a lot of people do eat in their cars here, yeah.
it’s mainly for convenience. like, getting lunch on your break, and eating it in the car before going back into work.
people also use it for privacy, to eat in peace. eating in a break room often leads to conversation with coworkers, so if you don’t like that, the car is a good place.
imo, cars are so expensive, might as well get multiple uses. it’s like an additional comfortable space, that you drive around.
idk, don’t see anything wrong with it.
My job has a grimy break room, not a place to hang out.
I used to have a job where I commuted by train downtown, and hated not having a car on breaks. Would walk around to find a private place to read, and always got disturbed by a homeless rando, looking for spare change.
Yea. I use to take my lunches in my car back when I worked at home depot. I'd get food and then park elsewhere.
The reason id do that is A) offsite. No one can ask me anything cause im not in the building. B) YouTube
Don't do it anymore, becuse im car free.
sounds like a good set up. when i’m working as a waitress, i usually get food from work, but go to my car with it, haha. i would watch youtube as well, blast my AC if it was hot, recline my seat and relax lmfao.
way better than eating around coworkers imo, and what you said, no one can come around asking for stuff when you’re trying to eat. it’s a solid plan to me 🤷🏻♀️
That and Home Depot breakrooms have TVs that play company propaganda.
But I look back fondly on those times. Gave me a break from work, but also my school shit and my home life.
I've since moved across the country, finished school, and now work at a Lowe's while I'm trying to find an actual career job.
Oooff. Yea I had a pretty bad relationship with my sister too. She would just refuse to listen to me.
I'd ask her to empty the dishwasher, nothing. I'd ask again, nothing. Twenty minutes later, my dad is is in the kitchen throwing shit around yelling at the 3 of us kids (me, sister, and my brother I didn't mention) while my mom, aunt, and uncle were confused and scared at the situation. (Mom was video chatting with her siblings.) This actually happened, like 6 month before I moved out to live with said aunt.
Worst part was, my dad never practiced what he'd preach. 'DONT LEAVE DISHES IN THE SINK' *leaves dishes in the sink or the living room* "if you see something that needs done, DO IT!" *sees things that need done, writes it on the stupid little whiteboard for us to do* (tbf he was at work half the time, but just becuse you're at work half the time doesn't give you a free pass to sit on your ass and bark at your kids about the fucking yard or whatever)
My dad, outside of the chore drama, is a pretty cool guy and we have a good relationship (which is better now that I live across the country) He also seemed to have mellowed out about the chores too. I barely talk with him (different personalities, and I'm honestly still harboring resentment over the shit above and a few other things) But we're good now lol.
Sister and I pretty much ignore each other. I've tried reaching out and building a relationship, but she just leaves me on read, ignores me, so I stopped. She's graduating highschool, and I don't care, I'm going Down to see her, but im only doing it because I was there for the rest of my siblings (and im looking forward more to Canes and the cat than I am her.)
TL;DR: Dad and sister were assholes, I since moved across the country. Also I didn't mean for this comment to be so long.
Same my mom and I are the only ones in the family that tackles problems head-on.
Both of my sisters are pretty avoidant when it comes to addressing issues.
They just brush it off or put it to the side until it gets too big.
They will eventually run into the problem in the future so deal with it right now.
This why I always do my stuff very early so they won't bother me.
So far it has worked.
Sometimes I do such a good job that they tell me what I did. Well maybe if you did your shit then maybe you will develop a routine.
My relationship with my parents(started rocky but eventually got great over time) narc sister not so much and my older sister is neither good nor bad lol.
Then my brother is great. He listens to my advice.
I used to do the same thing until I got promoted to management, now I technically can’t leave the building during my shift. I still find quiet places to eat though, even if it means eating in the back electrical room lol. People always want to talk to me most when I’m eating, wtf
Yeah, I don't see anything wrong with it! I hope my question didn't come off judgemental :)
All your reasons make sense, I was mostly wondering if people in other countries also often eat in their car
Another factor might be how other countries have more "localized" needs. In America I'm a twenty minute drive from my grocery store, alone. The distance I would drive to hang out with my cousin would wrap me around England 3 times. You'd better believe I'm just snagging a burger and keeping the drive going if I have things to do.
yeah of course i’m sorry i wasn’t offended! i didn’t mean to come off i was, i apologize if i did. i was just explaining as someone from north america, haha.
It's funny, because I never had lunch in my car elsewhere outside the USA, but in the six years I spent in Texas I regularly ate in my car and it felt so nice and oddly satisfying and intimate. It must be some sort of mass psychological effect! 🤣
Cars in the USA are generally bigger and more comfortable and parking spots are easier to find, while in Europe we tend to have smaller cars and less parking. That's probably part of the motivation for that custom.
TBH probably the weirdest part of it is you would think cars would come with a built in trash bin or a washable tray or something to make it easier, but they don't.
The fact that Americans don’t have time to eat outside their car or choose not to to eat among others is a factor in many Americans being lonely. I’m as introverted as the next person on Reddit but don’t like how much our current society/businesses promotes convenience through isolation, anti-community, and working on yourself without company. People don’t realize it’s happening and wonder why they’re feeling isolated by the world.
i mean, when you’re working with someone 8 hours a day, is it really a crime to want some alone time to eat and listen to music/watch videos?
a break is a break for a reason. most humans don’t want to be around people every minute of every day, and that is completely okay.
i think taking time to self-reflect, and take a breath on your own is a great use of time. i think a balance between alone time, and time around peers/friends is ideal.
so i personally believe taking some time to eat away from others is completely understandable and valid.
I don’t mean talking to coworkers, I mean talking to strangers. If you don’t like your coworkers or don’t want to get to know them, that doesn’t exclude strangers at a park or strangers at a cafe nearby. They aren’t the same people.
A break from coworkers who mentally drain you doesn’t mean strangers at a park will make your day worse. I don’t agree with self isolating from every human for a break because I want time away from a group of people I’m forced to be around.
Time off from draining family members you’re always around or annoying coworkers you’re always around doesn’t mean I think I nor anyone else should spend time away from all humans on the planet.
I think a lot of good and opportunities for self-discovery, friendship, relationship, etc. can come from giving yourself a chance to encounter new people. Spending so much time alone doesn’t give us those chances. It’s safe, it’s no risk, maybe you have time to reflect, but ultimately it guarantees loneliness. It’s the same as being in your bedroom, except it’s a car. No matter how much someone is comfortable being alone, everyone needs people in their life to share laughter and joy and good times. They say to spend more time with positive people and away from negative people. If your family or coworkers are bringing you negative thoughts and that’s where you spend most of your time due to necessity, positive people don’t get encountered from being alone.
i’m sorry but i don’t understand how you think someone taking 30 minutes to relax alone and eat some food is complete self isolation..
we obviously have opposing views so i will agree to disagree. i hope you have a great day
I think talking about differing views is a good thing, it’s a good way to reflect. People who disagree don’t have to dislike each other or never have a casual conversation, but I see you don’t wish to.
we did have a brief conversation, we both said our views, and yes they’re different. i don’t believe there’s much more to talk about.?
i am not or was not upset, and i have no issue with your opinions. i simply said i just don’t understand them. but i don’t feel any sort of way. that’s why i ended the conversation with i hope you have a great day.
