What I think would not warrant a complaint on a public forum.

the girls on reception at our doctor's office eat their morning tea / lunch at the front desk sometimes - I guess they have no choice?

yuck.... 

cross contamination... keep sick people and your food totally apart.. 

I think it is an obligation to supply your workers time away from their desks so they can eat and relax.... if I saw anyone eating at reception I would think the boss was mean. 

I was served by a lady at Australia Post the other day. She was eating her lunch whilst serving customers.

If there is a designated lunch room then I would expect my staff to use it.

Front office (reception) is like the cover of a book - first impressions count and having to wait for someone to finish a mouthful of food before attending to a client would be off putting to say the least.

Thank you, gottabee, I totally agree.

There have been times when I've worked thru lunch to leave early, so I'll have an easily managed lunch of salad or a sandwich here at reception. Certainly not smelly food like garlic prawns or satay chicken, the smell of which is permeating the office as I write. The scented candle is no match for that powerful smell.

I can see if anyone's coming into reception as they're coming up the stairs which gives me a a few seconds to clear what's in my mouth and hide the plate behind the printer. :^O 

I don't pick up the phone if I have a mouthful of food. I can't stand hearing the sound of someone eating chips while they're talking to me and I wouldn't dream of doing it either.

I don't read a book or a magazine at reception when I'm not busy either. I think that's another bad look for a receptionist.

When I have a quiet afternoon I usually come in here to play. At least it looks like I'm typing away at some office business lol.