Friday Lunch

Friday lunchtime has been declared a zone of special significance by UNESCO's World Heritage Committee, in recognition of its contribution to long weekends. For some years now, Friday lunchtimes have been under threat from employers wishing to increase the productivity of their staff. In its heyday during the 60s and 70s, Friday afternoon was a weekly festival, often extending well into the evening. Even when employees did return to work, the amount of alcohol consumed was usually sufficient to ensure that no actual work got done. Since that time, stricter employment practices, tighter budgets and more disappointing pub snacks have combined to destroy this traditional way of life. In fact, in the most extreme cases, erosion has seen the average Friday lunch break dwindle to a meagre ten minutes.

Although these lunches may forever be a thing of the past, this latest move is designed to preserve what little remains. As a World Heritage Site, Friday lunchtime will join such iconic landmarks as the Pyramids at Giza, the Great Barrier Reef and Tuesday morning, just before half past ten. And being awarded protected status will both raise the profile of this important national treasure, and attract funding for renovation and repair. Also, no one will be allowed to build on it, so, you know, that's probably a good thing, yes?