Despite its role in breaking up the working day — and giving employees a much-needed time out from their computer screen — many British office workers see lunchtime as another mundane part of their daily ritual.
Office supplies provider Viking discovered that 81% of British workers are bored of what they eat for lunch every day, with one in six eating the same lunch every day for the past two years.
By compiling data from lunchtime search engine terms across the country, the company also discovered the UK's most popular office lunche — including the likes of potato soup and a tuna sandwich, the resulting meal probably leaves something to be desired for many office workers.
In order to inspire British workers to go beyond the realms of soup and a sandwich, Viking asked people around the world what they have for lunch at work and created an infographic that shows the array of options out there.
With profiles for a variety of countries, from Austria to Brazil, the infographic contains an example meal for each nation alongside some information about where workers tend to eat and how long they take away from their desks.
Business Insider compiled the selection of examples, including some of our own favourite lunchtime meals from other countries, to create a list of how people all over the world enjoy their lunch hour — from taking in a homemade meal to grabbing something from a nearby cafe.
Scroll on to discover what people have for lunch at work in 16 countries around the world.
AUSTRIA: Schnitzel, salad, new potatoes.
Austrian workers enjoy sitting down to a filling and substantial hot meal during their lunch break. One of Austria's national dishes, schnitzel, makes for the perfect option. Flattened meat is coated in breadcrumbs then fried, and is best partnered with buttery new potatoes and a fresh green salad.
BRAZIL: Feijoada, rice, coconut water.
Feijoada is a slow-cooked stew of beans and meat in a rich gravy. This classic Brazilian dish can be found in barbecue restaurants or sold by street food vendors and is best served with rice, washed down with some refreshing coconut water.
CHINA: A bian dang containing rice, meat or eggs, dumplings, and crunchy vegetables.
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Chinese employees will either bring a packed lunch from home or buy a "bian dang" on their way to the office. This boxed up meal, whose name literally translates as "convenience," often contains rice, fried meat or eggs, dumplings, and vegetables.
Some employees in China are reportedly encouraged to take a short nap after lunch to encourage productivity in the afternoon. As a result, some establishments will give their workers up to two hours away from their desks in the middle of the day.
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