米国 ランチブレーク

The Evolution of Law Firm Lunch
1時間でいくら稼ぐかが昇進に影響する米国の法律事務所のAssociateの多くは昼食時間を惜しんで働いているのでしょう。それとは対照的にサマーキャンプAssociateで法律事務所で働く学生達は長時間のランチ時間を楽しむ（？）ようです。ランチ時間の振る舞いも将来自分がその事務所に雇ってもらえるかどうかの判断要因になるようなので長時間のランチは却って気が重くなりそうですが・・・

以下の類別がユニークです。サマーキャンプAssociate→Associate→Senior Associate　と段々ランチ時間が短くなっていき同期生も事務所を辞めて田舎に帰ったり転職したりします。そして最後にPartnerとなって2時間のパワーランチが復活します。
この記事では長いコメントをはしょっていますのでぜひ、リンク先のオリジナル記事を読んでください。米国の法律事務所の一旦を垣間見ることができて面白いです。
SUMMER CAMP
Duration: Two hours.
Menu: Crab bisque, pan-seared mahimahi with a chutney salsa, lemon bar, coffee.
Attendees: Summer associates and attorney recruiters.
Conversation: "Where is the retreat this year? Don't forget your sunblock!"
Picking up the tab: The Firm.

THE EARLY YEARS
Duration: One hour.
Menu: Penne pasta with pesto and grilled chicken, Coke.
Attendees: Four of your closest classmates.
Conversation: "Should I stop billing when I go to the bathroom?" （当たり前だ！） "How is it possible to sit still long enough to bill nine hours a day?" （用が済んだらさっさと帰れ）
Picking up the tab: You're on your own, but with the cash you are making -- and no family to support yet -- it's still practically free.

THE AWKWARD ADOLESCENT YEARS (By year 4)
Duration: 30 minutes.
Menu: Club sandwich, pickle spear, Doritos, Diet Coke.
Attendees: You and one of the other two remaining "endangered species" from your starting class of 50.
Conversation: "I always thought Linda was a Lifer. I can't believe she quit to start her own specialty chocolate store. I mean, her truffles are amazing, but she was a sixth-year. She was almost there, almost ready to make a bid for partnership!"
Picking up the tab: If you aren't already bringing your lunch from home, you're paying for yourself but limiting your expenses in order to stay in budget. With the 20 percent survival rate of Cogs, you have reason to worry about how your mortgage will be paid if you, too, fail to hang on.

THE DARK YEARS
If you manage to survive long enough to become a senior associate, you will enter the dark lunch years.
Duration: Five minutes.
Menu: Peanut butter crackers, tap water in a foam cup.
Attendees: You and your laptop.
Conversation: Silent voice in your head saying, "It is worth it!"
Picking up the tab: You'd better keep a roll of quarters for the vending machine.

THERE'S HOPE!
at least if you make partner. Well, not the junior partner years
Duration: Two hours -- often billable!
Menu: Selection of Old World cheeses, flank steak with new potatoes, chocolate mousse soufflé, red wine, café au lait.
Attendees: You, one of your partners and both the VP and the CEO from UberCorp.
Conversation: "That deal was amazing for the company and the Firm! We've achieved a real 'synergy.'"
Picking up the tab: One way or another -- the client. Free lunches are back! Yee-haw!