Question: “The boss has offered to pay for lunch for a large group of employees. Is it appropriate for the employees to choose the restaurant? Many of the staff have complained because the boss chose the restaurant without their input? Isn’t that inappropriate?” — Anonymous
See Comments Below
Like what you've read? ...Republish it and share great business tips!
Attention: Readers, Publishers, Editors, Bloggers, Media, Webmasters and more...
We believe great content should be read and passed around. After all, knowledge IS power. And good business can become great with the right information at their fingertips. If you'd like to share any of the insightful articles on BusinessManagementDaily.com, you may republish or syndicate it without charge.
The only thing we ask is that you keep the article exactly as it was written and formatted. You also need to include an attribution statement and link to the article.
" This information is proudly provided by Business Management Daily.com: http://www.businessmanagementdaily.com/15555/office-etiquette-who-chooses-the-restaurant "
{ 16 comments… read them below or add one }
Who pays gets to choose where to best spend the allowed budget. Complainers is right, just be appreiciative of the lunch itself
After working for over 30+ years I have only four times been taken out to lunch by a boss. Have your boss call me…..I would love to go out.
Sounds like a bunch of ingrates – or preschoolers! If the boss had left it up to them to pick the resturant it could have taken forever to make a decision and even then some of them would still have an attitude. There are so many who would just appreciate a pat on the back and here are others who can’t even be happy with the boss taking them to lunch. If the boss is paying the boss has every right to pick the resturant.
At first I thought to myself, “They are getting a free meal, yet they are complaining because their input was solicited on where to go? How ridiculous.” Then I realized, “Wait, that sounds like people where I work. Some people have to complain about EVERYTHING.” I agree with all those above who said that if the boss is paying, they should enjoy the free meal and drop the petty whining about where the meal takes places. After all, the boss is probably wise enough to realize that with a sizable group, there is no possible way that everyone will be satisfied with the restaurant choice. I would have done the same thing – make a choice, and those that like it will like it, those that don’t, won’t.
If I invite someone out it is my choice of where to go – but out of consideration I might ask if they have a preference. One way would be for the boss to ask for suggestions – but the final decision is his. What a nice way to try a new place – I have learned of many fine places when someone invites me to a place I don’t normally frequent.
If ANYONE ever offers to buy me a meal I would politely say thank you.
Why do people complain about everything? He who pays, chooses. He who receives free lunch cannot be picky. Otherwise, he can buy his own lunch. Easy peasy.
I agree with all. We’ve become a society that has forgotten how to be appreciative of kind offers and say “thank you”. I’d tell the complainers that this is a “nice to” not a “have to” so if they can’t appreciate it, they should bow out. Not all boss’ treat lunch or anything else. If the boss asks for suggestions, he/she can give two or three that employees can vote on; so the boss can pick a place within budget and the employees feel they have some input. But either way they should be grateful, and hopefully each and everyone tells the boss thank you.
If the boss were to ask everyone where they wanted to go, you would still have people that are upset that somebody else’s choice was selected instead of their’s. To me, if the boss is paying I don’t have a problem letting him make the choice. I’m just thrilled that I get fed lunch.
Uh… yes! That’s plain rude!
If someone doesn’t like the place where he’s ordering from, then don’t eat. Some people just did not grow up with manners or respect. Just be glad that you’re not one of them, and worry about yourself.
Those employees should be grateful lunch is being paid for. Period. I agree with Debbie, if they don’t like the restaurant, then don’t go.
I agree completely with all of you. Looking a gift-horse in the mouth is beyond inconsiderate!
I have a boss that takes our department to lunch twice a year, even though one is not at her own expense ultimately I feel it is more appropriate for the boss to either pick the restaurant or make 2 or 3 suggestions that the staff can chose between.
We had the problem a couple years back with her telling us it couldn’t be too outrageous or that we’d have to skip dessert, something to that effect, and I felt terrible. Why didn’t she just make a couple of suggestions and let us take a hint?
Good luck!
If the boss is nice enough to buy lunch, then the associates should be grateful. Otherwise they may find this is the last free lunch they get.
The complaining employees are behaving like spoiled children. The boss is extending a “gift” of lunch. They should be appreciative of his offer. He has every right to pick the restaurant. They are being VERY inappropriate and self-deserving. They should take a look at the option of not going because they are behaving terribly ungrateful.
I thought you said the boss was paying. I think it is totally inappropriate for the employees to think they have the right to choose the restaurant at their bosses expense. They should feel glad their boss thinks enough of them to buy them lunch at all. That’s amazing! Don’t like the restaurant? Don’t go! Pick your own restaurant and pay for your own lunch!
If by “inappropriate” you mean the complainers, then I agree with you. If the boss is paying, he/she should choose the restaurant.