"Mealtime" Worth Missing " Sound"

Imagine going to lunch and on your way there meeting a co worker who simply says "mealtime" Then another  gets in the lift with you and they says  "mealtime" .and so on . Sound odd ? 
Well it happens here .When in hospitaI we  had meals in the ward  dining room ,there were at least 36 people  all, save yours truly  shouting mahlzeit so much so I felt like a human in a cage surrounded by parrots. It was deafening . At times  I'd respond with "Hallo" or "bon appetite". In all the years here it's the part of German Culture I cannot take on board since I don't feel genuine ,therefore  uncomfortable using this word.I'll say hallo with the best etc but a barked  'Mealtime' just doesn't do it for me. 
Mealtime in Germany  
 Thanks to JDO for hosting the challenge