Not so long ago we had a luncheon here at work. I think it was part of a big all-day meeting. Hell, it could have been the Christmas party for all I know. It was a couple years ago so my memory is hazy. Upon the arrival of the lunching hour, on my way to the cafeteria I dawdled for a few minutes and was one of the last people to arrive. By then the line to the tables with the aluminum bins of food stretched the length of the room and out the door. I would have to wait in line for a plate full of mediocre food and to add insult to injury I would probably have to sit next to one of my many co-workers who have a body odor problem. I waited a minute or two and stepped out of line. I decided that waiting in line to belly up to what’s essentially a long trough is beneath me.

I walked back to my office to get my coat and on the way ran into one of the other technicians. He reminded me that there’s free food upstairs to which I replied “I know. I’m going to Portillo’s.”

That lunch was a life-changing experience for me. I had escaped the lure of the free “trough” lunch. I would rather pay for my lunch than be served like a swine.