Boring colleagues
Discussion
Anyone unfortunate enough to work with excruciatingly boring colleagues?
I am office based a lot of the time and have my own desk, I share the office with 4 other chaps, 2 of which, who happen to sit closest to me are deathly dull and joyless, there is zero 'banter' (hate that word, but you know what I mean) to be had with either of them, they act like robots, the worst part is that they are young lads in their early 20's, I have tried my best to get them to open up and have a laugh, but they aren't having it. They just don't seem to have any social life or social skills, I can barely tell you anything about either of them as they will not openly tell you anything.
It could be my influence of course, but I have never worked with anyone who I haven't been able to have a laugh with and some chat, and they don't talk to the other guys in the office either.
So most of the days are spent in total silence, plugging away like machines, it's fairly soul destroying and dragging me down now as I've given up on trying with them so tend to work away in silence unless I'm on a call or dealing with a member of production who come into the office with a query.
The days are LONG working in such an environment.
I am office based a lot of the time and have my own desk, I share the office with 4 other chaps, 2 of which, who happen to sit closest to me are deathly dull and joyless, there is zero 'banter' (hate that word, but you know what I mean) to be had with either of them, they act like robots, the worst part is that they are young lads in their early 20's, I have tried my best to get them to open up and have a laugh, but they aren't having it. They just don't seem to have any social life or social skills, I can barely tell you anything about either of them as they will not openly tell you anything.
It could be my influence of course, but I have never worked with anyone who I haven't been able to have a laugh with and some chat, and they don't talk to the other guys in the office either.
So most of the days are spent in total silence, plugging away like machines, it's fairly soul destroying and dragging me down now as I've given up on trying with them so tend to work away in silence unless I'm on a call or dealing with a member of production who come into the office with a query.
The days are LONG working in such an environment.
I’d have a chat with the boss about what you can do to help improve this. A work environment where people aren’t talking is also one where people aren’t sharing issues and opportunities. Don’t have to talk all day, but to not have any interaction during it is not only no fun, but not productive either. Alternatively, ask to move desks...
A500leroy said:
Your there to work and earn money not make friends. Different scenario, if you were in the pub and saw a couple of twenty year old lads would you risk going up to them and starting a small talk convo with them?
Are you one of them posting on here? 
Please forgive me for wanting to have mild social interaction with another human being I spend 8 hours a day with.
A500leroy said:
Your there to work and earn money not make friends. Different scenario, if you were in the pub and saw a couple of twenty year old lads would you risk going up to them and starting a small talk convo with them?
I'm sorry but I can't take anyone who doesn't know the difference between 'your' and 'you're' seriously 67Dino said:
I’d have a chat with the boss about what you can do to help improve this. A work environment where people aren’t talking is also one where people aren’t sharing issues and opportunities. Don’t have to talk all day, but to not have any interaction during it is not only no fun, but not productive either. Alternatively, ask to move desks...
Cannot agree with any of this, just end up getting your card marked.There are plenty of work situations where people just work and dont want to have banter or chat and you are more likely to get yourself into hot water by pushing the idea that you want a lively atmosphere. i worked with a bloke who only said the same 5 words every day. Good morning, see you tommorrow.
Dont let it get to you.
Robbo 27 said:
67Dino said:
I’d have a chat with the boss about what you can do to help improve this. A work environment where people aren’t talking is also one where people aren’t sharing issues and opportunities. Don’t have to talk all day, but to not have any interaction during it is not only no fun, but not productive either. Alternatively, ask to move desks...
Cannot agree with any of this, just end up getting your card marked.There are plenty of work situations where people just work and dont want to have banter or chat and you are more likely to get yourself into hot water by pushing the idea that you want a lively atmosphere. i worked with a bloke who only said the same 5 words every day. Good morning, see you tommorrow.
Dont let it get to you.
Gary29 said:
Anyone unfortunate enough to work with excruciatingly boring colleagues?
I am office based a lot of the time and have my own desk, I share the office with 4 other chaps, 2 of which, who happen to sit closest to me are deathly dull and joyless, there is zero 'banter' (hate that word, but you know what I mean) to be had with either of them, they act like robots, the worst part is that they are young lads in their early 20's, I have tried my best to get them to open up and have a laugh, but they aren't having it. They just don't seem to have any social life or social skills, I can barely tell you anything about either of them as they will not openly tell you anything.