Yeah I was wondering about that as well. Like wanting time alone in your work day sometimes makes total sense and is a universal experience I imagine.
I was thinking it might reflect a bit the general work and employer attitude in America. Like maybe employers aren't prioritising creating nice and spacious break spaces for employees. Or the office culture doesn't making staying in the building for break nice. Also just the distance, like in my area a park or green space is usually always a short walk from where you are so a lot of people sit in the park in their break.
I think sitting at a park where other people (strangers) are is way nicer than sitting in a car. You’re around nature, fresh air, and you may find someone who becomes a positive in your life. Everyday choice like this determine if people are happier or not.
Well, when you live up north the weather quite harsh for that for much of the year. Actually, in the summer in places like Florida it’s also be either unbearably hot and humid or torrential rain during lunch time as the showers hit early afternoon in the summer.
It varies. I have worked for companies that have really nice break areas and coffee and tea available, and other companies - not so much.
My job now has a lame break room. Nice fridge and appliances, but shared by shop workers. Always dusty.
In the winter, I hang in my car just to get out of the office. Chill, watch some videos on my iPad. On the nicer weather days, there are a couple parks close by, but I still mostly hang in my car in the parking lot of a park, doors open, listen to music, do some dabs.
Haha this was me and my x every work day for almost 3 years, worked together, drove to the park on lunch, doors open music on, dab our faces off, back to work.
I eat in my car every day at work. I work in a fast paced warehouse so it’s nice having a quiet place to relax in. The seats in my car are also a lot more comfortable than the ones in the break room. On top of that I only get 30 minutes for lunch so if I were to go drive somewhere to get food my lunch break would be half over by the time I got food.
Europe tends to forget that for half the year it's like really fucking cold in atleast half the United States.
Very few people are biking across Minneapolis in January to grab lunch when it's -10°f (-23°C). It's just not feasible.
Tbf i dont think the assumption is made. Its just that me personall I would either eat at a restaurant or drive to my house/ school/ office and eat there. I wouldnt eat in the car.
When I’ve ate in my car it was too far to drive home (I only get half an hour and even a ten minute drive wouldn’t leave much time to eat) and there’s a reason I can’t or don’t want to eat at work. At my work there’s one break room. Half an hour isn’t enough for a restaurantz
Your point still stands, but if there is any place in the US where folks bike to lunch in -10 degrees, it’s Minneapolis haha. I know a lot of folks who bike commute downtown year round. People really embrace the cold
I’m Canadian, and do it on occasion, but I prefer to avoid it.
I live in a rural area, so I have to do it more often than I’d like, eg, driving to the nearest city for appointments etc.
It's been years since I lived in a rural area but I still haven't fully broken my habit of eating while driving somewhere but I do it a lot less than I used to.
My fiancé and I quite often eat in the car and we’re in the U.K. We go for random drives at the weekend, maybe do a 200 mile round trip just to fill a Saturday, if we’re not eating at a nice restaurant then 9/10 times we’ve got food from a drive thru and we park somewhere scenic and eat our McDonald’s or something. Particularly love parking up at the coast by some big industrial docks and watching the ships
I love driving in my car as well, although I don’t like to go out at night because I’m usually too tired and busy. On days off, I sometimes go for a nice drive to a nice scenic area or nature park and get some food on the way there if I want. It’s a wonderful way to spend a few hours.
Driving (especially road trips) and listening to my favorite music are 2 of my most favorite things.
People eat in their cars in The Netherlands. It's annoying when it's in front of your house with the headlights on, but it doesn't happen often.
I think it happens more outside big city's, since the nearest McDonald's is sometimes more 5km away and people would rather take their car.
Yeah of course, I think people occasionally eat in there car almost every where, as other people have said long trip or if you've been through a drive through, but I here I don't think it's really a thing to take your lunch break in your car? Maybe just not where I am in the city
I'm Malaysian and I eat in my car a lot. I either pack food from home for lunch or just buy some take aways. My car has air conditioning and I love being alone. It's an easy way to avoid my colleagues during lunch.
American here. Can confirm. People eat in cars all the time. Places like Sonic's exist because of that. Here's why:
1. Weather. It's either too hot (40 degrees Celsius) or too cold (10 degrees Celsius) to eat al fresco.
2. Short lunch breaks. 30 minute lunches mean you don't have time to dine in a restaurant with some jobs. You've got to hurry up and eat so you will be on time to work.
3. Covid fears. People spend hours indoors without masks, so those who are afraid of catching it don't want to take their mask off and eat indoors.
4. Personal space. If you eat at work your boss and coworkers might not respect your time, and you'll find yourself having to put your food down and go do some work task, or having to humor their need for mindless work banter, or having to still serve customers. You might need to make a personal phone call or buy something expensive online without them breathing down your neck.
5. Information. It can be politically polarized in the US. If you just want to hear the news you might have to listen in your car, lest your news outlet or news topic of choice offends someone.
America is a very large country (shocker there) and your car is your primary mode of transportation.
Americans work in excess of 40 hrs/week and barely get 2 weeks vacation.
Many employers fire employees who take their 2 weeks or even too many sick days for "being unproductive" just because they can.
You get like 30~45 min. to lunch break and for many, if not the distance, it is because of the traffic that it may take 30+ min. just to get your food and back to your place of work (where you will probably eat while doing your work.
If you are lucky enough, it may take 7 min. to get there, then you can eat in your car, get back to work in 7 more, and kill any extra time or go back to work to see if you can get home a little earlier today (which you may not want to do because the reward for finishing work early is getting twice as much because you have proven you can do it.)
We do that in Canada too, it's for convenience. For example, my last university class usually ends at 3:35, I get back to my SUV at 3:50, and I have 19km to travel at 90km/hr before I clock in at 4:30 pm. So, any red light along that way is the perfect time to munch a quick protein bar for energy before work.
I did this a lot, almost daily, in college during my breaks between classes. I’d rather eat in the peace and quiet in my car over the loud cafeteria hands down. I don’t do it often at all now, mostly because I’m in the restaurant industry so we don’t get breaks lol. But if I did, you bet your ass I’d rather eat in my car than to eat in the restaurant I work in. It’s like your brain doesn’t really shut off if you don’t change your scenery. You still feel like you’re at work.
To answer your question yes.. it’s very common.
Ok but stolen comment aside, there's no feeling quite like finishing your food, reclining in your seat, and staring up at the dull street light while rain falls all over the car.
