Originally Posted by SirMickTravis:
“A bit indulgent I know but I felt like sharing it. I believe I mentioned on here that I had a few temporary jobs last year before being let go for odd behaviour - staring at people (allegedly). It went okay but I'm feeling very flat now. Perhaps I'll have to try hard to fill my evenings with stuff.
Just to add that I'm asking myself some tough questions. Am I really trying to enjoy it or am I determined not to? Could I be more sociable with colleagues and might that help?”
Congratulations - don't stare at people or you'll freak them out and they'll let you go.
Also, don't psycho analyse too deeply. Just concentrate on learning the job and doing it well. The social side will come later when you've settled in. Whatever you do, don't try and force friendliness. Join in a bit, but don't go over the top & don't "attach" yourself to anybody. Try and avoid doing stuff which could be perceived as weird.
Do offer to get the tea, and join any tea and social clubs going. You will also get brownie points for volunteering for things.
Providing you do all I've advised you to, there will come a point of "acceptance" by the crowd, and you'll know when that point has been reached as people will start talking to you socially and making jokes/taking the piss in a humourous way.
Don't muck it up.