Etiquette expert details shocking list of foods you should NEVER eat in front of coworkers

Daily Mail​

28-05-2025

Deciding what to eat for lunch can be a defining part of the work day - but what you choose can also impact the rest of your workplace.
From smelly foods to loud and distracting meals, there are many factors that can land you in the bad books with your co-workers - and according to an expert, you should try and avoid them.
'There is nothing like an unpleasant smell wafting through the air,' etiquette exert Elizabeth Soos told DailyMail.com.
'[It can come from] opening the fridge to get your lunch out or from a co-worker's reheated dinner from the night before in the communal microwave,' she continued.
According to Soos, the founder at Auersmont School of Etiquette and Protocol, your smelly lunches are being clocked by your co-workers - and they are not enjoying it.
The expert shared what foods not to bring to work - doubling down on steering clear on seafood based dishes.
'Tips for what not to bring to work include: fish dishes, such as tins of salmon and tuna, eggs or egg dishes, garlic-based dishes, cruciferous vegetable dishes such as kale, Brussel sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, or broccoli, and novel microwavable foods such as popcorn,' she listed.
Soos assured office workers you can still enjoy these foods - you may just want to rethink where you're eating them.
Foods to avoid eating in the office
Fish dishes, such as tins of salmon and tuna
Eggs or egg dishes
Garlic-based dishes
Cruciferous vegetable dishes such as kale, Brussel sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, or broccoli
Novel microwavable foods, such as popcorn
'If you need to bring any of these foods to work for dietary and well-being reasons, it's best to take them out of the building and sit in the communal break area or find a park bench, away from others,' she advised.
Although it can seem natural to take your food back to your desk, Soos encourages people to find another area for the comfort of the people around you.
'Sitting at your desk to eat, the smell of hot food wafting over the workplace can be distracting and unpleasant for some,' she shared.
It's not just food smells that can be distracting in the office, with Soos reminding people that although you may be on a lunch break, it's important to keep in mind that not everyone else is.
'Understanding that people may still be working and speaking on phones,' the expert reminded people.
Soos urged people to 'be conscious' of what your lunch sounds like if eating at your desk.
'Soups, chips, raw vegetables, crackers and food wrappers, can disturb and be off-putting for co-workers while they work,' she pointed out.
She added: 'The sounds of slurping, crunching, chewing with your mouth open and rustling of wrappers can be distracting and annoying.'
The rules extend to eating out with co-workers at events, with Soos insisting on a further rules.
She recommends ordering meals that make you look composed and considerate of your co-workers.
'Don't order foods you are unsure how to eat unless you are all exploring new foods together,' she advised.
'Be mindful of those with religious and/or cultural food preferences, and you can ask if it is "ok" to eat those foods in front of them or decide to order the foods you enjoy, another day,' she continued.
Lastly, Soos said it's best to avoid ordering an alcoholic beverage during the day.
'Always remember to eat before drinking alcohol in the evening,' she said.