As dumble said, tell them that out of pocket lunch expenses are not in your budget at the time and you prefer to eat what you brought from home.
I’ve never actually attended a farewell lunch, especially for someone whom I barely know.
Hopefully this won’t affect your standing with your colleagues, but they should be accepting of your situation.
dumblederp@aussie.zone 1 week ago
I reckon I’ve listed them in order of acceptability and reverse order of what I’d want to do.
just_kitten@aussie.zone 1 week ago
2 is a really good option, probably what I’d do as well. The other time we had a work lunch at a nearby pub that was eye wateringly expensive, I didn’t eat and later when the idea of going there was floated again I just straight up said it was nice but out of my budget. Only then did some colleagues chime in to agree. Just gotta be brave sometimes
MeanElevator@aussie.zone 1 week ago
Very well put.