Do You Make Friends At Work

@KrauseHome (36447)
United States
March 21, 2008 1:11am CST
or do you feel your job is just a place to work, leave your problems of home at home, and just come and go without allowing yourself a chance to get close and possibly hang out with some of them? Reason I asked, is I feel maybe I learned a valuable lesson in this one even if I will Hurt for a while in the process. There is a woman I work with that her and I were Good friends. Problem got to where I did not agree with some of the things she was doing, and let her know at work how I felt and now her and I no longer talk, even though I would Love to at least apologize and let her know I still do care, but I have views I believe in, but we are best as is now. So now I am going to be Cautious at work when getting to know someone, and choosing to become a Good friend with. I feel it would be of my best interest, and less feelings to get hurt in the process. So, do you make friends, or stray away so you do not learn the way I did?
6 people like this
25 responses
@deepti15 (1190)
• India
21 Mar 08
If you didnt make friends at work, half of your life would be really dull! Ive met some of my closest friends at work, but with regards to close relationships, i would never get romantically involved with a colleague unless i REALLY liked him, because ive witnessed first hand how messy the fallout after can be! I think if i did see friends from work outside of work id also be really careful to make sure the whole topic of converstion isnt about work!
• China
18 Mar 11
Yes i do make friends at work. Till now i never work in any office but i do work online and in online i have make so many good friends. Specially in some chatting sites i have made some good friends.So i do make friends at work. Good day friend!
1 person likes this
@cripfemme (7698)
• United States
22 Mar 08
I'm friends with people I work with, especially my bosses, with whom I also do tons of activism. I sometimes believe that this is to my deficit because they are not as quick to pay me as they would be if they didn’t know me. I still, however, am more their friend than theeir employee.
@irishmist (3814)
• United States
22 Mar 08
I always make friends at the jobs I've had, and the job I have now. I get along well with everyone, and we do hang out toghter. I am starting a 2nd job on Monday and looking forward to making friends there as well.
1 person likes this
@terri0824 (4991)
• United States
22 Mar 08
I've been at my current employement for nearly 13 years, and I have to say that I have made friends there. Though I don't go out and do things with them, they are still my friends. I couldn't have worked there as long as I have just to go and do my job and that's it. Though I don't always agree with people there, because after all it would be pretty boring world if we were all alike. But I do agree with you in your situation. I've read your previous discussions and know where you are coming from.
1 person likes this
@elitess (5070)
• Ipswich, England
21 Dec 10
Hello Tina. I have worked at a software development and testing company, Ubisoft for 9 months during this year. In this time i have met quite a few interesting people which i now have (a part) as friends on facebook - but this doesn't mean to much as i am not a fanatic or even very interested in that socializing site or the rest for that reason. I wish i could have made better relationships with some of the people i met there, but it is most likely that i won't keep in touch in the long term.
1 person likes this
• United States
21 Mar 08
I am careful about what I say to whom when at work. There have been people at my place of work that gossip. The sad thing is that I have known many of these people for years. Whey they would want to gossip is beyond me. They know I am a sensitive person and take it personally. Gossip is destructive and can ruin a person's life. I would rather keep my friendships outside of work. Life is easier this way.
• United States
21 Mar 08
I used to consider my co-workers my best friends until I got my current job. Apparently, those people at this job would constantly complain about me because I am talkative. I never had a problem in my other jobs with that and no one ever took anything I said too seriously. But, the people at this job seemed to pick over everything I said, totally twisting it apart. So, I've gotten a lot more cautious about what I say and who I talk to. But, I don't feel as connected to my co-workers as I used to be before this job.
1 person likes this
@zeloguy (4911)
• United States
21 Mar 08
I believe it is almost inevitable that if you are spending time with a group of people that you are going to find people that have the same types of interests that you do and therefore there is an opportunity to build a friendship. I know of companies out there that discourage such action but it just human nature; one just needs to make sure that friendship doesn't get in the way of the job at hand. Great question. Zelo
1 person likes this
@bcote212 (1112)
• United States
21 Mar 08
I like to think that I have people at work that are "work friends" and then I have my real life. Work friends are people that I can go out and have a smoke with while on our breaks, or maybe go to lunch with. I however tend to try to keep my work life and my home life seperate. The problem being that you can easily get into a disagreement with someone at work who knows too much about you, and that can make your work life hell. But of course there is the need to have a connection with these people because we are around them so often. I think you just have to find a healthy balance.
1 person likes this
@joyangz32 (322)
• Netherlands
21 Mar 08
I talk with my colleagues but not being close to them. I consider myself as a worker not a friend to them. I try to do what I need to do. Be nice to everybody as possible. I had a close friend before we're colleagues. Because of misunderstanding we become totally strangers now. None of us apologize what happen. The friendship was over. We can talk when it's really needed. Most of the time we didn't know each other.
1 person likes this
@Reyah23 (640)
• Philippines
21 Mar 08
Yes, i did make friends at work. But im so very selective now. I got an experience before that i had a friend at work maybe because of the nature of our job as marketing consultant we ended up not good. When i got a lot of sales and become a top agent of the month, she started to ignore me because she usually got the top agent rank before. So i think envy destroy our friendship. I got a friend now but she in the other department.
1 person likes this
@ch88ss (2271)
• United States
21 Mar 08
I used to believe that work was a place to work only. It was horrible because I hated coming to work since I had no one to talk to or mingle with. Over time I realize I should have a social life as well as at work. It is healthier that way. Since we spend more time at work, it is good to have someone to talk to and go to lunch with. It is a balance between work and social life. Of course, if I only go to work to make friends. I would not have too much time to concentrate on my work. I experienced the same thing and yes it hurts. Sometimes work gets in the way or friendship gets in the way of work. For this reason, I only become friends and closer friends with those of different departments. good luck there will be better times.
• Philippines
21 Mar 08
Personally, I like to have friends at work. It is nice to work in an enviroment that your're at ease. It is also nice to have someone to confide your problems. I am sorry to what happened to you and your friend. I agree that it is sometimes it can be difficult to work with a close friend because there are things at work thatis not always agreed upon. Maybe, she has a different view of taking your opinion. I hope that things will be better and I also hope that this will not stop you from having friends at your work. :)
@Sir_bobby88 (8231)
• Singapore
10 Apr 08
well i do make friends at work yea ... i think as for your problem will be how to maintain your friendship yea , friends in workplace are help out in your work a lot especially when you are tired , in companies you also need teamwork to make projects accomplish yea .
@williamjisir (22819)
• China
2 Nov 10
I have made some very good friends. One of them is like my own brother. We work in the same school and we often visit each other's families. It is very important for me to have some friends at work, but to have a best friend is especially pleasant to me. I am an easy-going person and I am nice and kind to everyone around me and enjoy the popularity with my colleagues. Of course, there could be someone who is not so friendly toward you at work and that is due to being jealous, I think. Good day, friend.
@rhane7315 (5649)
• Philippines
10 Apr 08
i also love making friends at work. it's not hard for me to do things at the same time lol
@cream97 (29086)
• United States
10 Apr 08
When I am on the Internet, I make plenty of friends. At home with my children, I have fun with my babies.
• China
10 Apr 08
Yes, making friends at work is very necessary.Communicating with coworkers can release your presure each other.
@besthope44 (12123)
• India
19 Jul 10
Well i make but not close friends.