Strangely, as I prepare to return to office, bananas are flooding my memories. Read on and it will make sense.

Before the pandemic, free assorted fruits were provided to the employees at work twice a week. Being early to office gave me bird’s eye view of the fruit dynamics.

The fruit baskets were strategically placed all over the floor. As soon as it arrived, instant messages were broadcast to all corners of the floor.

Within seconds, there was a congregation near the basket and I must admit it was much quicker and orderly than mock fire drills.

Colleagues stuck at meetings had already struck deal with others to get fruits for them and the executive assistants made sure bosses got their share of healthy snacks.

Unexpectedly, I also observed that it fostered teamwork and cross functional collaboration. The boundaries disappeared, issues were discussed and resolved around the fruit basket. It was a great team building initiative.

The star of the show was always – “The Bananas”

Bananas were the most popular fruit, you cannot be late. Surprisingly, bananas won the contest hand down at both GE and Barclays in the past decade. I do not know whether it is our evolutionary urge or the nature’s practical packaging. Whatever the reason, I learned not to underestimate the power of the humble bananas.

As I return to office, I wonder about the serial hoarder’s bananas in the office locker, whatever happened to that 18 month old banana?

Inexplicably, it is the exact opposite at home. Nobody eats bananas and it is usually discarded at the end of the week. There must be some deep anthropological reason or some sort of fuzzy behavioural economics hypothesis. However, if you are the one encouraging others at home to eat bananas, it is a sign that you have entered mid-life (apologies for breaking the news and welcome to the club).


On a serious note:

Growing up in India, I have always enjoyed eating different varieties of bananas – Yelakki or Elaichi was my favourite followed by Rasthali and Nendran was great for chips/crisps.

Sadly, you only get Cavendish bananas in the supermarkets across the western world. Blame it on “Banana Republic” and that's a discussion for another day.

Epilogue:

If you were late to office or you do not have friends at work then green apples are for you. They were unloved.

Have Bananas ever lost popularity contests in the corporate world? Let the world know.

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