Sociable lunches may reduce work performance

The Washington Post:

Lunch at a restaurant with a friend could lessen the brain’s aptitude for detailed tasks back at work, a new study suggests. If an error-free afternoon is the goal, perhaps workers should consider hastily consuming calories alone at their desks.

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The news is not all bad for those who dine out, Sommer says. Being less rigidly focused might come in handy when navigating sticky social situations or solving problems creatively. Sommer’s lab is testing the effects of social meals on workers’ creativity and generosity.

“Being a little less focused could be good or bad, depending on the situation,” says psychologist Paul Rozin of the University of Pennsylvania. “If you’re running the control tower at the airport, you wouldn’t want this. But if you’re trying to think of a new idea, you might.”

Read the whole story: The Washington Post