people at your lunch table are not interested in listening to your conversation, so excuse yourself and leave the room.

10. If you have a problem with the meals do not make a scene, seek the appropriate time and place to lodge your complaints.

Wayne A Powell is a human resource professional. He may be contacted at crisscounsellor@yahoo.com.