9 Answers

Not been working for a year or two but I did socialize with a few of my workmates in the past, not over friendly though, just the occasional pint now and again, my Momma always told me not to mix with the staff.

Not very often, strangely enough we are going out for a meal tomorrow with a couple who I work with now, we are going for an Indian meal. We used to socialise with a lot of people who my wife worked with, they all worked in a school together, some were teachers, funny lot. lol.

This is usually a bad idea. 

Ducky

Not for me. It's been fun. :)

country bumpkin

I read your answer. Always exceptions. :)

Ducky

I didn't want to talk about the negative side of workplace friendships but I have definitely seen things go astray between "friends at work" and it can be ugly. Backstabbing was the cause in one such case. :(

....no, a professional distance was maintained

....social politics can be tricky, if employee discipline is involved on the job

I no longer work,i used to associate a bit with only a couple,and i am still in contact with the same 2..i was not a great mixer at work as i am not a great mixer after work..

When I worked, I always socialized with co-workers. In fact, this very day, I am going out with a former co-worker. She and I met at work, socialized and have remained friends for about 45 years. Yesterday I had coffee with a former co-worker with whom I have remained friends, also for about 45 years. I met both of them at the same company in the same year.

I received an email this morning from a friend who lives out of town now. We also met at work about 25 years ago and are still friends, chatting on the phone now and again. Socializing with co-workers may not always work out so well, but it's definitely a good thing in my opinion.

Ducky

Ouch!

Yes, always and tonight as we are going out for dinner with a co-worker and her husband.  We are all sailing on the same ship.  One of my very best friends is a woman I worked with for nine years. 

I have only had to fire two people and both of them were choices that I made by giving them the benefit of the doubt.  I thought they could rise to the occasion. 

I am very fortunate to have known and still know some pretty fantastic people through work. 

Pet retail is very personal.  Not only do you have to understand your customers you have to develop very strong relationships with staff members.  That is key.  Truly great pet stores just don't just open their doors, they make sure they are part of the community.  Every person involved and pet for that matter, count. ... even if that pet is a little Neon Tetra. 

This is a great question because now that I have given it some thought, I have had the privilege of meeting and knowing some amazing people.  We had one young man that worked for us who came from a beautiful family and went on to become a marine biologist.  He paid for his education with hockey cards given to him from his uncle.  I had a girl working for me that came from Columbia.  Her family was/is extremely special.  That girl is now a scientist.  The last time I spoke to her father she was working for an environmentally responsible Think Tank.  I have worked with people who became teachers, went on to own their own stores and had customers that had their first date in our store, proposed in our store then went on to actually own their own  aquarium store based upon our product.  ... One of my staff went on to become a veterinarian.  ... That woman is exceptionally bright.

I even had one staff member who was and still is the funniest person in real life that I am sure, I will ever meet.  She does not know this, however... I am still laughing.   

I did. Made me feel a part of. My securities only matured after I was let go after 24 years. Oh, if only I knew then what I know now.. . 

We really didn't have much in common.They had a lot of problems......a son in jail...a deaf child etc And one woman said she had to get home right after work, even tho' her kids were teenagers, b/c , she said " They would  burn down the house " 

 We occasionally all met for dinner in a restaurant or someone had a Christmas party or whatever in their house.