how do you make friends at work?

Question

i have recently started a new job, and my fellow employees are all women. this is new to me, usually i am in a position of authority and i tend to hire mostly guys (they are a lot less catty and have less bagage in my opinion) now i am working as the lowest "person" on the totem pole and surrounded by all women. what is your advice on making friends? i am a woman who mostly has guy friends. i am very interested in your responses..

Answer 1

Seeing as how you are the "low man on the totem pole" I would advise against going in there like gang busters and trying to "run the show", because if you do, your co-workers will resent you. Not that you would do this, but I have seen this done before, and it always ends up with everybody resenting the new person. I would say just do your job to the best of your ability and be friendly, but keep a rather low profile. Let your co-workers get used to you as the "new person" and they will eventually accept you; then you can work on building friendships, which will probably happen naturally in time, as you are going to be spending your days with these new co-workers. The worst thing you can do is try and "force"' these friendships - give it time and they will develop naturally. The next worse thing you can do is feed into office gossip - absolutely stay away from it and refuse to become involved in office gossip. It serves no purpose and often times ends up hurting people. By the way, I agree with you about men being less catty and having less baggage than woman. I recently started my own business, so I work out of my home now, but prior to that I worked in various office environments for about 30 years, and for the most part, my co-workers were women. I hated the office gossip and politics, and now I don't have to deal with it! Best of luck to you in your new job.

Answer 2

Hi, I agree men are much less catty. I would rather work with guys for the pure reason they don't freak out as much. But, all the people at my work, including women are very nice and everyone gets along. Some people take a little bit to get to know you before they open up or are friendly. Just be open and nice to everyone and you shouldn't make any enemies. Anyone who doesn't like that obviously has their own problems. Just be yourself and smile! :)

Answer 3

From all my work experence in the past I have learned that It's better to not get too close to people right away. Feel them out and get to know them first and then pick who you might want to be friends with. People aren't always what they appear to be. I work in a very large company and all I see is back-stabbing and people talking about other people all the time. There are only a few people that I know I can trust so I mostly stay to myself, this way I stay out of trouble and my day's are peaceful.

Answer 4

When a person has to walk that fine political line, they have no friends at work, only acquaintances. Your true friends don't work at the same place you do. But since you now work with all females find a person who is not in your department and meet only for lunch, coffee and then steer clear of work talk, and discuss other subjects, even if you find it boring. Introduce yourself, the department you work in and ask pleasantly if you may join her/them. Good luck

Answer 5

Well, when you get the five minute break and the sewing machines stop, you go to one of the stalls and say "Hay honey, do you have any Prozac? I left mine in the locker." If there is anyone there who will share their Prozac, well, you have found a friend. Pretty easy huh?

Answer 6

Keep it light, and don't tell them your personal business. I always made it a practice in 20 yrs on the job I didn't fraternize with the people I worked with.

Answer 7

just dont think or worry about it. Best friendships are made naturally...Concetrate on work projects, the rest will fall into it's place, or you can always make friends by being sharing, and warm towards people.. Good luck on your new Job... Everything will work out.

Answer 8

Try to be ur own self. Dont be inquisitive. At the same time prove urself to be one who has a friendly attitude and temperament. Share ur feelings who are friendly by nature.

Answer 9

It depends on what kind of work you do. Offer to help out once in a while, but don't get caught up in their caddiness. Be interested in real things, like their families or what they like to do for fun. Go out for a drink or to lunch with them occasionally.

Answer 10

I WOULD BE VERY CAREFUL AS TO WHO YOU CHOOSE AS YOUR FRIEND AT WORK, AND ALWAYS KEEP IN MIND THAT THERE IS NO FRIENDSHIP IN TRUE BUSINESS. DON'T EVER TELL ANY WOMAN AT WORK ANYTHING THAT YOU WOULDN'T BE OKAY WITH ANYONE ELSE HEARING. IT IS FUN BUT HARD TO WORK WITH A BUNCH OF WOMEN, I ALSO PREFER TO WORK WITH MEN, IT'S MORE PROFESSIONAL AND LESS PERSONAL.