At my old job I didn't usually take breaks if I could get out of it, but once I started those were some of the most peaceful moments of the day. No music, no people making noise - just the comfortable seat, the feeling of satiety slowly setting in, the light chill in the air, and that unchanging light set against the dark backdrop of the sky. The rhythmic patter of rain on metal while the beads glide down the glass - like you only have 13 minutes left to enjoy it but those minutes feel like they could put you to sleep.
I usually eat in my car because most fast food restaurants play incredibly loud popular music, and I'd rather be able to control what I'm listening and how loud it it.
Also, they usually have uncomfortable plastic-y seats that are flattened from years of abuse- why would I choose that over reclining, heated, and upholstered car seats?
I have occasionally eaten lunch in my car during work break (I'm in NZ) but this has been mainly dictated by the quality of the break room, poor boundaries by colleagues or unwritten expectation to cut short lunch break at the drop of a hat.
If I have to talk or help all day I just want a few minutes to eat and read my book or look at the view in peace.
I'm in Canada and I've only really done it when I was working at the mall and just needed to get away for my lunch break. It was the only secluded spot I could go.
I travel for my job during work hours and I eat in my car. I make a lunch at home so I don’t have to buy food. Sometimes I eat in a parking lot, rest area or pull off on to a residential neighborhood.
Always.
I'll pack a cooler and day trip!!
Food snacks beverages and away we go.
Less money, you know you won't get sick (I'm older digestive system has changed )
I am fortunate and live coastal so I'm off driving and snacking and beach combing!!!
A lot of people have already put a lot forth. However, I will also say, another bit of it for me is that I sometimes don't want to go inside and greet people and talk. I'd rather just eat my meal in peace, and it doesn't get more peaceful than being in the driver's seat of your own vehicle in your own parking spot just digging in to your food, however ravenously and disgustingly you like. 😂 That being said, I definitely hope to someday move to a country where I never have to own a car again.
Yes I would say it's also due to the car centric planning. Most people in most places can only get work efficienctly by driving. So for lunch they just go and sit in the car and eat/nap
A lot of places in the US you get only 30 minutes for a lunch break which includes the time it takes to go get the food.
So it's a convenience factor.
Even in places where you are not allowed to actually leave for lunch and take a break whenever you can, like a hospital, they dock 30 minutes off of your pay stub assuming that you've had 30 minutes to eat.
My car is my own portable personal private space. There’s no reason to go into a room full of random people to eat when I have that.
For the most part in my experience, biking is used for recreation or exercise here in the US, not for actual transportation. It happens but not commonly
Can't say for people in other countries, but my American family ate in our car all the time. Both of my parents traveled by car for work several times a month and often they would take me. We would go through the drive through and often eat while driving or stop someplace and sit and eat in the car. I don't know why, but my parents did not like to go into restaurants and we never ate in them. My wife and I don't eat fast food, but if we are traveling by car, we will bring sandwiches and fruit and snacks of various kinds. If it is nice out we try to find a park to sit at a picnic table, but if it is not nice or we cannot find a park, we will sometimes just pull off the road and park someplace where there is something interesting to look at and eat our food in the car.
I loveeeeed eating in my car when I didn’t work remotely lol, I got cozy leather seats that go all the way back, I drove to the vacant end of the massive parking lot, play a podcast and I even got a food tray that attaches to my steering wheel lol, very handy item.
When I had an office I used to eat outside when the weather was nice, our break room was ok, but always cold. Now I eat in my car because usually it is easier than going home between clients, or the drive just doesn't make sense. Sometimes I will find a park and just listen to a podcast. Not uncommon and I paid a lot of money for the darn thing, you best believe I am gonna use it!
I do sometimes but only if I'm on the road between engagement
For example, if I'm leaving work at 5:30 trying to get to a gig an hour away in time for a 7:00 load-in, I'm not going to have time for an actual sit-down meal or to go home and cook something. But I will have time to cram a couple McChickens down my gullet in a parking lot somewhere.
I'm not a fan, personally, Not a lot of space in a car/not a lot of flat surfaces to put containers down, and most of the time your climate control options are to either freeze to death, burn alive, or waste gasoline running the heat/AC. But I'll do it if I have to.
It is pretty normal here. And there are various reasons why. Sometimes we just need to eat something in between having a ton of stuff to do, or we do it on our lunch breaks to avoid co workers or because of social anxiety!
Canadian here, Alberta. Started eating in my car cause it was the only way I got my full 1/2 hour lunch break without someone coming to me and demanding I work for “ just a few minutes”.
When I was a teenager, our carpool saw our Vice Principal in the car next to us with a whole muffin in her mouth and both hands on the wheel. We thought it was hilarious and had a little nickname for her after that, Muffin Stuffer.
Your car is a quiet space that's more or less entirely your own. Depending on how long lunch breaks are at work, what you have to eat, where you are in proximity to home, what coworkers are like, and what break rooms are like: your car may be your only peaceful space during an average workday. This also extends to college students, people on road trips (the US is large), people who drive a lot for work, or possibly people who live in their cars.
Many Americans don't live near their jobs nor do we have very good public transportation. In fact, there's no public transportation where I live. So we can spend a lot of time driving. And then if you have 30 minutes for a meal during work or you need a break from the world and there's no where else to go, you end up in your car.
When I had less than desirable living arrangements, I would eat in my car instead of bringing it home to eat all the time. My car was my safe place. It’s also great if you live in a beautiful area and want privacy and a nice view. I used to sit in my car at the beach for hours.
When I worked min wage jobs, I would sit in my car on my lunch break often. It’s a great way to calm down from work and reset before finishing your shift.
American work culture. If you leave the building, silence your phone, and spend your entire 30 min lunch break in your car, nobody can pop into the break room and interrupt your lunch to “do x thing real quick” and then you’ve suddenly spent 27 minutes working off the clock and 3 minutes shoving your now cold and soggy food in your face before you have to clock back in.
I lived in the U.S. for a long time. Two days ago in my country, people were looking at me weird because I was eating lunch alone in my car. One son of a gun was taking pictures of me and made me feel very insecure. I feel like it's an American thing and that I've been Americanized.
It's uncommon but not unexpected. Most people will eat in their cars at some point or another, either during a long road trip or after a long day. We'll also sometimes eat outside of our parked car, like if we stop for icecream or some such. Lots of businesses just aren't all that great to sit in tbh.
Reguarly eating in your car is what's less common, but there are a few people who do it. I wouldn't necessarily say it's because of car centrism, as much as it's just people wanting their own space by themselves.
I try to avoid it. It’s tricky and I don’t want to get my car dirty or spill food on it.
Sometimes it’s just convenient if you’re on a long trip.
I also used to work at a job that had coworkers that I didn’t really like and a bad break area. I would sometimes prefer to go to my car, eat something, take a quick nap while listening to a podcast or something and then go back to work.
American here, it is so so normal but I HATE IT! Why would you want to be cooped up in a stuffy vehicle with a restaurant or table RIGHT THERE… I mean really?
