We have a Development group of about 14 people under Professional Services in our company. The group recently started organizing company sponsored lunches on Wednesdays. The puspose of this lunch/meeting is to address daily issues, questions, training, projects, company’s performance and a lot of other office gossip. I would like to attend the meeting but at the same time, I don’t want to be the only person not having the lunch. I have no issues in annoucning the start of the fasting month and that I will be fasting. So please don’t turn this thread into a different direction. I have already told my manager that no lunches for me for next few weeks.
The thing is, I am the only desi (or a muslim for that matter) in my group and I will feel awkward stairing at everyone while they are eating their food. I wonder if I should just skip the lunch meetings. What do ya’ll say?
Re: Developer Lunch/Meetings at work during Ramadan
Its not an unusual situation, by any stretch. Many muslims go through similar issues during Ramzaan. If these developer meetings/lunch meeting are important from your career growth standpoint and professional life, then by all means, make sure you attend. If folks breakout for lunch, then you can just mingle around. If the group does working lunch where they eat and talk at the same time, then you can just continue participation in the meeting by talking and without eating.
Re: Developer Lunch/Meetings at work during Ramadan
Are these work-in lunches...do you keep working while eating or do you guys break out for a few minutes to munch? I am assuming it is eat while working... then it should not be an issue as you can pretend you are working. If it is a break out for a few minutes, you can step out for some fresh air. I really don't see the biggie here until I am missing some point completely.
Re: Developer Lunch/Meetings at work during Ramadan
This is not a real problem as many replies already give perfectly acceptable solutions. real problem is when you are a muslim, are into some heavy marketing situation involving many lakhs or hundreds of lakhs fo dollars and your client wants to meet for a lunch during Ramzan. Go to lunch, not eat and piss the client off. What do you then?
Re: Developer Lunch/Meetings at work during Ramadan
All my group people know I am fasting and I don't even know them that well being there new and all. If the meetings are important, just go there and attend and when the food comes aroudn, just say 'I am sorry, I am fasting this month.'
edit: My previous work people often would do meeting at the pub here in the city that brews it's own beers and if the meeting was important I would go and attend otherwise skip. They had a nickel beer specials where everyone in my group is drinking but still, it's not hard to say No Thanks, I don't drink.
Re: Developer Lunch/Meetings at work during Ramadan
I would say join them.... test your patience....
be prepared cause poeple will ask you questions. This way you are getting double sawab... spreading islam and having roza... plus :D take some food with you for aftari later on :D
