The Joy and Zen that is Free Lunch

[AFK]

My friends, is there nothing sweeter and finer than Free Lunch? 

You've been hard at work, slaving away at something that seems meaningless and trivial, yet you do it so you can put supper on the table.  Your boss drops by and says, "Can I take you to lunch?' 

In a joyous clarion, in union, you and your co-workers stand, salute, and retort "Sure."  Somehow a Turkey Club sandwhich is more savory when it is on the company's dime.

Along the same lines, the free Continental Breakfast.  Perhaps you are at an all-day training, convention, something.  You enter, get your name tag, sign-in, etc., you walk into the room, and there under almost a spot-light is the free Coffee and Pastries.  You know you are going to be sitting in a stiff, uncomfortable chair, taking in some drivel that you will never remember, but Joy of Joys, you have a seemingly endless supply of Joe and Danishes.  It's utter crap, and you know it is probably eating holes in your stomach lining, but that you don't have to plunk down some greenbacks, makes it palatable and succulent. 

Yes, my friends, Free Lunch is truly one of life's few wonders and joys.  Savor it when it comes your way.

[Mesozoic Mister Nigel]

I love it!

I have a saying; "There's a big difference between donuts, and FREE donuts".

[Requia ☣]

Can I steal the OP for trolling libertarians?

[AFK]

by all means. "Free Lunch" is free. 

[Jasper]

TANSTAAFL is a dirty word here.

[Mesozoic Mister Nigel]

As much as I like Heinlein, I would like fucking him in the ass even more.

[Richter]

As much as I like Heinlein, I would like fucking him in the ass even more.

[nostalgicBadger]

Somehow this takes me back to Macroeconomics and how much time I spent in that class devising crazy scenarios involving robots and pizzas.

[AFK]

The best plans laid were laid in macroeconomics courses. 

[Richter]

RWHN:  Your teaching have served me well.
At my buddy's graduation yesterday, we walked right into the private breakfast at the university president's house, and partook of some righteously good crepe and omelet while chatting people up. 

[AFK]

The great Goddess Butterworth compels me to spread the word. 

[Jenne]

Free breakfast wins everytime.

[Darth Cupcake]

Oh man, free breakfast is awesome.

Although local burrito place is running a promo, cause they have to raise prices $0.25, if you buy a burrito today or tomorrow, then return on Friday with the receipt from this burrito, you get a free burrito! YAY!

It's not QUITE a free lunch, more like half price lunch, but I'll take what I can get.

[Jasper]

The heart of TANSTAAFL (apologies mentioning it ITT) is that even with no-charge "freebies" there is a tacit cost, usually a string attached or some condition that serves someone else.

Far from refuting RWHN's joy, Free Lunch is rarer than you may think and therefore is all the more beautiful when it happens.

[AFK]

Oh sure, most of the places I go it's, "We're only giving you free food because otherwise there is no fucking way you'd even bother THINKING about coming to our training that is 100 miles from your office."

I mean, most of the time, I'm compelled to go to these things, and if there is any doubt of there being free food I hit the local Dunkin Donuts, Starbucks, Tim Hortons, or whatever is around.  I had to do that this morning because my agency is broke and can't afford to cater my trainings.