The Smell of Food is Offensive?

[twinkletoes]

Sharnita said:

"Venus193, I would say that just because some people don't want to smell garlic does not mean they have issues with or look down on people who enjoy it. It is a strong smell and there is a difference between eating it and smelling it in the air/on a person's clothes."

I agree, Sharnita.  I love garlic, but I hate having to smell like garlic and I hate that my apartment smells of garlic after I'm done cooking.  The same can be said of any food, really - I hate smelling like food, as I think that's just a generally unpleasant smell (when I'm not in the midst of cooking/baking, of course!).  And I'm sure everyone has a food smell they loathe, but I'd hate to think there are people in our society who say things like "you know, people who love hot fudge sundaes really get on my nerves" or "anyone who likes homemade biscuits is inferior."  When you put it like that, doesn't it just sound all the more ridiculous?

[HogwartsAlum]

I'm in an administrative unit and don't really have "customers", per se, and I'm sure it would be different if I was a receptionist.  I don't envy them at all.

I'm a receptionist.  We have a break room where I take my lunch, because if I eat at my desk, I'm still expected to answer the phone even if I'm at lunch.  It lets me get away from the phone for a while. 

The only time I eat at my desk is when I have to skip lunch to make up time, or I get hungry before my break time.  I try not to make a mess or eat something stinky because I'm the front desk.  Sometimes I eat a snack if I get hungry in the late morning or afternoon.  The bosses don't say anything because other people eat at their desks too.  Once in a while, I get caught with a mouthful of food, but I can talk very well with my mouth full! 

[Balletmom]

I had a coworker say last year that the boss had an "unwritten" rule about eating at your desk. (which by the way,  was in an empty classroom during lunch.)

Which is where I often ate to avoid her extreme negativity.

 

[Ohjustlovely]

"They do have air purifiers that can be utilized.    They are several kinds:  ionic, circulatory, and aroma disbursing. "
   REPLY:  "Aren't those usually called FANS? <duck and run>"

  LOL!
Actually, there are those "aerosol" types, not exactly like the ones found in supermarkets -- And I really don't like those, either of them.  The point I was trying to make:  isn't there some compromise that can be made?  We all have to eat, and to enforce "go out to lunch" or "eat mayo sandwiches on white because I hate your food" rule is very demoralizing.

I don't like smells, but having to spend one's hard-earned money just to eat, or having to eat in one's car -- that's really not a good place to continue working.

BTW:  I dislike working with people who insist on bathing in cologne.

[Venus193]

If anyplace I ever worked in would attempt a ban on cologne I think I would have to leave on principle.  Especially if it were a place that food wasn't welcome in.

Until American business stops driving people to eat at their desks more than half the time, I don't think it's in a position to complain about food aromas.  If you have to eat at your desk because a deadline got moved up or a client has an emergency, you should mostly be able to eat what you like.

[scotcat]

I've never heard the fire hazard theory. Where did they do that?

Among others, Renaissance castles like Chambord and Chennenceau had separate buildings

Hampton Court Palace had a separate Bakery. It burned down in the time of Elizabeth I. Latest theory is that is was due to spontaneous combustion from the flour dust, and some have said that that was what cause Thos. Farynor's bakehouse to catch fire in Pudding Lane, London, which ultimately started the Great Fire of London in 1666.

[goblue2539]

I've never heard the fire hazard theory. Where did they do that?

Usually in the big plantation houses.  It was the fashion even for the servants to wear the big poufy skirts with hoops, so being near the fire was especially dangerous.  Also, with the hoops, it was possible for the ladies to spread the fire by turning around before they even realized their skirts were on fire. 

All info from the Firestone Farm at Greenfield Village in Dearborn MI.  

[Morty'sCleaningLady]

Fire hazard is a bit unlikely.  I learned from my office manager that the two main causes of office fires are toaster ovens and microwaves.  Of course, every office has a microwave these days.