Food
Why we should bring back the long lunch
The midday meal used to anchor the working day. Here is why it deserves its place back.
· 5 min read
Sunlight, a white tablecloth and an unhurried afternoon.
Not so long ago, the long lunch was part of working life in many cities. Shops closed, offices emptied and tables filled. Then it quietly disappeared, replaced by the desk salad and the meeting that runs through midday.
The research on rest is clear. Proper breaks improve focus, mood and creativity. Eating with others builds trust faster than almost any team exercise. The long lunch was doing a lot of quiet work.
A modern version
Bringing it back does not mean three courses every day. It might be one long lunch a week, a shared table at the office or a standing date with a friend. The point is to protect the time and make it social.
Try it for a month. Our guess is you will not want to go back to the keyboard sandwich.
Filed under
Lunch, Work, Culture
About the writer
Maya Okafor
Writes about food culture, neighbourhood kitchens and the stories behind everyday meals.
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