The sad answer is I cannot recall. Not because it is so frequent that my memory is irreversibly damaged, but because it is so rare. Perhaps not for at least 15 years.
We do this every year for our Xmas party for my team so 3 months ago.
But it is planned so not the same. I think the last work lunch that ‘went rogue’ was a 2020 closing lunch that ended up with me waking up on a client’s sofa with neither of us having any real idea what had happened past about 8pm with a mutual acknowledgment that might be for the best…
Had a cracker with a longstanding client in the wine trade about a month ago. He choose the resto, brought the wine from his cellars and paid the corkage.
back in the day (mobile, pre-blackberry era), the BEST boozer for a PFL was a pub that had ABSOLTUELY NO MOBILE PHONE RECEPTION so you couldn't even think about work.
on occasion you'd go back to your desk to retrieve your coat and you'd be a bit early so you'd have to sit at your desk for 30 minutes praying nobody called you/expected you to actually do any work
how come work has ceased to have any social aspect?
we killed it, through fear and obligation, pressure and conformity.
Lord Weinstock warned about this. In the 90s, not long before he died and they absolutely shagged his business to death, he said that the generation below him were making a big mistake eating sandwiches at their desks because lunch out is where you objectivise your own business and decide whether you trust the person your dealing with. Sandwiches at the desk took the human due diligence out of the equation.
He was right. But the leaders of the 90s were keen to do even better than the madmen of the 80s and drove over all that. Then the noughties brought year upon year of difficult situations and every business had an excuse to ask staff to tighten belts, behave in a more limited manner, do more work for less apparent gain (financial and broader enrichment) work, work, work in the narrow sense and remove the human element in this, and every other, aspect of the job.
Long lunches definitely gone by the wayside though still happen.
However have been in Great Portland Street and Bank in the last couple of days, mid/late afternoon, and the pubs have been absolutely swarming with office types. The whole alarm bells about work drinks dying seems overblown - I reckon instead of long lunches people are just knocking off early for drinks with colleagues/clients instead.
Noble Rot, Lamb's Conduit Street. Very enjoyable - though wine list on an iPad felt odd. I like to turn the pages, before going back to something not too eye-watering (price not taste).
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About two weeks ago
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It’s important now and again, perhaps should even be an HR recommendation for improved mental health
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Does 2 pints and a bag of crisps count?
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No
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The sad answer is I cannot recall. Not because it is so frequent that my memory is irreversibly damaged, but because it is so rare. Perhaps not for at least 15 years.
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A scotch egg?
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With the pints in the evening after the lunch.
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For last 35 years I couldn’t do a boozy lunch and then pints in the evening.
But just after Christmas did a nice lunch with some lawyer mates that carried on with 🍷, port and coffee until mid-evening.
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We do this every year for our Xmas party for my team so 3 months ago.
But it is planned so not the same. I think the last work lunch that ‘went rogue’ was a 2020 closing lunch that ended up with me waking up on a client’s sofa with neither of us having any real idea what had happened past about 8pm with a mutual acknowledgment that might be for the best…
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Today I just had 2x 2/3pts. and some nuts. Civilised.
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Couple of months ago.
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Late December with a colleague. Saved us both irritating colleagues as we waited for something
Tasting menu round the corner
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Did you enjoy your NIBBLES?
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There were amuse-bouches before we got to the main event. And very pleasant they were too.
Not quite as nice as the ones at the chefs table a couple of nights later
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I think the OP is referring to a Leo Sayer.
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There is something refreshing about a cleansing lager after a long lunch. Pioneered by the Aussies
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Dux what is a "Leo Sayer"?
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or as farage puts it "a PFL"
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Same thing as a Gary Player.
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Always worth reprising this lunch - Gavin Ewart, who died after a good lunch
https://www.ft.com/content/930857a0-8d3d-11e1-8b49-00144feab49a
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Managed two last week.
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In January. 12 noon - 10pm. It was great.
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Good to hear the tradition is still alive
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Had a cracker with a longstanding client in the wine trade about a month ago. He choose the resto, brought the wine from his cellars and paid the corkage.
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You could have a week at the Seaview Hotel for the price of that plonk.
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ages ago
how come work has ceased to have any social aspect?
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wrong work m8
just before xmas i was hanging around waiting for the lawyers to do their shiz and got pissed in the office with colleagues in our dining room.
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It used to be driven by the young uns but they dont seem interested any more. The blackberry was pivotal in terms of getting out to the boozer
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no no no no no no
back in the day (mobile, pre-blackberry era), the BEST boozer for a PFL was a pub that had ABSOLTUELY NO MOBILE PHONE RECEPTION so you couldn't even think about work.
on occasion you'd go back to your desk to retrieve your coat and you'd be a bit early so you'd have to sit at your desk for 30 minutes praying nobody called you/expected you to actually do any work
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you have a dining room? in the office?
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anyway, wrong work, yes for sure
becoming an investor this year mind u
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Sir Woke XR Remainer FBPE MBE07 Mar 24 13:08
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ages ago
how come work has ceased to have any social aspect?
we killed it, through fear and obligation, pressure and conformity.
Lord Weinstock warned about this. In the 90s, not long before he died and they absolutely shagged his business to death, he said that the generation below him were making a big mistake eating sandwiches at their desks because lunch out is where you objectivise your own business and decide whether you trust the person your dealing with. Sandwiches at the desk took the human due diligence out of the equation.
He was right. But the leaders of the 90s were keen to do even better than the madmen of the 80s and drove over all that. Then the noughties brought year upon year of difficult situations and every business had an excuse to ask staff to tighten belts, behave in a more limited manner, do more work for less apparent gain (financial and broader enrichment) work, work, work in the narrow sense and remove the human element in this, and every other, aspect of the job.
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Do juniors eat lunch in their pods? Isn’t that a bit close for comfort?
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complete with wine fridge, beer fridge and a balcony.
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Long lunches definitely gone by the wayside though still happen.
However have been in Great Portland Street and Bank in the last couple of days, mid/late afternoon, and the pubs have been absolutely swarming with office types. The whole alarm bells about work drinks dying seems overblown - I reckon instead of long lunches people are just knocking off early for drinks with colleagues/clients instead.
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Noble Rot, Lamb's Conduit Street. Very enjoyable - though wine list on an iPad felt odd. I like to turn the pages, before going back to something not too eye-watering (price not taste).
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NR is on my list, do you recommend? It’s got a great rep.
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Definitely recommended. More of an autumn / winter restaurant than spring / summer just from feel of the place.
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Agreed that nob rot has a winter vibe
It's good, very good but not outstanding imo
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last week
wot sort of unsociable loner do u have 2 b not 2 do this regularly?
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when Laz LLP is fully functioning, it will have a dining room, and a beer fridge, and socialising will be very much encouraged
doubt we’ll have a balcony
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Very regularly in the 1990s. Rarely in the 2000s. Never since.
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