Migrating to Australia can be an exciting yet challenging experience, especially when adjusting to workplace norms.
One key difference Filipino workers often notice is how lunch culture varies between the two countries. From meal preferences to social dynamics, here’s what to expect when transitioning from a Filipino to an Australian workplace.
Meal preferences & traditions
In the Philippines, bringing “baon” (home-cooked meals) to work is a common practice. These meals typically consist of rice and a viand, carefully prepared and packed from home. Filipino employees enjoy meals that are often shared with colleagues during lunch break.
In contrast, Australian workplaces favour convenience when it comes to lunch. Many workers opt for takeaway options such as sandwiches, salads, or quick meals that require little to no preparation.
Coffee is also an essential part of the work culture, often accompanying lunch or serving as a midday break staple.
Length & flexibility of lunch breaks
In the Philippines, lunch breaks are longer (up to an hour) and highly social, with colleagues gathering to eat home-cooked meals together.
Australian workplaces, on the other hand, tend to have shorter and more flexible lunch breaks, usually ranging from 30 to 45 minutes. Many employees choose to take scattered breaks throughout the day instead of a single long lunch break.
It is also common for workers to eat while working, especially in fast-paced industries.
Social vs. individual culture
One of the biggest cultural adjustments for Filipino workers in Australia is the shift from a highly social lunch culture to a more individualistic one. In the Philippines, lunch is a communal activity where colleagues gather, eat together, and even share food, fostering strong workplace relationships.
In Australia, lunch is often a personal activity, with many employees eating alone or stepping out briefly for a quick bite. Instead of long communal lunches, Australians rely on coffee breaks as their main form of social interaction, where casual chats happen over a cup of coffee rather than over a full meal.
Workplaces typically have pantries and kitchen facilities that include microwave ovens, dining tables, and fridges, offering spaces for workers to prepare meals or reheat lunch boxes.
However, Australia is a country of immigrants, with a diverse workforce that brings various lunch traditions into the workplace.
While the general lunch culture leans towards convenience and quick meals, many employees from Asian, Mediterranean, and Middle Eastern backgrounds continue to bring home-cooked meals, similar to the Filipino baon tradition.
For example, Greek and Italian workers often bring homemade pasta or salads, while Indian employees may have curry and rice. This cultural diversity means that while individualistic lunch habits are common, shared meals and social lunches still thrive in many workplaces.
Adapting to the change
For Filipinos moving to Australia, adjusting to this new lunch culture may take some time. However, there are ways to navigate the differences:
- Join coffee breaks – While long lunches may not be common, coffee breaks are a great way to engage with colleagues.
- Find like-minded co-workers – Some workplaces have employees who also prefer communal lunches. Finding these groups can help maintain the Filipino tradition of eating together.
- Try local food options – Embracing Australian lunch habits, such as trying sandwiches or salads, can help with adaptation while still incorporating elements of Filipino cuisine into packed meals.
- Respect workplace norms – While bringing “baon” is perfectly acceptable, being mindful of workplace culture—such as avoiding strong-smelling food in shared spaces—can foster a positive work environment.
Adjusting to the lunch culture in Australia may feel different at first, but as a Filipino migrant, being open-minded and respectful of other cultures makes the transition easier.
Although communal lunchtime tradition may not be as common, and newcomers often miss spending time together with long-time colleagues and friend, embracing new habits like shorter breaks and coffee catch-ups can help with workplace integration.
With a willingness to adapt and an appreciation for cultural diversity, blending Filipino traditions with Australian work culture becomes a smooth and enriching experience.