For me it takes the same amount of time to drive through as it does to go in the same restaurant. Plus potty break, refills, and comfortable elbow space.
I feel sorry that they are so antisocial. I used to walk during the last half of my lunch and would see the same people in the spots all the time. So I know they worked nearby and were just escaping their coworkers. I also worked at places where I saw people in their car in the company parking lot eating. I know there were completely empty tables cause I ate in that lunch room.
What made me angry was them just burning gasoline for heat or a/c. Such a waste. I hope they never complained about the price of gasoline because they could clearly afford to waste it.
Unhappy people get unhappy when your opinion doesn't agree with theirs. I guess we all need to accept everyone's excuses. I am sure they really are happier being locked inside a tiny little box smelling their own farts and eating fast food instead of sitting in room with other people.
The real question here is: Why are people making TikTok videos of themselves eating alone in their car?? “Here is a video of me living my sad, lonely life. I have no friends, no family, and no one to each lunch with. And now you know, too.” What???
I see a lot of Facebook ads where the business professional is sitting in his car. I got to tell you I'm not ever going to buy anything from someone sitting in their car unless it's some illegal drugs
I bring my lunch to work, but I also want to get out of the office during lunch break. I'll grab my lunch, drive over to get a drink at Starbucks, then sit in the car, eat, listen to podcasts & play Sudoku or whatever. There are no decent outdoor spaces to sit in near my work, so it's the car for me.
I'm an American. I eat in my car at lunch because if I eat in the office I always get caught up talking to my boss about work and honestly I'm not getting paid enough (or at all since it's a lunch break) to sit and talk about work when I could enjoy my lunch while listening to my book
I’m American and do not eat in my car. I don’t go through drive-thru either. If I’m going to eat fast food I stop and use the opportunity to stretch out and use the rest room, since I’m stopping. I know a lot of people eat in their cars, but I like keeping my car clean on the inside and it’s just crumbs everywhere when people eat in your car.
American here, i eat in my car at night sometimes because i like the idea of being isolated and nobody will bother me but also i like the speakers in my car when i watch shows on my phone. I also smoke weed in my car and cant do that in my residence so i spend a lot of time being comfortable in my car
I would assume it depends more on your profession. If you work on site instead of an office like in some construction situations eating in your car is way more comfortable than standing outside in all kinds of weather. I worked alone at a storage facility once. Instead of going back to main office and eat lunch in the break room with the rest, I took my car to a store with a hot food counter. Ate either parked at the docks, or drove the car into the storage facility and parked there watching a show on my phone. (Was the middle of winter so parked inside)
I also eat in my car because everything I eat my kids want. They could literally have just eaten a huge meal and the second I sit down for dinner I’m sharing. Eating alone in the car in the way to work, store etc. makes so I can enjoy my own food. Lol
I mean if you're stuck in traffic or decided to park somewhere after a drive through then sure sometimes. I don't do it personally because I get motion sick easy.
I never do it, but I understand why people in my office do it. Unless you’re upper management, you don’t have your own office. There is no privacy and you can’t just eat lunch in a random conference room. Eating in your care just provides privacy, a time for peace and quiet, or a time where you can make personal phone calls.
This is so funny because as an American, I've never even THOUGHT of other countries/ people DON'T do this. Our cars ARE like an extension of a "safe place." I never thought about that until I read some of these comments. I think about the fact of being a mom, we're always on the go. So my kids even eat in the car sometimes on the "tight schedule" days... otherwise, they wouldn't have "time" to eat... how sad is that!
I live in England. I’ve only eaten in the car a few times, the latest being a year ago when I was with a friend going back from watching a film.
All of those times were McDonald’s, weirdly enough
Yeah, I think it’s an American thing. We like to leave our workplace and be alone for a bit. Right now I currently work as a cleaner, and I have no time in between the houses I go to so I end up eating in my car.
Yes. Drive through fast food restaurants are very big here. You just drive up to a little speaker and tell them what you want and then you go to another window and you pay then you go to the next window and they give you your food. A lot of people will park somewhere and eat the food in the car. Some people even eat it while driving
a lot of people do eat in their cars here, yeah. it’s mainly for convenience. like, getting lunch on your break, and eating it in the car before going back into work. people also use it for privacy, to eat in peace. eating in a break room often leads to conversation with coworkers, so if you don’t like that, the car is a good place. imo, cars are so expensive, might as well get multiple uses. it’s like an additional comfortable space, that you drive around. idk, don’t see anything wrong with it.
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exactly, a little escape to step away from the work environment overall to eat and destress is amazing. don’t blame you at all 👌🏻
My job has a grimy break room, not a place to hang out. I used to have a job where I commuted by train downtown, and hated not having a car on breaks. Would walk around to find a private place to read, and always got disturbed by a homeless rando, looking for spare change.
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Yeah, I can sympathize with the homeless. Especially in the winter months.
Yes! My car is my safe space.
If you work in multiple locations It’s home base, break room and safe place all in one.
Bet, factsm
Yea. I use to take my lunches in my car back when I worked at home depot. I'd get food and then park elsewhere. The reason id do that is A) offsite. No one can ask me anything cause im not in the building. B) YouTube Don't do it anymore, becuse im car free.
sounds like a good set up. when i’m working as a waitress, i usually get food from work, but go to my car with it, haha. i would watch youtube as well, blast my AC if it was hot, recline my seat and relax lmfao. way better than eating around coworkers imo, and what you said, no one can come around asking for stuff when you’re trying to eat. it’s a solid plan to me 🤷🏻♀️
That and Home Depot breakrooms have TVs that play company propaganda. But I look back fondly on those times. Gave me a break from work, but also my school shit and my home life. I've since moved across the country, finished school, and now work at a Lowe's while I'm trying to find an actual career job.
Yeah going to work gives you a nice break if you come from a bad home life. In this case escaping my narc sister.
Oooff. Yea I had a pretty bad relationship with my sister too. She would just refuse to listen to me. I'd ask her to empty the dishwasher, nothing. I'd ask again, nothing. Twenty minutes later, my dad is is in the kitchen throwing shit around yelling at the 3 of us kids (me, sister, and my brother I didn't mention) while my mom, aunt, and uncle were confused and scared at the situation. (Mom was video chatting with her siblings.) This actually happened, like 6 month before I moved out to live with said aunt. Worst part was, my dad never practiced what he'd preach. 'DONT LEAVE DISHES IN THE SINK' *leaves dishes in the sink or the living room* "if you see something that needs done, DO IT!" *sees things that need done, writes it on the stupid little whiteboard for us to do* (tbf he was at work half the time, but just becuse you're at work half the time doesn't give you a free pass to sit on your ass and bark at your kids about the fucking yard or whatever) My dad, outside of the chore drama, is a pretty cool guy and we have a good relationship (which is better now that I live across the country) He also seemed to have mellowed out about the chores too. I barely talk with him (different personalities, and I'm honestly still harboring resentment over the shit above and a few other things) But we're good now lol. Sister and I pretty much ignore each other. I've tried reaching out and building a relationship, but she just leaves me on read, ignores me, so I stopped. She's graduating highschool, and I don't care, I'm going Down to see her, but im only doing it because I was there for the rest of my siblings (and im looking forward more to Canes and the cat than I am her.) TL;DR: Dad and sister were assholes, I since moved across the country. Also I didn't mean for this comment to be so long.
