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This morning I had three members of my team private message me to tell me about their weekend. On one hand, maybe I'm an asshole because I don't care to have t

This morning I had three members of my team private message me to tell me about their weekend. On one hand, maybe I'm an asshole because I don't care to have three separate conversations about my weekend. But there's something about Internet Messaging which makes it highly inefficient and basic small talk that should last 30 seconds in the office, last 30 minutes. I tend to use phrases like "ttyl" or "cya" to try to escape the conversation. But it doesn't always work. So I end up just not responding after awhile. Either way I look like an asshole. Slack or not, online communication lacks etiquette.

munro 6y ago
I don't know you or your coworkers, but dang, trash talking them on HN? Sounds like a great place to work </sarcasm>. Definitely sounds like some communication issues going on. I've worked for the past 8 years on remote teams, and from my experience, having a shared mind is very important to a highly productive team. My suggestion to you would be to communicate with your coworkers that you've already talked about your weekend with so-and-so, building resentment with your coworkers is never good. Maybe even create a channel specifically to talk about your weekends! Who knows, you may like it. :)
- Solvitieg 6y ago
  You're right I might be insensitive and ideally I would have the time (and patience) to have a useful, thoughtful conversation with each person I talk to. I don't have 8 years experience working from home, so it's possible this is something I can improve. I like the idea of having an open-channel for weekend discussion.
sumedh 6y ago
> Slack or not, online communication lacks etiquette. Its probably you not them. If you dont like people message you about non work topics, just ignore their message or directly tell them that you are busy. They will get the message and stop being friendly with you.

munro 6y ago

I don't know you or your coworkers, but dang, trash talking them on HN? Sounds like a great place to work </sarcasm>. Definitely sounds like some communication issues going on. I've worked for the past 8 years on remote teams, and from my experience, having a shared mind is very important to a highly productive team. My suggestion to you would be to communicate with your coworkers that you've already talked about your weekend with so-and-so, building resentment with your coworkers is never good. Maybe even create a channel specifically to talk about your weekends! Who knows, you may like it. :)

Solvitieg 6y ago
You're right I might be insensitive and ideally I would have the time (and patience) to have a useful, thoughtful conversation with each person I talk to. I don't have 8 years experience working from home, so it's possible this is something I can improve. I like the idea of having an open-channel for weekend discussion.

sumedh 6y ago

> Slack or not, online communication lacks etiquette. Its probably you not them. If you dont like people message you about non work topics, just ignore their message or directly tell them that you are busy. They will get the message and stop being friendly with you.