Are we friends?
I just don't know how to approach relationships with coworkers. People seem friendly at work, and we joke around and stuff, but I don't know anything about them outside work. I know this company has a pretty cut-throat promotion policy... are they just being nice to me so they can beat me to a promotion or are we actually friends or what? I don't like mind games. Should I even try to be friends with people at work?
Yes just be cautious
I agree with the others. Avoid relationships with co-workers. Too many of them will stab you in the back. Ever see a small insect get trapped in a spider's web ? They're lured in and GULP! You have become Kibbles and Bits for an arachnid! Even after hours don't get involved. Even if they don't snab you, it can still lead to problems at work. That's how much gossip gets started.
No do your work and work hard because they will say they are your friend just to get information from u
Natalie, I can only give you advice on my life experiences. So with that being said if I were you, I would keep my private life private and my work life work. If you combine them together you'll never be happy and these people that you think are possibly your friends at work, once they get what they want from you or find out something about you that they may find out of the ordinary to them; they could possibly use that against you after they twist it all out of proportion. I'm not saying not to be friendly with them, after all you spend more time at work probably than at home or with your true friends, family, b/for or husband so you have to try to also be happy while you're at work. But I, personally, wouldn't feed them any extra info they don't have to have. GOOD LUCK, TRACEY
Natalie, my suggestion to you would be to keep
I dissagree with Elenor. I still talk to coworker friends that I made in the 80's. Last summer two of my friends that I havent seen in over 30 years visited me in Maine. It was great. Make as many friends as possible and treat them as you want to be treated. Some will be with you for life and some will blow away in the wind. Good luck.
My advice is continue being friendly but if it's not happening on its own don't force it. Better to keep co-workers as co-workers. Unless u hit It off with 1 or 2 ppl. Unfortunately they will backstab u. If they really need to. Best of luck!
Be careful and work with them on a business basis.
Hi Natalie there's nothing wrong with making new friends at the same time be watchful and alert cause u never know their motives and eventually their true self will show and you will know whether to keep making friends with them or leave that alone hope this helps
Not friends just friendly associates. Never give to much personal info out either. Just be nice to them and don't play in to any behavior could get you in trouble. There may always be a snitch.