Comments on: Office Etiquette: Making the Right Steps to Fit In

By: Caleb

Caleb — Fri, 15 May 2009 07:28:54 +0000

I guess the job situation is different in different places and people are more involved, or even judgemental, in some places. If we’re really talking about professionalism though, then work should be kept matter what happens outside of work. Actually, in terms of professionalism, it’s probably best not to go out and be drinking with your colleagues or clients as that could potentially be very embarrassing, even if you’re the sober one. I’ve been at official work functions where people have got tanked and made real fools of themselves. Alcohol and work (even after work) really don’t mix. Other situations, such as eating, are different.

I’ve worked in Australia, the U.K. and Taiwan. In Australia, people are pretty casual and they don’t seem to care one way or the other most of the time, at least in my experiences. In the U.K. I’d say they’re more withdrawn generally, and in Taiwan, most of the Taiwanese aren’t involved with us and the non-Taiwanese generally accept that you’re busy doing your own thing.

I’ve only ever felt that kind of situation once, and that was with a bunch of people whom I didn’t really care about one way or the other, either in a social or professional capacity.

By: MLR

MLR — Fri, 15 May 2009 05:01:29 +0000

@ Caleb –

This isn’t about peer pressure. That’s why I am saying you only need to do it for the first few weeks. Those weeks are when people are deciding what kind of person you are.

Once you have hung out with them and been social… you will have a much easier time saying no while not affecting your image. They will still know you as a friendly guy, but that you just don’t feel like going out.

You are free to not do that, but from my experience and watching others, it rarely works out well when people are anti-social (yes, that is how it is perceived when the new guy opts to not go out with everyone else) for the first few weeks.

By: Caleb

Caleb — Wed, 13 May 2009 07:25:11 +0000

I really disagree with the part about tagging along in order to fit in. I understand the part about not being an island, but this is really more of the kind of peer group pressure of school and it’s precisely why people “fit in” but don’t “get ahead”. If you’re not well liked because you don’t blow your money on expensive lunches and nights out drinking, then so be it. Because if you compromise your (frugal) ideals there, next thing you know, you’re buying the “right” clothes, watches, cars, etc. just to keep up with the Joneses.

In my job, some of us eat lunch together, some of us don’t. Some people order in refreshments in the afternoon, some people don’t. Some people go out after work or on weekends, some people don’t. No one looks down on anyone else because they do or don’t participate.

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The 25th Carnival Of Internships, Careers, & Employment — Mon, 11 May 2009 12:43:32 +0000

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By: Craig

Craig — Tue, 05 May 2009 13:03:27 +0000

@MLR

Full Dislcosure: Marketing Director at start-up BudgetPulse

We are a small team in office of 3 and outsource other activities, so although when the time is appropriate we have gone out for happy hours, but the opportunities don’t come up often.

By: MLR

MLR — Tue, 05 May 2009 00:46:45 +0000

@ Alan –
Thanks, I appreciate your kind words! In regards to introducing yourself, at least now you know for your next job! I would wager that the work environment would be a little more fun just by knowing everyones name as you pass them in the hall. Maybe not, but it can’t hurt!

@ HLR –
Even a week in, huh? Yeap, definitely makes sense to “bust through the gates” as they say.

@ Craig –
Definitely about the happy hours as I mentioned… don’t go inviting people to a happy hour on your first day but go if invited. How large of a company do you work for? Even with small companies I have found a lot of these “pointers” to work well!

Thanks all for commenting and I hope you enjoyed the post!

By: craig

craig — Mon, 04 May 2009 20:41:36 +0000

Never working in a large traditional company I never had that level of boundaries to get to know, but great advice either way. Not just lunch situations, I also would add happy hours. It probably isn’t an everyday thing, but maybe if a group goes once a week, or once every other week, it may be nice to show face.c

By: HLR

HLR — Mon, 04 May 2009 14:32:04 +0000

I agree with Alan.. I started a new job just a few weeks ago, and it already seems awkward to introduce myself to people who work across the hall since i haven’t already done so. I even consider myself a pretty social person! Definitely something I will do differently in my next job.
Also – it helps for the mentorship that MLR spoke about. When you start a new job, introducing yourself to as many people as possible increases the amount of people you can go to for help or guidance! You just have to use your discretion, and make sure you’re going to helpful people..

By: Alan @ Saving For Serenity

Alan @ Saving For Serenity — Mon, 04 May 2009 13:46:48 +0000

Very well written article. Loved the style, the flow, the recap.

I am definitely a fairly shy guy, so I have a hard time introducing myself to people right off the bat. Because of my line of work, there is a lot of individualism. Sure, we are all in the office together in the morning, but that’s it. 15 minutes we’re all together, and then we’re gone. Because of that, there are some people there (6 months in) that I still don’t know their name! Perhaps I should have introduced myself a long time ago…