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> No one talks to anyone from other companies, to the point of awkwardness. I often see two people in the kitchen area from different companies and it can be a
by kerkeslager 9y ago
> No one talks to anyone from other companies, to the point of awkwardness. I often see two people in the kitchen area from different companies and it can be a bit like a comedy sketch as they try to get their kitchening done without acknowledging the other person exists. Absurd, why don't people talk to each other. Especially people you see every day!
Having worked in a number of shared workspaces: while this does seem to be the natural state of things, breaking the barrier is fairly easy. In every workspace I've worked at, I've gotten to know almost everyone there by talking to them in the kitchen, and once people see me doing it, they start doing it. You're not obligated to change the culture of your workspace, but if you don't like it, it doesn't even take much effort to change it. And there are big career benefits to this: I've met a number of my clients this way.
- amatecha 9y agoHeck yeah, even the most trivial chatter "by the water cooler" can result in surprising door-opening, whether intended or not. :)
- mourner 9y agoHey, any recommendations for a conversation starter in a coworking kitchen?
- kerkeslager 9y agoJust ask a question about the person, people are almost always happy to talk about themselves. Something not too personal, and ideally related to something present--i.e. if there's something going on in the kitchen or whatever. In the most general case, you're in a coworking space and their ostensibly working for a company there, so "Hey, I noticed you around and was curious about what your company does?" is generally pretty easy. Or if it's obvious what their company does, "Hey I noticed you around and I was curious about what you do at Foo Company?" Don't overthink it, it's just a conversation and the worst that happens is you return to the awkward silence that was there before.
- Libturd 9y agolol, literally teaching shut-ins how to socialize. this site is AMAZING.
- sumedh 9y agoHow was your weekend or any special plans for this weekend.
- tmnvix 9y ago"Have you been working here for long?" Followed by: "So what are you working on?" And so on...