Some work relationships are and can result in genuine connections whereas some can end very badly and you may fall foul to the rumour mill. Do not let the latter part discourage you because making friends is normal, especially when you are new in a place and that includes the work place.
Also, work relationships are not all bad or forbade however, here are a few things you should know and keep in mind.
People Frown Upon Intimacy at Work
While it is discouraged it does happen and people do form rather intimate relationships at work. Also, people can and do work with their partners in some work places but, most often than not the people you work with will be strangers.
Avoid starting an intimate relationship at work as you will be distracted, be seen to be garnering favour, be harassing, using your position as a woman or man in power or may just be put off your game. Also, avoid having your partners drop in anytime they want to and the two of you going off together to chat outside leaving your work or people waiting.
Avoid too, intimate conversations anywhere others can hear you as they can be distracting to the people near, it is not fair to the person on the other end and it does not bode well for you ( it says “you can’t be trusted with personal information” ). So, for the sake of your professional or public image and as a favour to people in the bus to work, the person in the queue with you, your colleagues or boss do keep your intimate conversations private and out of ear-shot.
People Behave Differently at Work
You may think that being yourself with other people is key but, as soon as you step into the work or business environ, you will see that the atmosphere changes and with it, whether people are aware of it or not, so do personalities.
This is not necessarily a bad thing and it is expected behaviour and it is called etiquette; written or unwritten code for accepted and expected social behaviours and manners. Every setting does have a code that governs how you are expected to behave. Be it your own home, the market, church, work or business place.
At work or at business following etiquette with your colleagues or clients means that you are being respectful and helping to promote a productive and positive environment. In public places you are making life comfortable for others around you and respecting the fact that the public space is a shared space.
As a client or outsider, always be aware that the person in front of you that is very friendly is doing their job and may behave differently when you meet them away from this environment. Do not take offence as people you met at their work will very rarely treat you the same outside of their work and because they walked you through a spreadsheet, treated you like royalty or simply said good morning to you at the supermarket till. They are just doing their job and following the prescribed etiquette of the setting they are in.
People Value Their Privacy at Work
After a number of years working with people it is very likely that you are curious about their life away from work. Resist the urge to ask about things that are not told to you voluntarily. You may be curious and ask but, few will satisfy your curiosity. This is not being unfriendly, it is valuing their privacy and most people as people do not like prying into their private life.
Even the office clown or sparkly personality will make it seem as though anything goes but, it does not. People that are open and friendly to all also do not like being prodded or put on the spot for private information.
Most people when it comes to work stuff, will be forthcoming (at least should be) and will give that information in a friendly manner. Follow their cue and keep to the business at hand and do not pry. Remember too those little jokes people make as you wait in a queue are not permission to start digging deeper.
Join in the banter if you must but, keep to the prescribed topic, keep the queue moving and do keep your distance.
