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You are talking in extremes. No one is saying you or anyone else should be chatting all day about non work related topics. Instead you need to find a middle ground.
"Finding a middle ground" doesn't even apply here. Your posts suggest people who don't talk much are SO miserable to be around, they should be forced to talk and open up when the reality is a lot of those people leave everyone alone. Why seek out the attention of someone who won't talk much anyway, when there are other people who do talk much? It's like going to a party and then honing in on the person who's just enjoying their drink quietly at a table and making them enjoy the party more. What's the point?
Study after study has shown that employees who like each other as people and exchange SOME conversation about non work topics during slow times work more effectively as a team. And the 21st Century workplace is all about teams.
Yes, no one wants to work with someone who is talking all day about non work related topics but some friendly conversation is to be encouraged, it builds trust and comfort in the team.
When we interview candidates the ones who seem to fit in with the team socially will be at a strong advantage. Many of our hiring managers will start the interview with small talk to see if the candidate will be someone the team will want around. Few people want to work with someone who is ALL BUSINESS.
To be honest, that's only a Generation X attitude. It's one of the generational specifics they taught us Boomer managers back in the early 90s.
I doubt the typical person wouldn't be willing to do some small talk about the Superbowl or what have you, and then after they get hired become all business.
I'm not a typical person. I know nothing about Superbowl and I'm not interested in weather talks. I am friendly and loyal but don't like increasing the entropy by useless talk. Does it mean I should not be hired?
This is no longer my father’s workplace. I have no interest in your kids, some football game you watched last night or your troubles. I’m just here to sell my time.
"Finding a middle ground" doesn't even apply here. Your posts suggest people who don't talk much are SO miserable to be around, they should be forced to talk and open up when the reality is a lot of those people leave everyone alone. Why seek out the attention of someone who won't talk much anyway, when there are other people who do talk much? It's like going to a party and then honing in on the person who's just enjoying their drink quietly at a table and making them enjoy the party more. What's the point?
I am not sure if the party analogy is similar. Talking to a person alone at a table is better than interrupting people that are already talking to each other. I assume people going to parties are there to socialize at least a little. Otherwise, just enjoy a drink at home. At work, there are all types.
As to work, it is best if we can adapt to quiet, social people and people that are about average in that regard. Most of us will work with all those types at some point in our lives. I agree there have been exaggerations of quieter people in some of the posts.
I am not sure if the party analogy is similar. Talking to a person alone at a table is better than interrupting people that are already talking to each other. I assume people going to parties are there to socialize at least a little. Otherwise, just enjoy a drink at home. At work, there are all types.
As to work, it is best if we can adapt to quiet, social people and people that are about average in that regard. Most of us will work with all those types at some point in our lives. I agree there have been exaggerations of quieter people in some of the posts.
My point is, why is there a NEED to get that quiet person who barely talks to anyone to talk? If they're actually working, no one complains about them and they embody a modicum of professionalism, what is the real problem?
I'm not a typical person. I know nothing about Superbowl and I'm not interested in weather talks. I am friendly and loyal but don't like increasing the entropy by useless talk. Does it mean I should not be hired?
I agree with your sentiment than you think. No, it doesn't mean you shouldn't get hired, and I was primarily responding to "HR DIR's" posts.
My point is, why is there a NEED to get that quiet person who barely talks to anyone to talk? If they're actually working, no one complains about them and they embody a modicum of professionalism, what is the real problem?
You are right. There should not be a problem with it.
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