I've worked remotely for several years, first where it was common (Red Hat) and now where it's very rare (Facebook). At a gross level, not much has changed. I

I've worked remotely for several years, first where it was common (Red Hat) and now where it's very rare (Facebook). At a gross level, not much has changed. I interact with people socially about as much as I always did. What has changed is that my social interactions are more conscious and deliberate. Everyone I see, I see voluntarily and occasionally - not day after day after day whether we like it or not, as with coworkers. As a result, I have to focus a bit more on making those times rewarding and repeatable. I watch the ebb and flow of conversation, listening more and even trying to create openings for those who don't seem to be finding their own. I keep a mental list of conversational gambits for when other topics peter out or need to be changed quickly. These are all good skills to have anyway. but they become absolutely critical when you need to keep those outside-of-work relationships humming along. I also find that I engage in more chit-chat with people I meet more casually. My mail carrier. The folks at the local convenience store. Anyone sitting next to me at a bar or waiting near me in line. I'm an introvert, I can't stand to interact with people too much, but these little exchanges help me stay connected and (perhaps even more importantly) stay in practice for when conversations really matter. So, oddly, I think working remotely has helped me improve my social skills. As they say, calm seas never made a great sailor. I know some people founder, but for me it has been more of an opportunity to hone some generally useful skills.