It's usually nice to have sidekicks XD
We don't regularly do stuff like that at work, mostly because most of us are casuals that work after hours (the office staff are there during normal office hours). Our rough equivalent would be the daily smoko meetings (a few members of the various teams smoke which obviously has to happen outside away from the building and those of us that are there will usually cluster around for a chat which could be work related or could be whatever).
I think a monthly breakfast or lunch sounds pretty cool especially if you're working somewhere full time. Are the people that don't like it introverts and/or heavy compartmentalisers by any chance? :)
I think interaction is better than no interaction and if it's done right even introverts or socially awkward people can be included and made to feel comfortable; I'm pleased to say this is the case with a couple who are that way inclined but it really isn't a problem as the team helps them feel good about it.
It's funny, people whinge and whine about having to interact with others and then in COVID-19 when they couldn't they all cited mental health issues because they couldn't interact with people. Humans are idiots.
I can definitely say that I did not have that problem XD
the mental health issues from not interacting with people as I only like interacting with specific people
Sounds like your team/workplace is willing to put in the effort to make sure everyone is at least somewhat catered for which is good, sadly not everyone is like that.