Should you eat at your workspace?

[IAmAndre]

I'm currently eating snacks while working, not because I'm particularly hungry, but because I need dopamine to be productive, and chocolate helps me raise my dopamine levels. I watched HardwareCannucks last video a few days ago in which they said that you should avoid doing it, and DImity said he only takes drinks. Some other people say that you should never have drink near your PC or any hardware in case it spills. Some people avoid eating because the smells can attract bugs, which might ruin your components. I personally eat and drink, and manage to clean my desk after. So I'm curious to know your thoughts about it.

[minibois]

If you're not sloppy and clean your setup regularly, you are fine.

It seems like a big exaggeration that you will get bugs in your components if you eat at your setup. 

[chilicheeseburger]

1 hour ago, IAmAndre said:

I'm currently eating snacks while working, not because I'm particularly hungry, but because I need dopamine to be productive, and chocolate helps me raise my dopamine levels. I watched HardwareCannucks last video a few days ago in which they said that you should avoid doing it, and DImity said he only takes drinks. Some other people say that you should never have drink near your PC or any hardware in case it spills. Some people avoid eating because the smells can attract bugs, which might ruin your components. I personally eat and drink, and manage to clean my desk after. So I'm curious to know your thoughts about it.

I saw that HC video too, what Dimitry said was you shouldn't eat at your PC because it will turn into a habit and you'll eat while doing something else. You won't appreciate your meal as much and you'll automatically eat more than you need to. So he meant it more as a health advice.

 

I don't care though, I'll eat anything at my PC, just don't touch your peripherals with dorito fingers and be careful not to spill anything. Also wipe down your keyboard, mouse and possibly desk when you're done eating. As long as you're able to clean up after yourself and aren't too clumsy it's fine.

[SlipperyPete]

i live in a small apartment with a few friends. in my room i have a bed, my desk and a dining room table. i do all my eating at my desk because its more convenient. that and the table has warhammer 40k stuff on it a lot of the time  

[IAmAndre]

Just now, Minibois said:

If you're not sloppy and clean your setup regularly, you are fine.

It seems like a big exaggeration that you will get bugs in your components if you eat at your setup. 

I saw a cockroach on my keyboard last day, which made me think twice. Gross !

[IAmAndre]

Just now, chilicheeseburger said:

just don't touch your peripherals with dorito fingers and be careful not to spill anything. Also wipe down your keyboard, mouse and possibly desk when you're done eating. As long as you're able to clean up after yourself and aren't too clumsy it's fine.

I have that washable Logitech keyboard, that helps

[chilicheeseburger]

2 minutes ago, IAmAndre said:

I saw a cockroach on my keyboard last day, which made me think twice. Gross !

 

1 minute ago, IAmAndre said:

I have that washable Logitech keyboard, that helps

Did you wash off the cockroach?

 

Seriously though if you have cockroaches at your place the cause of that is probably something else. Don't think the cockroaches care where you take your meals.

[minibois]

3 hours ago, IAmAndre said:

I saw a cockroach on my keyboard last day, which made me think twice. Gross !

Well than you need to  clean your place up a lot more often

[Crossbred]

I drink shakes bi-weekly at my desk.

[Teddy07]

I never spilled a drink in my entire life over my hardware. The only hardware I destroyed was due to my own stupidity, more precise lack of knowledge.

I really would like to eat some fruits but my library does not allow any food

[Zodiark1593]

I drink coffee at my PC. I don't really eat at my PC though, and due to work rules, eating in the work space isn't allowed.

[Nuluvius]

If I didn't eat at my work space then I'd never eat...

[vanished]

If spilling a drink on to your PC is a legitimate concern, then you need to rearrange your workspace.  Also, have even a slight amount of environment awareness and don't knock over drinks accidentally.  Problem solved.

[Hiitchy]

My workspace kinda requires me to eat at it since I do video monitoring. The best thing to do is have a separate table around that is just dedicated to eating that gets cleaned every day. 

[IAmAndre]

3 hours ago, Zodiark1593 said:

I drink coffee at my PC. I don't really eat at my PC though, and due to work rules, eating in the work space isn't allowed.

I'd personally not eat if I was working in an open space or something.

[IAmAndre]

3 hours ago, Ryan_Vickers said:

If spilling a drink on to your PC is a legitimate concern, then you need to rearrange your workspace.  Also, have even a slight amount of environment awareness and don't knock over drinks accidentally.  Problem solved.

Or buy waterproof peripherals. You never know when your cat wants to jump on the table or something.

[Arika]

If we're specifically talking about work, it depends on your boss. If they are fine with it, all good. If not I wouldn't argue the point

[GDRRiley]

I both eat and drink at my desk. My pc is on the top of it and the feet rase it 1-2 inches off the ground so I don't worry about spills. I also have a large mouse pad that can be washed if it gets dirty. 

Thinking about it I am going to go make my self some mint tea. I made some lovely tea.

Edited October 5, 2017 by GDRRiley
added

[TheKDub]

You'll be fine, just don't spill anything.

 

Side note, don't use your laptop as a food tray.

[Drak3]

3 hours ago, IAmAndre said:

You never know when your cat wants to jump on the table or something.

I never let my dog food on the table.

 

11 minutes ago, TheKDub said:

just don't spill anything.

Spill everything.

 

7 hours ago, Ryan_Vickers said:

If spilling a drink on to your PC is a legitimate concern, then you need to rearrange your workspace.

What if your work place is currently a small folding table that's barely large enough for a Surface Pro?

 

Don't mind the fact that I have a large desk 3 feet away.

[Skanky Sylveon]

As long as the food isn't messy (Cheetos), I have no problems with eating at my desk.  As far as drinks are concerned, I have them on the floor next to my desk, cant ruin anything if it spills there.

[captain_to_fire]

16 hours ago, IAmAndre said:

So I'm curious to know your thoughts about it.

It depends on what kind of workspace. Usually, companies have pantries for employees to eat, warm their food with a microwave oven or prepare coffee.

[IAmAndre]

1 hour ago, Cinnabar Sonar said:

As long as the food isn't messy (Cheetos), I have no problems with eating at my desk.  As far as drinks are concerned, I have them on the floor next to my desk, cant ruin anything if it spills there.

Power cables?

[IAmAndre]

1 hour ago, hey_yo_ said:

It depends on what kind of workspace. Usually, companies have pantries for employees to eat, warm their food with a microwave oven or prepare coffee.

Yes, and when you work from home like me, you even have a dining room  

[Prox1ma]

We often eat snacks and sometimes lunch at our work place. As long as you clean it up once you finish, it shouldn't be a problem.