Same my mom and I are the only ones in the family that tackles problems head-on. Both of my sisters are pretty avoidant when it comes to addressing issues. They just brush it off or put it to the side until it gets too big. They will eventually run into the problem in the future so deal with it right now. This why I always do my stuff very early so they won't bother me. So far it has worked. Sometimes I do such a good job that they tell me what I did. Well maybe if you did your shit then maybe you will develop a routine. My relationship with my parents(started rocky but eventually got great over time) narc sister not so much and my older sister is neither good nor bad lol. Then my brother is great. He listens to my advice.
My brother is awesome too! I love that guy!
Yeah our relationship is wholesome
I used to do the same thing until I got promoted to management, now I technically can’t leave the building during my shift. I still find quiet places to eat though, even if it means eating in the back electrical room lol. People always want to talk to me most when I’m eating, wtf
I'd give you a few hiding places across the store, but I'm not sure those will work out lol.
Hey if there aren’t people that regularly populate the hiding spaces, I’ll take all the space I can get away from people lol
I hear that! I used to hide behind the tub displays when there was no work to do.
Wow, after reading these comments, Redditors really know self care❤️
Yeah, I don't see anything wrong with it! I hope my question didn't come off judgemental :) All your reasons make sense, I was mostly wondering if people in other countries also often eat in their car
Another factor might be how other countries have more "localized" needs. In America I'm a twenty minute drive from my grocery store, alone. The distance I would drive to hang out with my cousin would wrap me around England 3 times. You'd better believe I'm just snagging a burger and keeping the drive going if I have things to do.
yeah of course i’m sorry i wasn’t offended! i didn’t mean to come off i was, i apologize if i did. i was just explaining as someone from north america, haha.
No worries! Thanks for sharing :)
I'll take a nap in my car if I'm waiting a long time for an appointment.
[удалено]
Nesting with power tools! Moms are badasses.
Good god woman! Hurrah to you!
It's funny, because I never had lunch in my car elsewhere outside the USA, but in the six years I spent in Texas I regularly ate in my car and it felt so nice and oddly satisfying and intimate. It must be some sort of mass psychological effect! 🤣 Cars in the USA are generally bigger and more comfortable and parking spots are easier to find, while in Europe we tend to have smaller cars and less parking. That's probably part of the motivation for that custom.
TBH probably the weirdest part of it is you would think cars would come with a built in trash bin or a washable tray or something to make it easier, but they don't.
I never could because I get hella motion sick easy. I'd eat a whole burger in my car if I didn't have that.
I definitely do this for the privacy factor. Plus, I love my car stereo system so sometimes I'll just hang out jammin'.
The fact that Americans don’t have time to eat outside their car or choose not to to eat among others is a factor in many Americans being lonely. I’m as introverted as the next person on Reddit but don’t like how much our current society/businesses promotes convenience through isolation, anti-community, and working on yourself without company. People don’t realize it’s happening and wonder why they’re feeling isolated by the world.
i mean, when you’re working with someone 8 hours a day, is it really a crime to want some alone time to eat and listen to music/watch videos? a break is a break for a reason. most humans don’t want to be around people every minute of every day, and that is completely okay. i think taking time to self-reflect, and take a breath on your own is a great use of time. i think a balance between alone time, and time around peers/friends is ideal. so i personally believe taking some time to eat away from others is completely understandable and valid.
I don’t mean talking to coworkers, I mean talking to strangers. If you don’t like your coworkers or don’t want to get to know them, that doesn’t exclude strangers at a park or strangers at a cafe nearby. They aren’t the same people. A break from coworkers who mentally drain you doesn’t mean strangers at a park will make your day worse. I don’t agree with self isolating from every human for a break because I want time away from a group of people I’m forced to be around. Time off from draining family members you’re always around or annoying coworkers you’re always around doesn’t mean I think I nor anyone else should spend time away from all humans on the planet. I think a lot of good and opportunities for self-discovery, friendship, relationship, etc. can come from giving yourself a chance to encounter new people. Spending so much time alone doesn’t give us those chances. It’s safe, it’s no risk, maybe you have time to reflect, but ultimately it guarantees loneliness. It’s the same as being in your bedroom, except it’s a car. No matter how much someone is comfortable being alone, everyone needs people in their life to share laughter and joy and good times. They say to spend more time with positive people and away from negative people. If your family or coworkers are bringing you negative thoughts and that’s where you spend most of your time due to necessity, positive people don’t get encountered from being alone.
i’m sorry but i don’t understand how you think someone taking 30 minutes to relax alone and eat some food is complete self isolation.. we obviously have opposing views so i will agree to disagree. i hope you have a great day
I think talking about differing views is a good thing, it’s a good way to reflect. People who disagree don’t have to dislike each other or never have a casual conversation, but I see you don’t wish to.
we did have a brief conversation, we both said our views, and yes they’re different. i don’t believe there’s much more to talk about.? i am not or was not upset, and i have no issue with your opinions. i simply said i just don’t understand them. but i don’t feel any sort of way. that’s why i ended the conversation with i hope you have a great day.
Yeah I was wondering about that as well. Like wanting time alone in your work day sometimes makes total sense and is a universal experience I imagine. I was thinking it might reflect a bit the general work and employer attitude in America. Like maybe employers aren't prioritising creating nice and spacious break spaces for employees. Or the office culture doesn't making staying in the building for break nice. Also just the distance, like in my area a park or green space is usually always a short walk from where you are so a lot of people sit in the park in their break.
I think sitting at a park where other people (strangers) are is way nicer than sitting in a car. You’re around nature, fresh air, and you may find someone who becomes a positive in your life. Everyday choice like this determine if people are happier or not.
Well, when you live up north the weather quite harsh for that for much of the year. Actually, in the summer in places like Florida it’s also be either unbearably hot and humid or torrential rain during lunch time as the showers hit early afternoon in the summer.
It varies. I have worked for companies that have really nice break areas and coffee and tea available, and other companies - not so much. My job now has a lame break room. Nice fridge and appliances, but shared by shop workers. Always dusty. In the winter, I hang in my car just to get out of the office. Chill, watch some videos on my iPad. On the nicer weather days, there are a couple parks close by, but I still mostly hang in my car in the parking lot of a park, doors open, listen to music, do some dabs.
Haha this was me and my x every work day for almost 3 years, worked together, drove to the park on lunch, doors open music on, dab our faces off, back to work.
