One of the great pleasures of working is an invitation to a "Going Away" lunch.
These events are typically necessitated by a co-worker who is voluntarily leaving for greener pastures. They have already put in their two weeks notice, and are simply wrapping up HR issues, cleaning porn off their laptops and dropping by your desk for goodbye conversations.
Not all "Going Away" lunches are created equal, however, as the best ones constitute an invitation by another department for a departing colleague that you barely even know. 
This occurred yesterday as I scored a lengthy lunch at PF Changs, which gave me the opportunity to sit at the far end of the table with a small group of co-workers and attack lettuce wraps, lemon pepper shrimp and kung pao scallops. 
The action was at the far end of the table where the person with the impending departure was holding court with his immediate department.
The key is to validate your invitation early, and then move far away.
I walked into the restaurant, saw the guy at one end of the table, clapped him on the back and said a few pithy and parting words before scurrying to opposite end to carve out a territory for my other work friends.
Two hours later, the meal was finished and the tab was picked up by the company. I was able to relax, stay on the fringes and soak up a good meal while considerably shortening a Monday.
This was work at its finest.
-BDS
Oh you gotta love those long luncheons, no matter what the occasion. Especially on a Monday and especially at PF Changs. I love that place! It's making my mouth water just thinking about it...
"Cleaning porn from laptop"...that would take my entire 2 week notice !
That food sounds yummy!!
I'm not a fan of luncheons to be honest. I just find them uncomfortable and a bit odd....though free food is always good.
Jlee - Sounds like you now have lunch plans today. Ha. It was good & even better when it's free. Enjoy.
Heff - Ha. Mabye longer, eh? Then again, I prefer to retire the older stuff. We all have our own way to handle this I suppose.
Miss Ash - It was really good, and I think you could even find a few things to eat there. Ha. I'm with you on luncheons in general, but if you can hide with a few decent co-workers, far away from the main action, then I think it's worth the trouble. Usually.
Oh Jeez, I love those Lettuce Wraps. Totally worth having to go out for a work lunch.
If I left, I think I would just smash my computer and say "buy a new one" - but it's not "porn", but my entire blog.
anything to break up the day
That was classic!....But I feel compelled to let everyone know that I truely HATE chinese food.
Anonymous Boxer - You and me both. Those wraps are some tasty devils. And I know what you mean about the blog as that's where I would be outed, shamed, etc. Let's hope it doesn't come to that, eh?
Nobich - Exactly. Two hours less is always a good thing.
TrinabeingTrina - This is better than a lot of Chinese food. I bet you could find something you like on the menu as they have chicken, beef, fish, etc. and most is pretty good. Then again, I don't like Tofu/most vegetarian dishes so . . .
I love me some PF Chang's lettuce wraps. Good score!
Anything that work pays for, I'm all for doing. Be it lunch, a hockey game, golf... whatever. I'm just cheap that way :)
And they say there's no such thing as a free lunch...Way to go $2.
Native Minnow - You and me both. Those things are delicious and don't make me want to take a nap all afternoon.
Grace - I think it's more about taking advantage of your surroundings and just good business to have work pick up the tab. Was that covered in some of yr. business classes? Ha. If not, it should be as I would consider this to be a vital skill to learn.
Gypsy - I know. I generally agree with that expression about no free lunch, but in this case, it was largely the opposite. The only downside was having to talk about work, but you can only ask for so much I supose.
great goodbye lunch mojo you have there.
PF CHnags lettuce wraps are SO good. oh my, my mouth actually just watered. I may need to pull the birthday card and get my coworkers to take me there.
*sigh* that's the downside of working from home with a company that's overseas, sugar, it's just me here! wait, hold the phone, i think i'll take me out to lunch tomorrow!! :)
Vivavavoom - I know what you mean. It had been far too long since I'd eaten those things as I could consume them everyday and not get tired of them. Use your birthday card and get you some.
Savanah - That's tough, but I think you hit on a good idea - take yourself out and charge the company. You get the best of both worlds and don't have to make small talk with co-workers either. Ha.