A friend of mine just started her first post-college job at a small company, and her boss and all of her coworkers are very excited about a certain upcoming vampire movie... ugh. (I mean, it's fine, I couldn't care less about Twilight—but I'm a die-hard Lost fan, so I suppose I'm no better.) Anyway, my friend has no interest in said vampire movie, but she's probably going to tag along with the rest of her office, who are planning on
leaving work early the day of the premiere to see it as a group. There's even been talk of DIY-ing some Team Edward t-shirts. Double ugh.
But all this talk of Twilight has got me thinking—how far would I go to fit in at work?
Vampires have never played a roll in my office dynamics (thank god), but I did have a couple to-fit-in-or-not-to-fit-in moments this summer when I worked as a camp counselor. Everybody liked to socialize after camp, and the activities were many: we went out to dinner (check), we bowled (check), we played laser tag (rain...check?), and we had a pool party (check). Barring laser tag—which sounded like a lot of running—I participated in everything, and it did help smooth things out during work hours.
As for Twilight, I'd probably consider seeing it (if allowed to roll my eyes), although having to talk about both book and movie at the office for
weeks before the actually outing would probably, um, kill me. Then again, I had nothing to lose—or really gain—at my camp counselor job, whereas my friend is looking to be promoted from freelancer to salaried worker. That might be worth some popcorn and vampirism.
What have you done to fit in at work? Is there a certain point (cough: Twilight) where you have to draw the line?
Comments (12)
Nope i never try and fit in at work, If i dont want to do anything i dont like then i wont and that is that. I dont know why people do that but its really stupid. why be a follower when u can be a leader.Thats also making it hard for yourself if you think about it too.
i'd do anything and everything to fit in at work. i think it's key if you want to move up in the company. it's not kissing ass - per say - it's more like investing in your future. you want to be up-to-date with all that is all in the office and you should even try finding out your direct boss's interests. whether that be golfing, celeb gossip, or movies, you should try using what knowledge you can to become indispensable to him/her. as you pass him/her in the hallway, update him on golf scores and if tiger woods has made it to the finals. come layoff time, you're job would def be more secured.
Oh, God. Not Twilight. D: That isn't even a limit as much as it is a damn glaring siren of fail.
Having a non-antagonistic relationship with co-workers is good and all, but I would hope that some people don't think it's so important that they go out of their way to please everybody. Sure, being friendly with other people at work helps create a pleasant atmosphere, but some things are just more important.
i joined the social committee at work when i first started my job with my current employer not by choice but my manager elected me to do so. i only did it for a short time until i found someone to replace me because my position in the company changed and i didn't have the time anymore. at work, i'm not really there to make friends so i just keep to myself or talk to the people in my pod because i'm so busy all the time.
Ha, all the women who work in my office are obsessed with Twilight as well. It's funny because they range in age from 28 to late forties. I'm the youngest one there (23) and I can't stand anything Twilight related. They asked me if I was excited about New Moon and I laughed and told them I never saw the first one and didn't plan to. They were actually shocked!
I've never done anything crazy to try to fit in at work. I'm not going to change anything about myself to make others happy.
I starting drinking and partying often in the company parties. In these parties, you are EXPECTED to arrive at the party and drink your ass off.
mix in a stabs at the microphone (kareoke room) and combine that with two, or even three extra drinking rounds somewhere else....
@KristInRainbows@xanga - Hahaha, that's my friend's situation too! She's the youngest person in her office (early 20s), so you'd think if anyone liked Twilight it would be here, but no, it's all the late 20s-40s people.
Hah, I would go see Twilight with no problem.
Hmm.... What would I do at work? If my coworkers were really so intolerable, I'd just ignore them and focus on my work instead. I mean, that's what work is for. I find hard work rewarding. Also, I have the internet, WHO NEEDS FRIENDS? ..... *goes to cry in corner* LOL.
@sarah - Haha, yeah apparently the movie is popular with middle aged women as well. And it did seem like they all expected me to like it because of my age.
This post reminds me of an episode of Friends. The one where Rachel gets a job at Ralph Lauren and starts taking smoke breaks with her co workers to not be left out, even though she didn't smoke. =]
as for me, when anyone at work invites me to join any after work activities, i'll go. but i have my limit. i dont go to club, drinking and dancing. so thats the one place i wont go.
im not really that loud in my workplace. im more like the quiet type - and i hate it. so i guess by socializing with colleagues i'll be more comfortable around them... probably one of the reasons why im like that is because im 22, and most of them are like 30, 40++ or something. and sometimes i feel too young and stupid... ughh...
Hmm...depends, I guess. If it's a social activity between co-workers that I know I'd like to try (new stuff) or I'll really enjoy (known old stuff), I'm happy to join in. But if it's something new and I KNOW I'm not really going to enjoy it all the way, I'd excuse myself. I mean, what's the point in hanging out with your co-workers for an activity together that you know you're not going to give in your all because it's not your cup of tea? Not only you find yourself hard to fit in if it doesn't go well, you'd become a killjoy because others (praise be to them - they always figure out people's body language) can sense that you're not liking it, then they'd feel bad about it for having forced you to, or go upset that you don't like what they like, and that's puts a negative into a work-based relationship.
Oh yeah, about Twilight - man, am I shocked. I'm nineteen, and I don't like Twilight - I'm surprised that even more mature ladies are more into it than tweens (the intended audience, I'm very much sure of)!