It could be my influence of course, but I have never worked with anyone who I haven't been able to have a laugh with and some chat, and they don't talk to the other guys in the office either.
So most of the days are spent in total silence, plugging away like machines, it's fairly soul destroying and dragging me down now as I've given up on trying with them so tend to work away in silence unless I'm on a call or dealing with a member of production who come into the office with a query.
The days are LONG working in such an environment.
How are old are you? Could it be you're the same age/older as their fathers and they don't see you as someone to socialise with?I am office based a lot of the time and have my own desk, I share the office with 4 other chaps, 2 of which, who happen to sit closest to me are deathly dull and joyless, there is zero 'banter' (hate that word, but you know what I mean) to be had with either of them, they act like robots, the worst part is that they are young lads in their early 20's, I have tried my best to get them to open up and have a laugh, but they aren't having it. They just don't seem to have any social life or social skills, I can barely tell you anything about either of them as they will not openly tell you anything.
It could be my influence of course, but I have never worked with anyone who I haven't been able to have a laugh with and some chat, and they don't talk to the other guys in the office either.
So most of the days are spent in total silence, plugging away like machines, it's fairly soul destroying and dragging me down now as I've given up on trying with them so tend to work away in silence unless I'm on a call or dealing with a member of production who come into the office with a query.
The days are LONG working in such an environment.
Don't worry, Gary, this doesn't apply to all those in their early 20s who start in the office, but perhaps it depends on what job sector you are in?
There'a s few who have newly started in our office who work on the recruitment team and they are all easy to talk to and chatty - but the important point is that you can maintain a balance between productivity and a pleasant atmosphere.
Sometimes you need to just be sat quietly to focus on something important, other times relax a bit and chat about last night's episode of Homeland or the new car they've just bought or whatever. I certainly couldn't work somewhere that there was no interaction between people at all. YMMV.
There'a s few who have newly started in our office who work on the recruitment team and they are all easy to talk to and chatty - but the important point is that you can maintain a balance between productivity and a pleasant atmosphere.
Sometimes you need to just be sat quietly to focus on something important, other times relax a bit and chat about last night's episode of Homeland or the new car they've just bought or whatever. I certainly couldn't work somewhere that there was no interaction between people at all. YMMV.
Jasey_ said:
Years ago I worked in a place that sounded very similar.
Lasted 3 months and had to leave or I'm sure I would have killed the lot of them !
one example of how s
te it was - At the end of my first incredibly dull week they said they went to the pub on a friday - wahey I thought - maybe they will be a bit more chatty.
Get's to the pub and I thought I'd get a round in to break the ice to be told "Oh we don't do rounds as it gets tricky if people arent here - we just give the correct change to whoever goes and get's the drinks".
My response - "well fk that I'm getting a round in - who wants one ?"
Only 1 guy took me up.
That was the final nail
Jesus Christ, you were right to leave!Lasted 3 months and had to leave or I'm sure I would have killed the lot of them !
one example of how s
te it was - At the end of my first incredibly dull week they said they went to the pub on a friday - wahey I thought - maybe they will be a bit more chatty. Get's to the pub and I thought I'd get a round in to break the ice to be told "Oh we don't do rounds as it gets tricky if people arent here - we just give the correct change to whoever goes and get's the drinks".
My response - "well f
k that I'm getting a round in - who wants one ?"Only 1 guy took me up.
That was the final nail
I'm fortunate to work with a decent bunch of lads (minus one or two).
hiding in big cardboard boxes, jump scares from behind a corner, puns about products on the shelves we do loads of mucking about.
There is a difference between scripted corporate fun at work (which are usually not fun) and person to person having a laugh.
Theres a time to knuckle down and do work but there is equal value in having a laugh at work and enjoying it.
There is a difference between scripted corporate fun at work (which are usually not fun) and person to person having a laugh.
Theres a time to knuckle down and do work but there is equal value in having a laugh at work and enjoying it.
Sadly, there are a lot of managers who also take this awful attitude as well...
...Or people simply hate their job and can't be bothered to put any effort in beyond getting through the day.
A500leroy said:
Your there to work and earn money not make friends. Different scenario, if you were in the pub and saw a couple of twenty year old lads would you risk going up to them and starting a small talk convo with them?
They can kill a workplace environment very quickly. I've seen it a number of times....Or people simply hate their job and can't be bothered to put any effort in beyond getting through the day.
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