Help me out here...

[theGinsue]

I agree with your OP Mev. In fact I had similar discussion like this @ work today with other members of my team.

I'm a government contractor and Friday the unit is having it's annual picnic. I NEVER go to the picnic's, Christmas party, etc. and only rarely go to "going away arties" - only then for folks I really like or someone on my team.

It bothers me that my company "strongly encourages" us to attend these events - telling us it's team building with the customer, etc. But, this is always followed up with "but this is not billable time".

So, let me get this straight... I'm encouraged to attend to help the company by building better relationships with the customer and other corporate team members. My behavior/appearance at these events will be judged just the same as if I were at work - and could negatively impact my employment. I'm expected to pay my own way for entry/participation - and all this without getting paid for it?

Naw. I'm already scheduled to be off work Friday and I think I'll enjoy the time AWAY from those I work with and maybe get a few things accomplished that I need to tend to. (Plus my wife is off that day too and wants to go for a drive in the mtn's).

[zteknik]

Why do people assume that because you're co-workers that THAT in itself automatically makes you friends, or should make one more inclined to feel obligated to hang out outside of work or participate in activities outside of work?

I am by no means a hermit or a recluse. I'm incredibly outgoing and the "life of the party" type, but geez... I have my own family and my own friends. Sure, if I end up working with somebody and our personalities click like that, an outside friendship situation is possible. But why is it expected? And why can it sometimes affect (or is it effect?) your potential for advancement in a company when a boss says "you're not being a team player" because I don't go to the bar 2 or 3 times a week after work with people? It has NOTHING to do with how I interact with people while on the clock, so it's B.S. that that can be considered for on the clock matters.

And (yeah, go ahead, I'm used to people talking crap) especially when people find out I don't drink?

And holy crap... I spend 8-10 hours a day with these people... I get to actually SPEND TIME with my wife maybe 2-3 hours a night after the baby is taken care of, we have eaten, and whatever other business that needs to be taken care of is accomplished. Sometimes it's only an hour. And the weekends? Please, that's when the real work begins sometimes, especially since I have online and weekend classes.

AH!!!!!

Okay, I feel better.

I know exactly how you feel
My last job at a Ford dealer was like that
At the end of the day we were at the back door chuggin down brews and all was fine
Things changed once I got sober and got a program in my life
I got less work,well good paying work-I got stuck with all the comebacks,warenty work and everything else they dcouldn't make money on
Then eventualy when layoffs came I was the first to go because I "wasn't part of the team"
No bigee,I just landed a job at a VW dealer for twice as much as I was getting at Ford- Because I dont drink

Works for me

Sure its agrivating,but eventualy somthing good comes out of it

[Bailey Guns]

I guess I've been pretty lucky. I've never worked at a place where I didn't like hangin' out with the other employees.

At my current job, nobody seems to hang out together off the job. That's OK, too.

[Irving]

I think you're supposed to tip everyone who delivers things. Movers, appliance guys, tow truck drivers, etc. Not saying that I agree with it, just the way society is.

Mevshooter: I feel for your situation man. I've got enough friends and would rather hang out with my family. I'm open and very friendly, but I'm pretty leary of "work friends" any more. I bet the owner and your boss are the same type of guys who expect you to do that gay little bathroom dance about peeing a certain amount of toilets away from the next guy peeing. Those types of people piss me off. I really can't say anything that hasn't already been said. Good luck I guess.

[DANGERTASTIC!]

What is it with people today getting butthurt so easy? Everyone gets offended or someone callin you "Asshole" an sayin "You need to apologize to him!" To HIM! Why is everyone so overly sensitive???

I never had anyone go easy on me or follow me around holding my hand or wiping my ass.

Must be nicelol

[mevshooter]

Mev - please tell me you were kidding about expecting a tip for delivering a hot tub.

I was COMPLETELY kidding about THAT specific instance.

I NEVER expect a tip. HOWEVER, when someone has a delivery that is ABOVE AND BEYOND what any "regular person" would consider reasonable, which happens A LOT with an, on average, 850+ (now upwards of 1600 for a swim spa) pound item that, contrary to the popular opinion of people who have never had to move the things, can be very difficult and bulky to move, tips do make things "all better."

I don't have an entitlement issue with my job, but people who expect the world to cater to their incredibly stupid choice of landscaping, choice of a narrow gate, decision to put a hot tub on an upper deck and NOT want to pay for a crane, expect my crew and myself to "level" their intended area for spa placement, or decision to live on a mountain side with absolutely no access, is just as much of an entitlement issue as people who expect a tip for making my coffee or burrito. Or people who expect to pay LESS and get more. It's a two way street with this issue most definitely.

And as far as the "no set up" comment, I can tell you for an item that's "not set up," I sure have had to spend literally HOURS with people answering questions. Which is above and beyond my job description. And our company specializes in "wet starts" where we either wait for the electrician to wire the tub or come back on a different day, fill it for them, get it running, set up the filter cycles, ad chemicals, etc, that DEFINITELY falls into a "big ticket item" that's set up.

We're not running some rinky dink spa moving operation where I work. We definitely do the whole "shabang."

But I digress.

Damn bastards at work!

There, back on topic.

[DANGERTASTIC!]

I think tipping is due when an individual provides another with a specific service. I rely on tipping regularly...alot of people dont know, and I dont expect it.

Also I think alot of people know to tip, but dont 'cause they are tight asses!

[Sharpienads]

We have a lot of these types of little get togethers at my AF squadron.

We like to call them "mandatory fun".

[Irving]

I don't see why just because we post on the same website, how we're supposed to just "help" you all the time.

[mevshooter]

I don't see why just because we post on the same website, how we're supposed to just "help" you all the time.

You smart ass.