question about workplace behavior

[rocco]

i got a new job. my dad's been telling me to always say "hi" and try to strike up a conversation with everyone. i was like "whatever." my mindset going to work is, that i'm going to go there, do a good job, and go home. My life belongs outside of the workplace, and I would like to keep the socializing in the office at the minimum.

it seems like some of the people at the office, love to socialize. it just seems so FAKE. their obviously socializing to get ahead in their positions, imho.

here's the problem. there are some catty behavior going around, and i don't want to be singled out. i'm trying to stay away from the office drama. what's the best way of staying out of the office drama?

my goal at work is to get my work done, get paid and leave a happy man everyday. and hopefully get promoted for doing well at what i do at work in the future.

 

[Serialized3]

I'd agree with your dad on the being social part. You don't have to make any best friends but it's never a bad idea to be on friendly terms with as many people as possible.

The easist way to stay out of drama is not to do scandalous sh!t. Avoid gossip, don't date your coworkers, and don't get invovled in cut-throat workplace politics.

 

[rocco]

well of course i'm friendly towards everyone i work with. i'm not a mean guy. but having worked at other places, i know that by just being "friendly" to everyone doesnt garauntee being on "friendly" terms with some people..

btw, what is cut-throat workplace politics?

 

[Serialized3]

stuff like playing one boss against another boss, or ratting on one of your cowokers that made a mistake that would otherwise go unnoticed, basically anything that you might feel is shady

 

[Deep Dish]

it seems like some of the people at the office, love to socialize. it just seems so FAKE. their obviously socializing to get ahead in their positions, imho.

Maybe, but working in an office very often takes a huge chunk out of people's daily lives and people need to socialize just to stay sane. Even though I don't do much socializing at work, because I'm with quiet thinker type, I totally reject the cynical perspective that coworkers socializing has the ulterior motive of promotion jockeying. Sure, there may be a few whom maliciously play the system and they are obvious, but by and large people innocuously socialize and it just so incidentally happens to get them promoted, because it's only human nature to have personal preferences and friendships affect decisions. I have a great friendship with my boss; joking around, BSing over various topics; and he's been trying to get me promoted, but it's not at all brown-nosing. I do the most work, I get top-notch reviews, I don't whine, I work overtime; in other words, I have tight game. My point is go to work, work diligently, be friendly and make friends, go home, but don't be cynical.

 

[rocco]

stuff like playing one boss against another boss, or ratting on one of your cowokers that made a mistake that would otherwise go unnoticed, basically anything that you might feel is shady

f*ckin people do that to me at work.

 

[rocco]

stuff like playing one boss against another boss, or ratting on one of your cowokers that made a mistake that would otherwise go unnoticed, basically anything that you might feel is shady

btw, ive seen people do that at work, and still get ahead.