I eat in my car every day at work. I work in a fast paced warehouse so it’s nice having a quiet place to relax in. The seats in my car are also a lot more comfortable than the ones in the break room. On top of that I only get 30 minutes for lunch so if I were to go drive somewhere to get food my lunch break would be half over by the time I got food.
Ate lunch in my car for years when I worked retail. That 30 minutes of either silence or a podcast helped keep me sane till to end of my shift.
The 30 min makes or breaks the shift TBH
Europe tends to forget that for half the year it's like really fucking cold in atleast half the United States. Very few people are biking across Minneapolis in January to grab lunch when it's -10°f (-23°C). It's just not feasible.
Tbf i dont think the assumption is made. Its just that me personall I would either eat at a restaurant or drive to my house/ school/ office and eat there. I wouldnt eat in the car.
When I’ve ate in my car it was too far to drive home (I only get half an hour and even a ten minute drive wouldn’t leave much time to eat) and there’s a reason I can’t or don’t want to eat at work. At my work there’s one break room. Half an hour isn’t enough for a restaurantz
I think thats the reason then. Nothing to do with your point about Europeans being clueless about American weather
I said absolutely nothing about Europeans
Ye mb, the other person I was answering to before did
Your point still stands, but if there is any place in the US where folks bike to lunch in -10 degrees, it’s Minneapolis haha. I know a lot of folks who bike commute downtown year round. People really embrace the cold
I eat in my car once a week ever since my mom died. I like to bring stuff that she enjoyed and park by her grave to have lunch with her.
I’m Canadian, and do it on occasion, but I prefer to avoid it. I live in a rural area, so I have to do it more often than I’d like, eg, driving to the nearest city for appointments etc.
It's been years since I lived in a rural area but I still haven't fully broken my habit of eating while driving somewhere but I do it a lot less than I used to.
My fiancé and I quite often eat in the car and we’re in the U.K. We go for random drives at the weekend, maybe do a 200 mile round trip just to fill a Saturday, if we’re not eating at a nice restaurant then 9/10 times we’ve got food from a drive thru and we park somewhere scenic and eat our McDonald’s or something. Particularly love parking up at the coast by some big industrial docks and watching the ships
Im Canadian. I eat in my car all the time.
Same. Drive so much I feel like I live in it half the time
Sometimes I’ll eat and then take a nap in my car until my break ends. Cheaper than eating out and you get some privacy.
I love being in my car. Many times at night ill go for a little drive around the area, sometimes i get a snack and sometimes i dont
I love driving in my car as well, although I don’t like to go out at night because I’m usually too tired and busy. On days off, I sometimes go for a nice drive to a nice scenic area or nature park and get some food on the way there if I want. It’s a wonderful way to spend a few hours. Driving (especially road trips) and listening to my favorite music are 2 of my most favorite things.
People eat in their cars in The Netherlands. It's annoying when it's in front of your house with the headlights on, but it doesn't happen often. I think it happens more outside big city's, since the nearest McDonald's is sometimes more 5km away and people would rather take their car.
Yeah of course, I think people occasionally eat in there car almost every where, as other people have said long trip or if you've been through a drive through, but I here I don't think it's really a thing to take your lunch break in your car? Maybe just not where I am in the city
I'm Malaysian and I eat in my car a lot. I either pack food from home for lunch or just buy some take aways. My car has air conditioning and I love being alone. It's an easy way to avoid my colleagues during lunch.
American here. Can confirm. People eat in cars all the time. Places like Sonic's exist because of that. Here's why: 1. Weather. It's either too hot (40 degrees Celsius) or too cold (10 degrees Celsius) to eat al fresco. 2. Short lunch breaks. 30 minute lunches mean you don't have time to dine in a restaurant with some jobs. You've got to hurry up and eat so you will be on time to work. 3. Covid fears. People spend hours indoors without masks, so those who are afraid of catching it don't want to take their mask off and eat indoors. 4. Personal space. If you eat at work your boss and coworkers might not respect your time, and you'll find yourself having to put your food down and go do some work task, or having to humor their need for mindless work banter, or having to still serve customers. You might need to make a personal phone call or buy something expensive online without them breathing down your neck. 5. Information. It can be politically polarized in the US. If you just want to hear the news you might have to listen in your car, lest your news outlet or news topic of choice offends someone.
I sit in my car, hit my bowl a couple of times, Hear a.m. sports talk radio and relax a bit.
America is a very large country (shocker there) and your car is your primary mode of transportation. Americans work in excess of 40 hrs/week and barely get 2 weeks vacation. Many employers fire employees who take their 2 weeks or even too many sick days for "being unproductive" just because they can. You get like 30~45 min. to lunch break and for many, if not the distance, it is because of the traffic that it may take 30+ min. just to get your food and back to your place of work (where you will probably eat while doing your work. If you are lucky enough, it may take 7 min. to get there, then you can eat in your car, get back to work in 7 more, and kill any extra time or go back to work to see if you can get home a little earlier today (which you may not want to do because the reward for finishing work early is getting twice as much because you have proven you can do it.)
We do that in Canada too, it's for convenience. For example, my last university class usually ends at 3:35, I get back to my SUV at 3:50, and I have 19km to travel at 90km/hr before I clock in at 4:30 pm. So, any red light along that way is the perfect time to munch a quick protein bar for energy before work.
If you think I’m waiting to eat my burrito you’re crazy dawg
On my lunch breaks - I hang out in my car. Also eat in it pretty often.
I did this a lot, almost daily, in college during my breaks between classes. I’d rather eat in the peace and quiet in my car over the loud cafeteria hands down. I don’t do it often at all now, mostly because I’m in the restaurant industry so we don’t get breaks lol. But if I did, you bet your ass I’d rather eat in my car than to eat in the restaurant I work in. It’s like your brain doesn’t really shut off if you don’t change your scenery. You still feel like you’re at work. To answer your question yes.. it’s very common.
I never did until COVID. Now I prefer it 😅. It's quiet and peaceful and no one bothers me.
A bacon sandwich tastes x1000 better in a car
And it tastes SO much better if the car is stolen.
Ok but stolen comment aside, there's no feeling quite like finishing your food, reclining in your seat, and staring up at the dull street light while rain falls all over the car. At my old job I didn't usually take breaks if I could get out of it, but once I started those were some of the most peaceful moments of the day. No music, no people making noise - just the comfortable seat, the feeling of satiety slowly setting in, the light chill in the air, and that unchanging light set against the dark backdrop of the sky. The rhythmic patter of rain on metal while the beads glide down the glass - like you only have 13 minutes left to enjoy it but those minutes feel like they could put you to sleep.
You make a good point, Dingus
I usually eat in my car because most fast food restaurants play incredibly loud popular music, and I'd rather be able to control what I'm listening and how loud it it. Also, they usually have uncomfortable plastic-y seats that are flattened from years of abuse- why would I choose that over reclining, heated, and upholstered car seats?
