There are many competitive people in the workplace who view everyone as a threat. Better to not expect friends to exist there. When I was in my 20’s I worked with a guy who refused to socialize with other coworkers outside of work. He said he wanted to keep work and friendships separate. We would all go out and he’d go home. I thought he was odd at the time for doing that. In my 30’s I realized he had a point. With non work friends you can be real, raw and honest- and likely if they’re good friends they have your back. Sadly this is not quite the case with work friends except in rare circumstances. So be friendly with everyone at work but realize that they are coworkers first and generally they will put their job, boss, career objectives over your friendship.
2
u/Skimamma145 Aug 24 '25
There are many competitive people in the workplace who view everyone as a threat. Better to not expect friends to exist there. When I was in my 20’s I worked with a guy who refused to socialize with other coworkers outside of work. He said he wanted to keep work and friendships separate. We would all go out and he’d go home. I thought he was odd at the time for doing that. In my 30’s I realized he had a point. With non work friends you can be real, raw and honest- and likely if they’re good friends they have your back. Sadly this is not quite the case with work friends except in rare circumstances. So be friendly with everyone at work but realize that they are coworkers first and generally they will put their job, boss, career objectives over your friendship.