Can we talk about lunch?

[barbt]

This is a question to those who spend their days 'consulting' - any subject, could be a quality related field or other. Does the customer categorically OWE you lunch when you show up at their door?

Picture two people driving the same 35 minutes to work, both leaving from home and both expecting to return home for dinner. This is the third or fourth day that these two people will be working together, and both are quite familiar with the company, the layout, and the local community. Normally, person 1 brings a light lunch and eats with everyone else in the common room.

During the day, let's pretend that those two people are working on a presentation. Just the two of them. One is asking the other questions, and the one is providing guidance and advice.

Does the fact that one is a 'consultant' mean the other one (the customer) categorically has to provide the consultant's lunch EVERY single time?

Coffee / snacks are always on the house.

Barb

 

[Jim Wynne]

This is a question to those who spend their days 'consulting' - any subject, could be a quality related field or other. Does the customer categorically OWE you lunch when you show up at their door?

Picture two people driving the same 35 minutes to work, both leaving from home and both expecting to return home for dinner. This is the third or fourth day that these two people will be working together, and both are quite familiar with the company, the layout, and the local community. Normally, person 1 brings a light lunch and eats with everyone else in the common room.

During the day, let's pretend that those two people are working on a presentation. Just the two of them. One is asking the other questions, and the one is providing guidance and advice.

Does the fact that one is a 'consultant' mean the other one (the customer) categorically has to provide the consultant's lunch EVERY single time?

Coffee / snacks are always on the house.

Barb

Because an auditor or consultant is a guest and not a coworker, providing lunch is a common courtesy, but not an obligation. The practice is so well established however, that to send a guest out of the building for lunch would seem unnecessarily penurious and rude to me.

 

[Al Rosen]

So Barb, the question is, are you stingy, rude or just not exactly enamored with the consultant?

 

[barbt]

Because an auditor or consultant is a guest and not a coworker, providing lunch is a common courtesy, but not an obligation. The practice is so well established however, that to send a guest out of the building for lunch would seem unnecessarily penurious and rude to me.

Fine, I have heard that arguement, and I agree with part about being a good host for the guest. I can't fail but notice, however, that our suppliers visiting our purchasing agent, or the consultants downstairs in IT, or the auditors that come for days at a time for the financial areas, manage to either supply their own meals, or on occasion invite their customers to one. I have never heard it mention that they are OWED the lunch.

You will notice that I said the consultant could be from any brand of industry, and the example chosen specifically did not mention auditing or training. Just talking - problem solving. What makes one brand of consultant more/less a guest?
I guess that's the issue.
B.

 

[Jim Wynne]

Fine, I have heard that arguement, and I agree with part about being a good host for the guest. I can't fail but notice, however, that our suppliers visiting our purchasing agent, or the consultants downstairs in IT, or the auditors that come for days at a time for the financial areas, manage to either supply their own meals, or on occasion invite their customers to one. I have never heard it mention that they are OWED the lunch.

You will notice that I said the consultant could be from any brand of industry, and the example chosen specifically did not mention auditing or training. Just talking - problem solving. What makes one brand of consultant more/less a guest?
I guess that's the issue.
B.

That's ultimately determined by the host, and decisions are generally based on convention. My personal opinion is that no one should ever go anywhere expecting a free lunch, but if a consultant or auditor has come from far away, and can't reasonably be expected to know his way around the area, it's common courtesy to provide lunch. On the other hand, with "regulars" who are coming and going all the time, it's normal for something reciprocal to happen, especially in the case of purchasing people and suppliers, where the appearance of a quid pro quo arrangement could be a problem.

 

[barbt]

My personal opinion is that no one should ever go anywhere expecting a free lunch,

Thank you. That is my feeling on this subject, this is not about what constitutes good manners, or defines a good host.


B

 

[Jim Howe]

free lunch

As I recall, in the 1980's it was TABOO for any consideration/gratuity to be given and may even have been regulatory. I am referring to both lunch or even continental breakfast that was always served during Company, Customer and/or Government auditors/inspectors contract and/or audit reviews. The chairman got around this restriction by placing a cup on the serving table into which those who were restricted from accepting such gratuities could make an offering.
In the 1990's things had changed. It was my obligation (as QA Manager) to take the visiting party (non-government) to the free lunch under company president order. It was understood that this would not take place at a fast food place and yes drinks were the order of the day.
Today, I find myself in a position that is not privy to such things so I can not speak to it.
Just thought a little history might be in order.

 

[Craig H.]

When it comes to our third party auditors, our contract states that we are responsible for travel, meals, and lodging. So, we have to pay for their meals one way or the other. That said, some of the most beneficial conversations I have had with our auditors have taken place during time spent off site, and to me the small additional cost of me joining the auditor is a small price to pay.

Of course I do admit I like my steak, rare if you please.

 

[barbt]

Should we differentiate between types of guests?

What if our consulting guest were not an auditor? Perhaps this guest could be the electrician, or the painter, here for a few days of work at a time- is the maintenance manager on the hook for their lunch?




Barb

 

[tarheels4 - 2007]

What if our consulting guest were not an auditor? Perhaps this guest could be the electrician, or the painter, here for a few days of work at a time- is the maintenance manager on the hook for their lunch?

Barb

When I audit for a CB the customers pays. Like Craig says it is in the contract.

When I am consulting I usually pay for lunch unless they insist. Consulting pays more than auditing anyway.