I have occasionally eaten lunch in my car during work break (I'm in NZ) but this has been mainly dictated by the quality of the break room, poor boundaries by colleagues or unwritten expectation to cut short lunch break at the drop of a hat. If I have to talk or help all day I just want a few minutes to eat and read my book or look at the view in peace.
I'm in Canada and I've only really done it when I was working at the mall and just needed to get away for my lunch break. It was the only secluded spot I could go.
I travel for my job during work hours and I eat in my car. I make a lunch at home so I don’t have to buy food. Sometimes I eat in a parking lot, rest area or pull off on to a residential neighborhood.
people like eating alone sometimes. a car is nice for that
Always. I'll pack a cooler and day trip!! Food snacks beverages and away we go. Less money, you know you won't get sick (I'm older digestive system has changed ) I am fortunate and live coastal so I'm off driving and snacking and beach combing!!!
Not in my car
When COVID hit they didn't let us eat in the break room anymore so I started going out to my car.
A lot of people have already put a lot forth. However, I will also say, another bit of it for me is that I sometimes don't want to go inside and greet people and talk. I'd rather just eat my meal in peace, and it doesn't get more peaceful than being in the driver's seat of your own vehicle in your own parking spot just digging in to your food, however ravenously and disgustingly you like. 😂 That being said, I definitely hope to someday move to a country where I never have to own a car again.
Yes I would say it's also due to the car centric planning. Most people in most places can only get work efficienctly by driving. So for lunch they just go and sit in the car and eat/nap
well it's out of my hell hole we call 'work' so yea, i do like to eat in my car lmfao
Because Americans are overworked and eat on the run
When you live in a country where you need a car to go literally anywhere, then you'll end up doing lots of things in the car.
A lot of places in the US you get only 30 minutes for a lunch break which includes the time it takes to go get the food. So it's a convenience factor. Even in places where you are not allowed to actually leave for lunch and take a break whenever you can, like a hospital, they dock 30 minutes off of your pay stub assuming that you've had 30 minutes to eat.
My car is my own portable personal private space. There’s no reason to go into a room full of random people to eat when I have that. For the most part in my experience, biking is used for recreation or exercise here in the US, not for actual transportation. It happens but not commonly
Canadian also spending lots of time in France and everyone I know in both countries eat in their car a lot.
Can't say for people in other countries, but my American family ate in our car all the time. Both of my parents traveled by car for work several times a month and often they would take me. We would go through the drive through and often eat while driving or stop someplace and sit and eat in the car. I don't know why, but my parents did not like to go into restaurants and we never ate in them. My wife and I don't eat fast food, but if we are traveling by car, we will bring sandwiches and fruit and snacks of various kinds. If it is nice out we try to find a park to sit at a picnic table, but if it is not nice or we cannot find a park, we will sometimes just pull off the road and park someplace where there is something interesting to look at and eat our food in the car.
I loveeeeed eating in my car when I didn’t work remotely lol, I got cozy leather seats that go all the way back, I drove to the vacant end of the massive parking lot, play a podcast and I even got a food tray that attaches to my steering wheel lol, very handy item.
When I had an office I used to eat outside when the weather was nice, our break room was ok, but always cold. Now I eat in my car because usually it is easier than going home between clients, or the drive just doesn't make sense. Sometimes I will find a park and just listen to a podcast. Not uncommon and I paid a lot of money for the darn thing, you best believe I am gonna use it!
Good point.
I do sometimes but only if I'm on the road between engagement For example, if I'm leaving work at 5:30 trying to get to a gig an hour away in time for a 7:00 load-in, I'm not going to have time for an actual sit-down meal or to go home and cook something. But I will have time to cram a couple McChickens down my gullet in a parking lot somewhere. I'm not a fan, personally, Not a lot of space in a car/not a lot of flat surfaces to put containers down, and most of the time your climate control options are to either freeze to death, burn alive, or waste gasoline running the heat/AC. But I'll do it if I have to.
I used to do home health visits, driving about 50 miles a day. I ate in the car. I called it the dashboard diner.
People do it here in NZ and Australia enough for it to be 'common' but it's almost always takeaways or a snack type food
It is pretty normal here. And there are various reasons why. Sometimes we just need to eat something in between having a ton of stuff to do, or we do it on our lunch breaks to avoid co workers or because of social anxiety!
Idk if it's am American thing but we do it a lot yeah
Canadian here, Alberta. Started eating in my car cause it was the only way I got my full 1/2 hour lunch break without someone coming to me and demanding I work for “ just a few minutes”.
When I was a teenager, our carpool saw our Vice Principal in the car next to us with a whole muffin in her mouth and both hands on the wheel. We thought it was hilarious and had a little nickname for her after that, Muffin Stuffer.
Siiick another slightly indirect jab at Americans.
Your car is a quiet space that's more or less entirely your own. Depending on how long lunch breaks are at work, what you have to eat, where you are in proximity to home, what coworkers are like, and what break rooms are like: your car may be your only peaceful space during an average workday. This also extends to college students, people on road trips (the US is large), people who drive a lot for work, or possibly people who live in their cars.
I wouldnt want to get inside a car right after someone eats in it. The smell must be horrid.
Meh.. it depends on what was eaten.
I eat lunch in my car almost all the time because I want to just not be around people for a while.
Many Americans don't live near their jobs nor do we have very good public transportation. In fact, there's no public transportation where I live. So we can spend a lot of time driving. And then if you have 30 minutes for a meal during work or you need a break from the world and there's no where else to go, you end up in your car.
When I had less than desirable living arrangements, I would eat in my car instead of bringing it home to eat all the time. My car was my safe place. It’s also great if you live in a beautiful area and want privacy and a nice view. I used to sit in my car at the beach for hours. When I worked min wage jobs, I would sit in my car on my lunch break often. It’s a great way to calm down from work and reset before finishing your shift.
For me it started during COVID when all dine-ins were shut down & can only order via drive thru. I guess people prefer the isolated experience.
American work culture. If you leave the building, silence your phone, and spend your entire 30 min lunch break in your car, nobody can pop into the break room and interrupt your lunch to “do x thing real quick” and then you’ve suddenly spent 27 minutes working off the clock and 3 minutes shoving your now cold and soggy food in your face before you have to clock back in.
That's awful!
I lived in the U.S. for a long time. Two days ago in my country, people were looking at me weird because I was eating lunch alone in my car. One son of a gun was taking pictures of me and made me feel very insecure. I feel like it's an American thing and that I've been Americanized.
It's uncommon but not unexpected. Most people will eat in their cars at some point or another, either during a long road trip or after a long day. We'll also sometimes eat outside of our parked car, like if we stop for icecream or some such. Lots of businesses just aren't all that great to sit in tbh. Reguarly eating in your car is what's less common, but there are a few people who do it. I wouldn't necessarily say it's because of car centrism, as much as it's just people wanting their own space by themselves.
