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A new office \u201csnackiquette\u201d guide has been launched \u2013 which suggests smoked mackerel, boiled eggs, and noisy crisps should never be eaten near colleagues. Etiquette expert, and star of \u201cHelp I Sexted my Boss\u201d podcast, William Hanson, advises against tucking into anything with a strong odour, such as eggs or fish, so we don\u2019t annoy those sitting near us. And slurping on a straw is also bad for office harmony.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, he says pears, soft sweets, and yoghurts are the perfect work snacks \u2013 although oranges and apples are also seen as \u201cno-no\u2019s\u201d.<\/p>\n
The guide\u2019s launch follows research which found fresh fruit, yoghurts, chocolate, and biscuits were seen as acceptable office snacks, according to employees.<\/p>\n
A study of 2,000 office workers, commissioned by Yoplait, revealed 65 percent find the smell of foods most annoying in the office, while 43 percent are irritated by the sound of chewing.<\/p>\n
Nutritionist Dr Frankie Phillips said: \u201cMore than half (53 percent) of those in the survey admitted that their snack choices aren\u2019t as healthy as they\u2019d like to be, while 58 percent of workers also opt for snacks to boost their energy levels.<\/p>\n
\u201cSwitching to yoghurt would be a healthier choice, as well as scoring a 10 on office etiquette.\u201d<\/p>\n
It also emerged smoked mackerel and boiled eggs were the most offensive foods to snack on, followed by egg sandwiches, curry, and kebabs.<\/p>\n
The most annoying or rude things a colleague can do is steal someone\u2019s food (63 percent), bring in smelly food (61 percent), and not wash up after themselves (59 percent).<\/p>\n
It also emerged 24 percent are irritated when someone snacks next to them, and doesn\u2019t offer them anything.<\/p>\n
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And almost a quarter (24 percent) have even experienced others eating their snacks without their permission.<\/p>\n
However, 81 percent snack in the office \u2013 and a bold 15 percent frequently choose to eat snacks with high potential to offend their colleagues.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, almost half (42 percent) have been told by a colleague they\u2019re being annoying with their snack choice.<\/p>\n
But over seven in ten (72 percent) of those polled, via OnePoll, said a snack is something they tend to look forward to, to brighten up their working day.<\/p>\n
The \u201csnackiquette\u201d guide, created by Yoplait Skyr in collaboration with William Hanson, provides detailed insight into some dos and don\u2019ts to avoid irritating others \u2013 including eating nothing bigger than your thumbnail when in a meeting.<\/p>\n
Eight in ten reckon eating on a work call is completely unacceptable \u2013 which aligns with William\u2019s thoughts, as he recommends eating nothing bigger than a breath mint when connecting digitally or in the office.<\/p>\n
William Hanson added: \u201cThere are plenty of dos and don\u2019ts when it comes to workplace snacking that many will not have thought of, so it is well worth familiarising with the \u201csnackiquette\u201d guide before chomping in the office or at home again anytime soon.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor all you know, you could be irritating some of your closest colleagues or even your partner, but they just don\u2019t have the heart to tell you.\u201d<\/p>\n
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