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If there are people close by who share similar interests as me I have no problem kicking it after work occasionally. In Cleveland people live so spread out though that you cannot hang out on a regular basis due to travel time, children restraints, etc.
Socialize a bit, don't completely cut yourself off, as that could impact things at work. Maybe just go out one night a week, one or two lunches, play on the softball team.
I have two friends at work, but that is it. We might go out to happy hour once in awhile, but I am fairly high up where I work, and can't really socialize with everyone...it is not worth it to me. There are too many things that can affect my position if I start going to happy hour with everyone...but that is me.
My office wasn't just a few buddies go out for drinks, it was like at 5:30 the whole office would migrate over to some bar and get wasted there until 11 or so. A bunch of people would go home and a small group would go out and get wasted all night...lol.
Because of this it was more an entire office activity not just 2 or 3 guys going to grab drinks. There was also Cubs games, Kayaking trips, group lunches several times per week, trips to Florida for a few days just to get hammered.
I know it may sound cool to some but like a few others have mentioned. I have a life outside of work, I have my own friends and my own family and I already spend 50 hours a week with work people. Plus since I dont live in the city when everyone else goes home after the bar I have a cab ride back to union station and an 1.5 hour commute on the milk train stopping at every stop on the way back to the burbs.
I also agree with a few other posters that I like being social at work , maybe playing on a softball team or getting lunch occasionaly but I kind of like to keep a work/personal life seperation. Dont like to get too cool with work people or I find boundaries kind of start to blur
I absolutely love a social workplace. I'm very extroverted and miss having consistent friends. As a mom, I have to get up and leave and "do my other job" and there are not breaks. GOING to work is my break. My weekends are more work then at my desk during the week!
But I also really really liked High School too (Class of 1990), and the thing I loved most about high school was that everyone was "trapped" in the school and forced to socialize (one way or another) with each other. I LOVED THAT. They were my "co-worker" whether they liked it or not, and I got to see them everyday. (Most were friends of course)
So maybe the people who enjoyed the socialization in High School also thrive in a very social environment at their workplace?
I enjoy a workplace where everyone's at least somewhat sociable but usually don't insist on doing things together outside of work (but still maybe leave that option open.) I sparingly mix work and life...
My dad told me once "you have to work with them but not socialize with them" and I took his advice. I don't socialize nor share any personal info about home life etc, nor go out with co-workers after work. It works for me. Of course, I am known as an anti-social grouch and worse. I work 12+ hours a day with them and the last thing I want to do is spend more time with these people. I guess it's a matter of personal preference.
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