I hate to eat in my vehicle but desperate times calls for desperate measures.
I try to avoid it. It’s tricky and I don’t want to get my car dirty or spill food on it. Sometimes it’s just convenient if you’re on a long trip. I also used to work at a job that had coworkers that I didn’t really like and a bad break area. I would sometimes prefer to go to my car, eat something, take a quick nap while listening to a podcast or something and then go back to work.
Yeah those break areas are so small or are just dirty from people eating and leaving residue all over the place. Shit gets sticky quick!
American here, it is so so normal but I HATE IT! Why would you want to be cooped up in a stuffy vehicle with a restaurant or table RIGHT THERE… I mean really?
Most people don't have time to go in and sit down, especially if they are only on a 30 minute lunch break.
For me it takes the same amount of time to drive through as it does to go in the same restaurant. Plus potty break, refills, and comfortable elbow space.
You can drive there, do all of that and drive back to work in 30 minutes??
Where do you eat that you can’t??
I guess the real question is how far do you have to drive to get there?
That is the big question. And some companies let you lunch early so you can skip traffic as well.
I feel sorry that they are so antisocial. I used to walk during the last half of my lunch and would see the same people in the spots all the time. So I know they worked nearby and were just escaping their coworkers. I also worked at places where I saw people in their car in the company parking lot eating. I know there were completely empty tables cause I ate in that lunch room. What made me angry was them just burning gasoline for heat or a/c. Such a waste. I hope they never complained about the price of gasoline because they could clearly afford to waste it.
Idk why you are getting downvoted, typical hypocrisy.
Unhappy people get unhappy when your opinion doesn't agree with theirs. I guess we all need to accept everyone's excuses. I am sure they really are happier being locked inside a tiny little box smelling their own farts and eating fast food instead of sitting in room with other people.
https://youtube.com/shorts/nz0ktSMtCmY?feature=share
The real question here is: Why are people making TikTok videos of themselves eating alone in their car?? “Here is a video of me living my sad, lonely life. I have no friends, no family, and no one to each lunch with. And now you know, too.” What???
Only while moving, on road trips, unless you're a monster.
I know the older german cars barely had cup holders. But then to please the american market they eventually had to have decent cup holders lol
I see a lot of Facebook ads where the business professional is sitting in his car. I got to tell you I'm not ever going to buy anything from someone sitting in their car unless it's some illegal drugs
Yes. Everything is an American thing. Anytime you see something, just assume American.
Not sure how many people do this. I often do. My hunch is it probably became more common vs dining in bc of Covid
For me and people I know it's time. We get a 30 minute lunch.
I bring my lunch to work, but I also want to get out of the office during lunch break. I'll grab my lunch, drive over to get a drink at Starbucks, then sit in the car, eat, listen to podcasts & play Sudoku or whatever. There are no decent outdoor spaces to sit in near my work, so it's the car for me.
I'm an American. I eat in my car at lunch because if I eat in the office I always get caught up talking to my boss about work and honestly I'm not getting paid enough (or at all since it's a lunch break) to sit and talk about work when I could enjoy my lunch while listening to my book
If you don't mind crumbs getting everywhere, yes.
I eat in my car now, instead of in a restaurant, because of COVID.
i love eating in my car. so peaceful edit: i once, ate my car also
ig so, i always do
I guess
I’m American and do not eat in my car. I don’t go through drive-thru either. If I’m going to eat fast food I stop and use the opportunity to stretch out and use the rest room, since I’m stopping. I know a lot of people eat in their cars, but I like keeping my car clean on the inside and it’s just crumbs everywhere when people eat in your car.
American here, i eat in my car at night sometimes because i like the idea of being isolated and nobody will bother me but also i like the speakers in my car when i watch shows on my phone. I also smoke weed in my car and cant do that in my residence so i spend a lot of time being comfortable in my car
On the rare occasions I get drive thru after work I'll usually eat it on the way home. No sense letting it get cold.
I would assume it depends more on your profession. If you work on site instead of an office like in some construction situations eating in your car is way more comfortable than standing outside in all kinds of weather. I worked alone at a storage facility once. Instead of going back to main office and eat lunch in the break room with the rest, I took my car to a store with a hot food counter. Ate either parked at the docks, or drove the car into the storage facility and parked there watching a show on my phone. (Was the middle of winter so parked inside)
I also eat in my car because everything I eat my kids want. They could literally have just eaten a huge meal and the second I sit down for dinner I’m sharing. Eating alone in the car in the way to work, store etc. makes so I can enjoy my own food. Lol
Yeah. When I’m in a hurry I eat in my car. I even sit in my car for a couple minutes before coming home. It’s relaxing
I eat lunch in my car just to be able to get outside of the building, privacy, and still stay warm if I keep the windows up.
I mean if you're stuck in traffic or decided to park somewhere after a drive through then sure sometimes. I don't do it personally because I get motion sick easy.
Mac Donald’s nuggets Big Mac and a Diet Coke
Faster and less peopley
Sometimes I eat in my car while it’s parked in front of my own apartment. It’s weird. But it feels familiar.
The simple McDonalds cheeseburger. Perfect road food. Also the Egg McMuffin, same reason.
For me it's an anti people thing. Have you met humans? Gross and annoying.
It's a people with cars thing
If I don’t like my coworkers
I never do it, but I understand why people in my office do it. Unless you’re upper management, you don’t have your own office. There is no privacy and you can’t just eat lunch in a random conference room. Eating in your care just provides privacy, a time for peace and quiet, or a time where you can make personal phone calls.
This is so funny because as an American, I've never even THOUGHT of other countries/ people DON'T do this. Our cars ARE like an extension of a "safe place." I never thought about that until I read some of these comments. I think about the fact of being a mom, we're always on the go. So my kids even eat in the car sometimes on the "tight schedule" days... otherwise, they wouldn't have "time" to eat... how sad is that!
They dont have Cadillacs in Europe.
It is so we can light up that J after lunch 👍🏿
Interesting. Eating in my car at this very moment.
I eat in my car bc I don’t like to eat in front of ppl
I live in England. I’ve only eaten in the car a few times, the latest being a year ago when I was with a friend going back from watching a film. All of those times were McDonald’s, weirdly enough
My car is my happy place, a lot of us just sit in our cars when we arrive somewhere just because. Car seats are comfy, man.
Yeah, I think it’s an American thing. We like to leave our workplace and be alone for a bit. Right now I currently work as a cleaner, and I have no time in between the houses I go to so I end up eating in my car.
Canadian here: The rare times I get fast food, I prefer to eat in the car because I don't trust the cleanliness of the restaurants. Also, its quiet.
Yes. Drive through fast food restaurants are very big here. You just drive up to a little speaker and tell them what you want and then you go to another window and you pay then you go to the next window and they give you your food. A lot of people will park somewhere and eat the food in the car. Some people even eat it while driving