You're Not At Work To Make Friends

Out of the seven workplaces that I've worked at in the past six years, I've only hung out with a colleague outside of work TWICE.

Here is my philosophy behind it.

(To my current or past coworkers. Give this article a CHANCE)

Friendly Vs Being Friends

Everyone is not your friend. It doesn't mean everyone is your enemy, either.

The distinction between friendliness and being friends with someone is important. The former relates to one's demeanour, the latter with the nature of relationships.

For what is friendship? It's a value transaction.

It might sound cold and calculative to call your friendship value transactions. However, think of what value is brought to the table when your friends with someone.

Insight, humour, mateship, support, accountability, encouragement, mentorship.

Are these not positive? To give without asking in return? But to be given back instead?

(What I will find fucked up is a establishing a relationship for own personal gain)

A litmus test to distinguish between a colleague and a friend:

"Would I hang out with this person outside of work or events relating to work?"

The answer for me tends to be no. Perhaps I'm not in the right environments to find like-minded people?

The Work Comes First

When it was quite at the retail store, I will make small chit chat.

When a customer comes into the scene, I will try to wrap up the conversation as soon as possible.

Why?

Only the paranoid survives.

I have a contract to myself. That I will do the best for my job. To not give my superiors reasons to question my ability to provide value.

This attitude might have carried over from school. When I'm sitting in class, I'm focussed purely on work.

That is my ONE job. To become distracted defeats the purpose of being there.

Being Professional

The workplace is a place of work.

Get in, get out.

In the words of your average New Yorker,

"Get your money up, not your funny up."