A French woman has revealed her confusion at British lunch culture – prompting some to criticise her over her extensive views.
The content creator, who used the handle @alizeecharet on TikTok, made a video where she suggested that rather than rushing out to grab a sandwich at lunch, workers could improve their life balance by spending a few more minutes taking a proper break.
However, while more than 7,660 viewers ‘liked’ the clip, her sentiments did not go down well with everyone who watched it.
Speaking in the video, Alizee said: ‘Okay, so someone needs to explain to me this culture in the UK, where for lunch people go to M&S, Sainsbury’s [or] Tesco, and they just get a lunch deal [for example] a quick sandwich.’
She added: ‘I just don’t get it, because I know you guys don’t have time, and I know you guys are trying to grab a quick lunch.’
However, Alizee noted: ’30 minutes is enough for you to get something nicer. I don’t see you want to escape the matrix. You want to escape this rat race, but you are in it.
‘You feed on it. It’s like you have 30 minutes and you stress about it. It’s like you’re giving your life to a workplace.’
She noted that she sees setting boundaries as important, adding that it’s key to ‘really stop and pause and remind yourself that even though you have a [job] that you may hate, you still have the right to have boundaries’.
A TikTok creator has sparked debate after questioning how the lunch culture in the UK can be harmful for people’s mental, emotional, and physical health
Concluding her thoughts, the TikTokker added: ‘Three minutes is three minutes, and if you arrive, like, one or two minutes after that, you’re not gonna die for it.’
She suggested that people take the time to ‘find something nice to eat, to switch up some from time to time’.
While a sandwich or packet of crisps is not ‘bad’, Alizee added, to constantly mindlessly consume this type of food is ‘not alive’.
Physical health was another point she raised when it comes to the British culture of eating lunch while working at a desk.
She said: ‘You sit the whole day, for eight hours in front of a desktop, and you wonder, “how did I gain so much weight?”,’ before noting this was likely due to ‘the bread [and] the lack of exercise.’
In addition, she added, feeling sluggish after this kind of meal means you then fall into a cycle of needing something to feel more energised like grabbing coffee for example.
‘I’m not saying don’t do that,’ Alizee said. ‘I’m saying look for other alternative and be conscious of the actions you’re taking […] Those are the small actions you can start doing.’
A number of commenters felt the creator missed the point of why they opt for sandwich lunches, with some pointing out cost, and others simply saying they enjoy the option.
She suggested that taking a few minutes to eat something mindfully rather than consuming a shop-bought sandwich at a desk may help people feel better
A number of viewers suggested that it is not about people not wanting to take the time to enjoy a better lunch, but not having the time
One viewer wrote: ‘Respectfully it’s absolutely not this deep I genuinely like Tesco meal deals.’
Speaking about the cost of food, one said the TikTokker was ‘missing the point’.
They wrote: ‘Honestly you’re missing so much nuance here we are over worked and underpaid and we are TIRED a lot of the things you’re talking about is a privilege to a majority of us also 1 hour is not infinite time a lot of us use that hour to do personal tasks too.’
In agreement, another added: ‘Totally cost related not time related. If you want something other than a meal deal you’re easily spending a tenner.’
‘Gurl in this economy I can’t afford a nice lunch everyday, its bc of money not time,’ said another.
One felt the issue was not that deep, which they expressed in their response.
They simply said: ‘Babe it’s literally a sandwich.’
However, not everyone disagreed with the message of the video, with some sharing similar sentiments.
However, many viewers agreed with the video, and pointed out that they were able to save money and enjoy their lunch break
One wrote: ‘You have a point! Just to clarify – some workplaces are brutal, with 1 or 2 minutes late there are consequences.’
In agreement, another said: ‘I know what you mean. I stopped with the meal deals years ago, I bring my own lunch to work now and with the nice weather I go walk around town for 30 mins then go back and eat my lunch it’s nicer.’
A third added: ‘I know exactly what you mean don’t worry.’
‘I completely agree!! I always appreciate how much my European colleagues take time for a proper lunch,’ said another.
In a similar vein, a further TikTok viewer wrote: ‘Agree! Even on weeks low on cash, make a delightful packed lunch that you have to assemble yourself. Sit in the park, breathe in the air.’
