How do people make it through a full day at work without talking to anyone? (degree, jobs)

[ihatetucson]

How do I make it through an 8 hour day without talking to anybody? When I was working, it was EASY! The co-workers were not on the same IQ level as I was, most of the guys at work were party animals, and not only that they all smoked (even the boss). I just put on my headphones and listen to my XM radio.

[ReturningWest]

Most of the jobs/professions I've had involved interacting with people to some extent. I really liked my last job as a title examiner, I'd communicate with my office via email, fax and phone. I still did communicate in the deed room as it is a public place and I'd need to ask clerks for copies, suit files ect. But, I have worked in corp. America and hated it...the office politics drove me crazy and I always seemed to be on the loosing end as I had a life outside of the office and tried not to get drug into it.

[njmike]

I deal with the public and "have" to talk to them even if I'm having a bad day and don't feel up to it. Talking to them does make the day go by quicker and I've met some interesting people.

[njmike]

Originally Posted by annika08

I work 3rd shift at a hotel. The best nights are the ones where not a single person comes in or calls on the phone!

I used to work 3rd shift in a few hotels and resorts and I agree with you. It seems the only ones who want to talk are the ones who "over-indulged". Now I'm working in a store on 1st and 2nd shifts and it's a completely different atmosphere.

[JetJockey]

I work in the parts room and rarely have interaction with the rest of the office. Occasionally the mechanics will come in, or someone will call to have me order something, but generally I'm by myself and I quite enjoy it Days fly by, stuff gets done MY way and I basically run my own mini-business away from everyone else.

[midchild]

To me staying quiet makes the day go by much quicker. But when I remained quiet most of the time, a lot of people thought I was either conceited, stuck up, or just an *******. Im not although. its no big deal tho.

[kattwoman2]

Originally Posted by bande1102

Well, we couldn't talk at our cubicles. We could leave the work area and go to the lunchroom or outside to converse. For example, quiet time was between 9-12 and after that you could talk about work-related issues. To tell you the truth before they instituted that rule, there were coworkers who wandered and talked incessantly. And the rest of us picked up their slack. Not sure I agreed with the enforced quiet time, but I saw the point.

Yeah, I think I agree with you on that point. It's a little excessive, but that could get quite annoying and I would probably have gotten mad if I were forced to pick up someone else's slack. I do it sometimes, but only if I'm not super busy or if it's something I can do quickly.

Originally Posted by ihatetucson

How do I make it through an 8 hour day without talking to anybody? When I was working, it was EASY! The co-workers were not on the same IQ level as I was, most of the guys at work were party animals, and not only that they all smoked (even the boss). I just put on my headphones and listen to my XM radio.

LOL! Amen to that! Though, just about every single one of my co-workers is old enough to be my mother/father (well, older than them actually). Many of them have kids my age. I also live in the South too, so with the exception of one other person, everyone in the office is very conservative and very religious. I'm pretty liberal when it comes to social issues and open-minded and spiritual. They talk about NASCAR and American Idol, I talk about foreign politics and debate the interpretation of the Bible. Not all Southerners are like this, but when it comes to me socializing in the office I make some small talk but I don't stand around and chit-chat with people or else I would have to lie a lot. However, if I need help with something or need a break I will go around and talk to people and make innocent jokes about things such as "Bless you! I think you're allergic to work!" And we will start talking about how it would be cool to work from home and have meetings in their pajamas .

I am a very social person and I love to talk to new people. However, I do get nervous around my co-workers b/c I'll want to talk to them about politics or religion or something interesting like that. Now, I'm not saying if they don't believe how I believe then they're stupid. I like a good debate to be honest b/c I learn a lot and even have some views changed from those who make a great case. However, most of the co-workers tend to make arguments like "God hates gay people b/c my preacher said so," or "Obama can't be president b/c he's a Muslim."

[PurpleLove08]

I generally keep to myself a lot...
At work, I generally talk to people but when I first started working at my job, I could work my whole shift (5 hours at that time) and not talk to anyone but the people on the phone I have to call.

On the weekends, when I go in for extra hours, I generally come in, say a few words to the supervisor, sit down, and do my job.
It all depends on who I sit by.

I sometimes bring a book to read because my job can get quite boring.

Talking to people tends to make the night go by faster but some nights I am just fine just staying to myself in my little cubicle.
I go to my car a lot on my breaks and listen to the radio or make some phone calls.

[Rakhi]

When I first started working in my current job, I wanted to be friendly with everyone. It just didnt work (for various reasons) and I have decided that its better I keep to myself. I do talk to my team and get the work done, but nothing more. It seems to be working for the team as well as for me. Getting lonely at work is another thing which I learnt to deal with later with time.

[GypsySoul22]

My husband works the night shift, mainly alone. He is not a people person and felt it was a dream job (half of the crap at work is dealing with co-workers, their mental problems or their stupid antics...true?). But he gets lonely, now, too.