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It's not part of the job description - it's just part of being a member of a community of humans. You certainly aren't required to socialize, but you'll get a long a lot better with your co-workers and you'll feel a lot better about working there. If you don't, everyone else at the workplace will be a little uneasy around you. Not mean or cruel, just not that comfortable.
I've never had the experience of co-workers using personal information against me. I guess if you have good relationships with them you don't have to worry about that much.
It's not part of the job description - it's just part of being a member of a community of humans. You certainly aren't required to socialize, but you'll get a long a lot better with your co-workers and you'll feel a lot better about working there. If you don't, everyone else at the workplace will be a little uneasy around you. Not mean or cruel, just not that comfortable.
I've never had the experience of co-workers using personal information against me. I guess if you have good relationships with them you don't have to worry about that much.
I just don't think coworkers should be "in the know" of my personal life unless they're my friends. I get your point, though. Never said socializing wasn't helpful. Some people don't mind spilling the beans about everything and anything, particularly if their lives are more conventional. Some do, though, for one reason or another.
I'm not trying to convince anybody what's right or wrong. Just attempting to explain that not everybody feels the same way and once given a hint, it's best to back off.
Unfortunately some people do stereotype based on nationality. When you are the new person, everyone wants to 'stick you in a group.' Try to do your job, keep your head down and be a nice person. That will shine through more than 'where you are from.'
You shouldn't have to reveal any personal information you aren't comfortable with. I knew someone who would answer this question, "I'm a citizen of the world!" with a grin, and people just usually grinned back.
SierraAZ I agree. Its not meant to be rude or aloof but I feel that in the work force the less people know about you the better off you will be. I feel it's better to be civil, exchange courtesies and not indulge in gossip and know who to look out for.
SierraAZ I agree. Its not meant to be rude or aloof but I feel that in the work force the less people know about you the better off you will be. I feel it's better to be civil, exchange courtesies and not indulge in gossip and know who to look out for.
Thanks for your responses.
If everyone you work with went no farther than to exchange courtesies, how would you know who to look out for?
I ask that question whenever I encounter a last name that intrigues me. I'm not trying to pry, just to strike up a conversation. Where I grew up, the names are pretty generic, whereas mine has a definite distinction of being different. I would ask a new co-worker if their name struck as as a name I'd never heard before, or wanted to learn more about. I love to hear the stories people share about their family history. Again, I don't pry it out of them, but they know I'm interested if they want to share.
I ask that question whenever I encounter a last name that intrigues me. I'm not trying to pry, just to strike up a conversation. Where I grew up, the names are pretty generic, whereas mine has a definite distinction of being different. I would ask a new co-worker if their name struck as as a name I'd never heard before, or wanted to learn more about. I love to hear the stories people share about their family history. Again, I don't pry it out of them, but they know I'm interested if they want to share.
You have to be very careful doing this, especially as a supervisor.
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