Friendships in the IT Workplace?

Greg Cantori asks: "We've seen stuff like this on TV and in movies. Policemen, Firemen, Astonauts, Army guys, etc, all gathered round a BBQ on a sunny weekend, chugging a few cold ones and maybe talking shop, wives and girlfriends preparing salads, kids running round the garden. Middle class bonding and fun, eh? Now, picture your IT workplace. Look around at your workmates. Do *you* get together on weekends? Do your spouses know any personal details of your workmates' spouses, beyond what may have slipped out during a long forgotten company Chistmas ball? Do you go bowling, play poker, or help your colleagues pave the driveway of their new home? Do you even have drinks with them after work? Is it just the professions who share some element of physical danger where this stereotypical bonding occurs, or can it occur with nerdy programmers? What are your experiences with friendships in the code-cutting office?"

Comments

Re:oh...my...god

[jmu1]

Well duh-huh! There are a certain few people who are in charge of the story posting that are leftist pansies... of course they are going to push this mamsie-pamsie crap down our throats.

Work is NOT the place to make friends!!!!

[HanzoSan]

Everyone at work is essentially your comptition, when it comes time to get that raise, your so called friend will use everything against you he can to make sure he gets the raise and not you, and because YOU were stupid enough to allow this competitor into your life, you suffer the concequences when they ruin it.

Lets get a few facts straight, theres no such thing, as a "Friend" at work, these are called assosiates, you work with them, but you are careful what you say around them. Talk bad about the boss around the wrong guy and next thing you know you'll be fired or in your bosses office explaining yourself.

I know i cant be the only person here who knows that the first rule is never trust anyone at work.

The second rule is never try to make friends with people at work.

Third rule is not to date women from work. If you are a high up CEO or boss, and all the women are after you, dont fall for it, you know they just want a raise and want to move up.

Well enough with my rules, I'm sure everyone knows the rules, but some people are too blind to follow.

God No.

[NineNine]

Personally, I can't stand geeks. I may work in IT, but I'm not a geek. Geeks talk about hardware, software, gadgets, the latest geeky TV show, games, etc. The LAST thing that I want to do is to spend my FREE time talking about computers and other such silly bullshit.

Re:Ask Slashdot?

[Pfhreakaz0id]

I don't get it. I just don't get it? Are you an H1-B slave or something? Why do people work these hours. I've NEVER put in more than 45 hours a week, and I've been in IT about four years now. For that matter, I haven't worked more than 50 hours since my waiter days in college.

Apparently, this is a problem for some people. Here's my HOWTO on How To Not Work Long Hours. Lot's of people say "tell em to &*(! themselves" but that's a little too confrontational.

1. Say in the interview: "What are your hours like? Do people work overtime? Do people take comp time if they do?" Follow up: "If you're looking for someone to work 50-60 hours a week, I'm not your man."

2. You have to establish these boundaries from the outset. Don't try to be a "go getter" by working long hours thinking you can slow up later. Won't work.

3. Of course, you have to be productive during those 40 hours. If you get stuff done, people don't care how long you work. Also, if you do this, you have to watch at work goofing off. Be discrete with your slashdot/ebay/porn, etc. :)

4. Roll out after 8 hours unless there is a crisis. If you come in at 7:30 -- like I do --Roll out at 4:30. If you worked thru lunch, leave 30 minutes early. Don't sneak out, just go by the boss (or drop a mail), and say "hey, came in at 7:30, I'm outta here".

5. If a crisis does come up, work thru it, then take comp time preferably the NEXT DAY. If not the next day, then remind boss of it the next day. As in: "Hey, remember we working 'til 7 p.m. last nite (don't say "yesterday" say "night")? I'm taking that time Friday afternoon." NOTE: DON'T say what you need comp time for (doctor, etc). Why should they care? You don't need an excuse.

6. Suppose this is challenged. That's where the interview questions come in. Say "I thought I didn't need to work overtime? Is my performance a problem?"

Well

[HanzoSan]

When it comes to women and money I'm sure they will compete with me, I mean really, thats not something i doubt, because everyone worries about their own survival first.