Getting hate for my lunch
Hi fellow monkeys. I just started a first year analyst role at a BB coverage group and I am a super picky eater. Ever since I was a kid, my mom forced me to try new foods, but I just couldn't get it down. This has started to become a bigger issue in my life as I have gotten older, for example: ordering chicken tenders on a date. Now this seems to be an insecurity of mine at work. I have always eaten YoCrunch yogurts for lunch, and it feels embarrassing pouring the M&M's into the vanilla yogurt as all my colleagues pull out their Cava. I have started to notice weird looks from colleagues and wanted to see what other picky eaters have done to solve this issue. Will this affect my bonus/exit ops?
Based on the most helpful WSO content, your lunch choices are unlikely to directly affect your bonus or exit opportunities, but perception in the workplace does matter. Here’s how you can navigate this situation:
Blend In Without Compromising Too Much: While you don’t need to overhaul your eating habits, consider opting for something that feels more "neutral" in a professional setting. For example, you could try simple sandwiches, wraps, or salads that align with your preferences but don’t draw as much attention.
Confidence is Key: If you stick with your YoCrunch, own it. Confidence can often override any initial judgment. People are less likely to comment if you seem comfortable with your choices.
Social Dynamics Matter: Lunch is often a subtle way to bond with colleagues. If your team frequently eats together or orders from the same places, try to participate occasionally. Even if you don’t love the food, it shows you’re making an effort to be part of the group.
Don’t Overthink It: Weird looks or comments might feel amplified because of your insecurity, but most colleagues are likely too busy to care deeply about your lunch. Focus on your work and building relationships instead.
Exit Ops and Bonus: These are primarily tied to your performance, attitude, and relationships with your team. As long as you’re delivering quality work and maintaining a good rapport, your lunch habits won’t derail your career.
If you’re still feeling self-conscious, you could try eating your yogurt discreetly or during a break when fewer people are around. But remember, the most important thing is your work ethic and how you contribute to the team.
Sources: AN2 is Paradise, Three Things You Didn't Know About Becoming A Rock-Star Analyst, Dealing with a terrible bonus?, Fired as 1st year analyst?, 1st Year Analysts Quitting?
You really made an account just to post this
God, mentioning M&Ms reminds me of my old MD who was obsessed with the smurfs. He had a huge jar of only blue M&Ms on his desk all the time. And how did he get this? He’d buy tons of bags and make the SAs or An1s pick out all the blue ones for him. So don’t worry, you could be much weirder.
this is the content i browse wso for
Did they were gloves??
I would think it’s more like one of those monkey chopstick sorting videos iyk what I’m talking about. Like rice sorting
Lmfao. If true, this is really funny.
Sounds like autism.
what did retarded kids do in 1200 bc when you didn't have a choice but to eat whatever there was?
I believe they just left them to die back then.
As a childhood picky eater, you gotta grow up bro. Like I'm still picky but you can grab something other than a yoghurt surely...
Life throws many challenges your way, some you can predict and many you cannot.
This is not one of those challenges. This is a choice. Choosing a specific diet for health benefits or dietary restrictions is expected, but not adjusting or growing in your habits as fundamental as food consumption is incredibly odd.
Lean into it and don't be so insecure about it. If you like it and have always eaten it for lunch, keep eating it. I personally think its hilarious. If you get some weird looks make a joke about it. Reminds me of some friends I have that I get a kick out of but I thought were not for public consumption and was nervous to bring them into different crowds and they killed because they lean into their quirkiness and aren't insecure about it. Be more like them.
And no it won't affect your bonus, and if it does, good luck cuz you're gonna need it working with all those stiffs.
I’d never had cava or naya when I first started - said screw it and tried it one day. Started out with a bowl of literally just chicken and rice… now I eat cava like twice a week. Gotta start somewhere - give it a shot. F*** chipotle though, ackman skimps out on the protein
what happened to finance chads why is everyone a fucking weirdo now
Because you need to have a 4.0 gpa and recruit three years in advance to even have a shot at landing these jobs.
This. It ain't the 90s anymore. Gettin' nerdier by the year.
My grandfather was CEO of a large-ish company. He always had 2 massive jars of banana laffy taffy and Swedish fish on his desk. As a kid I always thought that was so cool.
When I read this I thought you'd be microwaving canned tuna or some shit. Feel like in the grand scheme of things it's fine?
Freshman year of college some moron microwaved a can of tuna and didn't take it out of the can (or take the lid off) anyway, I was woken up by the fire alarm and the shared microwave smelled like tuna the rest of the year
Just the microwave reeked?!?
we gotta go back to nepo hiring this is out of control
The price of meritocracy
mandatory from now on to have the final interview round at a restaurant
also good test for communist inclinations, you know, in case he goes full Mamdani on the plate
You can't get much more radical than putting m&ms in yogurt. No way you are going to get a bonus
Your exit ops are the least of your problems.
Grow up.
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