Social interaction at work...

[pete6032]

So I quit my old job a few weeks ago and just started a new job. The reason I quit was because this new job provided better career development opportunities. My old office had over 100 people in it, and this new office I am in has 4 people in it - myself, my boss, one coworker, and one person who works on unrelated company projects.

Aside from meetings with my boss and co-worker, I basically have no social interaction with anyone the entire day. Our work is all done on computers, and almost all of it self-directed, and we only convene to discuss progress we've made. Zero phone conversations, zero client visits, nothing. The office is silent 99% of the day. Nobody socializes outside of quick 2-3 minute small-talk conversations, and nobody eats lunch together.

I really like the work I am doing, it is very interesting and is good for developing my resume and learning skills in my field, but I am afraid I am going to turn into a hermit/recluse. I'm a very quiet person, but this is testing my limits. The last two days I have come home I have felt like I had no meaningful contact or conversation with anyone the whole day, and that feels terrible. Has anyone ever worked in an office like this? I don't know what to do. The work is exactly what I want but the office experience is just terrible.

 

[BoomerD]

You get paid to work, not to socialize...that's what bars are for.

 

[OverVolt]

Start hitting the bar. I'm in a similar situation. I'm sizing up bars where I'll try to be a regular, hah.

I would listen to music at work and watch happy TV shows as well. Ones with alot of humor/positive interaction. I know it sounds silly, but any kind of TV show where the cast actually gets along puts me in a good mood.

 

[Ns1]

Has anyone ever worked in an office like this? I don't know what to do. The work is exactly what I want but the office experience is just terrible.

is that the office environment by design, or is that just the way it is because y'all are introverted recluses?

If the former then that's what you signed up for and you deal or get out. If it's the latter, you try to socialize with your coworkers and if it doesn't work out and you can't live with it, you get out.

Cuz for some people that office environment sounds like paradise.

 

[highland145]

but I am afraid I am going to turn into a hermit/recluse. I'm a very quiet person, but this is testing my limits. The last two days I have come home I have felt like I had no meaningful contact or conversation with anyone the whole day, and that feels terrible. Has anyone ever worked in an office like this? I don't know what to do. The work is exactly what I want but the office experience is just terrible.

Eff, all day long, I'm by myself unless a customer comes in. That is good for business but it sure does interfere with my netflix, ATOT, gaming, midget porn....I love being by myself.

Edzachery what you want for work? Count your blessings and join FB or some other social media if you need to.

And you have us to keep you company so enjoy.

Robert

 

[CraKaJaX]

That sounds terrible, but in any case.... Bars, sports leagues, open mics, fishing, & gym are just some ideas that have led me to friends. And enemies.

 

[OverVolt]

That sounds terrible, but in any case.... Bars, sports leagues, open mics, fishing, & gym are just some ideas that have led me to friends. And enemies.

Ya man only a dead fish makes no waves =)

 

[highland145]

That sounds terrible, but in any case.... Bars, sports leagues, open mics, fishing, & gym are just some ideas that have led me to friends. And enemies.

Open mics requested. Keep the sea hag pics to yourself though. Thanks.

 

[BxgJ]

is that the office environment by design, or is that just the way it is because y'all are introverted recluses?

If the former then that's what you signed up for and you deal or get out. If it's the latter, you try to socialize with your coworkers and if it doesn't work out and you can't live with it, you get out.

Cuz for some people that office environment sounds like paradise.

Yeah that was my first thought. Given the bs I sometimes have had to put up with at work, it would be nice to get away from it.

 

[CraKaJaX]

Open mics requested. Keep the sea hag pics to yourself though. Thanks.

We aren't friends. Fuck off.

 

[highland145]

..

 

[Imp]

I got most of my social interaction from work at my old job. Got switched to a completely anti-social, dead office before I left. It shouldn't matter, but it did for me.

 

[clamum]

Dang, I wouldn't mind working in that office at all. I'm introverted and shy, but when I'm at work I wanna work, not socialize. That doesn't mean I won't joke around with co-workers a little bit, but by and large I keep my mouth shut and do my job.

