Drinking during Lunch?

What are your thoughts on having an alcoholic drink at lunch? This isn't about getting plastered, but enjoying a drink to go with your meal. Also, how is this issue viewed across areas such as Consulting, PE, IBD, S&T, Fortune 500, etc...

14 Comments
 

I'll have a Sam Adams please.

Honestly in my experience it hasn't been a big deal - just don't be the only one to order booze. Hold off until you're familiar with your group and get a feel for what the culture is like.

 
Best Response

Depends on the group rationale (for IB). If your group is very cohesive and occasionally goes out to lunch and has a drink, not a big deal. If, however, you've never seen it done, or the group is more about business or never takes lunches that are out of the building, I would not try to start the trend. Additionally, if you are out to lunch with your group, or a part of your group, if you are not the senior banker at the table, do not be the first to order the drink - always wait for the senior banker - whether you are out with another analyst and an associate, or out with an associate, VP and other junior guys, wait for the senior banker to order first (associate in the first case and VP in the second). Once a senior banker makes the order, it shouldn't be a big deal to have a drink yourself - just remember, moderation is key, which usually means no more than a beer.

Bottom line, this is not a general rule for a profession, but rather completely on a group to group basis - feel out your team, and judge from there. Obviously if your team never goes out to lunch out of the office, then you can't have any drinks during lunch.

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There's three other analysts in the office that I go out to bars with every once in a while, and obviously we have our stories. Aside from that (or if you work at Bain) its a really good rule of thumb just to avoid drinking in front of senior people. I guess one of our admins thats been here for 5+ years gets blitzed at almost every company event, & she is not very respected. Just ask for ice tea at lunch, if they press you to have one then go ahead. Better to error on the side of caution with that type of stuff.

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would it be the same advice if we were talking about a glass of wine? i realize it's not the best fit for the usual lunch break, but say for some reason the lunch place has wine and something to eat that doesn't look too out of place next to a glass of red... would it look ... weird? overdoing it?

"... then, lobbest thou thy Holy Hand Grenade of Antioch towards thy foe, who, being naughty in My sight, shall snuff it."
 
dagrowould it be the same advice if we were talking about a glass of wine? i realize it's not the best fit for the usual lunch break, but say for some reason the lunch place has wine and something to eat that doesn't look too out of place next to a glass of red... would it look ... weird? overdoing it?

I think you guys are seriously overestimating the amount of lunches eaten away from your desk. For the once or twice a month you do get out of the office, I'm really not sure why it matters.

 

This isn't the 50's. Save it for after work. Too much risk involved, especially if you're the junior person. Even if the senior banker orders a drink, I'd still encourage you not to order a beer or glass of wine, unless they really encouraged you to do so.. If you're out with your friends, don't do it. People will smell it on your breath or see you at lunch and it just looks bad.

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wow doing business is fucking boring now. Where are the days when you had 3 martini lunches? Drank scotch in your office? And banged your hot secretary?

 

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