Psychology IN Word: Office Workers Are Prone to "Lunch Phobia"
"What to eat for lunch?" and "Where to eat for lunch?" are probably two phrases repeated by many office workers every day. That's right, for employees whose companies don't have a cafeteria, lunch is indeed a headache-inducing problem. To the point where some people have even developed "lunch phobia."
■Noun Explanation
Lunch Phobia (lunchphobia), as the name suggests, is a fear of lunch. It is a popular term that has become prevalent in the last two years. Many white-collar workers struggle with questions like who to eat with and what to eat for lunch. Because a single meal, if not handled well, could affect one's career prospects.
"Lunch phobia" is one of the popular terms circulating online. Its main "symptoms" manifest as some office workers having to eat out when their company doesn't have a cafeteria. However, some people often choose to avoid eating at mealtime, not feeling hungry when it's time to eat, and only feeling hungry after the mealtime has passed. Every noon, many university students, state-owned enterprise employees, civil servants, and even office cleaners sigh: "I don't know what to eat, let alone who to eat with."
■Lunch as a New Social Networking Method: Business Meals Have Their Etiquette
Nowadays, a work lunch is no longer just a simple meal; it has become a new form of social networking, known as the "lunch group." "Lunch groups" discuss everything: current events, hot topics, gossip, the boss's every move, opinions on certain decisions, and more. People who do well in the workplace are usually able to fit into several "lunch groups," enjoying meals with one group and another, making them masters of workplace socializing. Some office workers, because they can't integrate into a group, have to choose to run off and eat alone during lunch hour. Because they eat by themselves every day, over time, they no longer feel that eating is an enjoyment; it's more like completing a daily required course, which feels truly painful.
"To put it bluntly, a 'lunch group' is a small social circle, a circle of friends, and also a workplace circle. The topic of conversation isn't important; what's important is to make people feel that there are no barriers between you and them. Some people are overly cautious, which makes them seem insincere; some are very introverted, which makes them seem difficult to get along with; and some are two-faced, and others won't consider them friends." A psychological expert reminds, "You can learn a lot about a person during a meal—whether you are like-minded, whether you are the same kind of person, which is very important in the workplace."
■Newcomers to the Workplace Are Most Prone to "Lunch Phobia"
Regarding this new internet term "lunch phobia," psychological experts say: many newcomers to the workplace suffer from this psychology, which is actually a manifestation of "social phobia." These people always feel weak, are overly concerned with how others see them, and thus develop a sense of fear. The specific symptoms of this condition are: feeling out of place with others in a new environment, finding it difficult to integrate into social circles, often feeling restrained and nervous, and being unwilling to interact too much even when with others, leading to poor interpersonal relationships. "Lunch phobia" is more evident in people with introverted or shy personalities.
Surveys show that an increasing number of workplace newcomers are developing "lunch phobia." When joining a new work environment, some worry that eating lunch with senior colleagues will be stressful and make them feel awkward, while others feel isolated because they can't find colleagues to eat with, thus developing lunch phobia. Workplace competition is fierce, and in addition to being careful in their work and conduct, office workers also have many rules to follow when it comes to socializing and business entertaining.
■Psychological Expert: The Fear Is Related to Workplace Pressure
"Lunch phobia" is actually related to the pressure white-collar workers face in the workplace." says Chen Zhilin, a psychology master from the University of East London and a member of the Chinese Psychological Society. He states that due to the intense competitive pressure in the workplace, it often leads white-collar workers to distrust their colleagues.