Anyway, if you're craving social contact, get a cat. That way you can come home from work and share your day with KITTY (in a silly kitty voice, of course).

 

[z1ggy]

My g/fs cousin's husband works from home and has his own business. He pretty much has no life or friends, but he does have 4 kids. Ergo, his life = his kids.

So since it sounds liek that's not your situation, I'd say maybe go on okcupid or meetup.com, try to find a g/f or friends to do stuff with. If not that, then start a new hobby.

 

[Carson Dyle]

Corporate culture (if that's the proper term here) is something to seriously consider when taking a job. Working in a company with four people is very different than working in one with hundreds, or one with thousands.

For many people, especially those who are particularly introverted, their work and workmates make up their social life. When I first moved to town and had few friends, I'd relish going into work on Monday because I spent the weekends mostly alone. Now I'm at the other end of the deal and work at home, alone, and don't mind it at all.

Not sure if I can recommend the bar scene. I've been there, done that. It's an instant, ready-made social life, to be sure, but it's not good for you in many, many ways. Health reasons among them. Sit all day in an office chair, then spend another couple of hours on a bar stool consuming many hundreds of empty calories? Good luck with your diabetes. The other being that you'll come to realize what a massive waste of time it is to "socialize" with people who have little more in common with you than wanting to get blitzed from 5:15 PM to closing every night.

 

[Homerboy]

God, I wish i didn't have to interact with my coworkers.

 

[BoomerD]

"Hey, I have to work with you fuckers...I don't have to associate with you during my time off.:"

 

[cbrunny]

So I quit my old job a few weeks ago and just started a new job. The reason I quit was because this new job provided better career development opportunities. My old office had over 100 people in it, and this new office I am in has 4 people in it - myself, my boss, one coworker, and one person who works on unrelated company projects.

Aside from meetings with my boss and co-worker, I basically have no social interaction with anyone the entire day. Our work is all done on computers, and almost all of it self-directed, and we only convene to discuss progress we've made. Zero phone conversations, zero client visits, nothing. The office is silent 99% of the day. Nobody socializes outside of quick 2-3 minute small-talk conversations, and nobody eats lunch together.

I really like the work I am doing, it is very interesting and is good for developing my resume and learning skills in my field, but I am afraid I am going to turn into a hermit/recluse. I'm a very quiet person, but this is testing my limits. The last two days I have come home I have felt like I had no meaningful contact or conversation with anyone the whole day, and that feels terrible. Has anyone ever worked in an office like this? I don't know what to do. The work is exactly what I want but the office experience is just terrible.

you just described my dream job.

 

[Sonikku]

I'm a recluse so I would probably love that kind of job though doubt I would be qualified.

 

[lxskllr]

I work with a robot. Best coworker I've ever had.

 

[cbrunny]

So I quit my old job a few weeks ago and just started a new job. The reason I quit was because this new job provided better career development opportunities. My old office had over 100 people in it, and this new office I am in has 4 people in it - myself, my boss, one coworker, and one person who works on unrelated company projects.

Aside from meetings with my boss and co-worker, I basically have no social interaction with anyone the entire day. Our work is all done on computers, and almost all of it self-directed, and we only convene to discuss progress we've made. Zero phone conversations, zero client visits, nothing. The office is silent 99% of the day. Nobody socializes outside of quick 2-3 minute small-talk conversations, and nobody eats lunch together.

I really like the work I am doing, it is very interesting and is good for developing my resume and learning skills in my field, but I am afraid I am going to turn into a hermit/recluse. I'm a very quiet person, but this is testing my limits. The last two days I have come home I have felt like I had no meaningful contact or conversation with anyone the whole day, and that feels terrible. Has anyone ever worked in an office like this? I don't know what to do. The work is exactly what I want but the office experience is just terrible.

wait, OP, clarifying question. Is the concern that you want more contact at work or you want more contact in your entire life? Do you have a partner/friends/family/pets, etc? hobbies? Or do you just go from work where you talk to no one to home where you talk to no one?

 

[MrDudeMan]

Get an apple music or spotify account, buy some nice headphones, and do your work. Also, make a point to talk to someone around lunch time and once or twice at other times of the day. This really isn't rocket science. Jesus.