Should people talk about their personal lives at work?

SkateboardFi

It probably depends on where you work. Where I work, we're all a family

pretty much that's how it is where i work, there's certain things i would rather not hear about though, like if a coworker is involved in behavior that i've already expressed my disapproval of, i'll kindly tell them not to repeat idiotic actions to me that i've already advised them against

porcelain_doll

The more things you tell people at work, the more they have to say about you when you're not around. I haven't had a really great experience making friends with people at work, unfortunately. I was naive and didn't think anyone would ever talk about me behind my back because everyone was "so nice."

_Ben

If its preventing you from completing your job, then its to much. Personally, I dont really care all that much about your personal life so as long also as I dont have to listen, I dont really care

dmpizza

I discuss personal things when needed. Things like who is sick, or how my vacation was. I don't discuss intimate "details".

You should never discuss religion or politics, unless you have a good feeling the person can discuss these things without thinking your side is a personal attack or judgement.

megz4987

I never participated in that sort of talk at the office. Then again, I'm 24 and everyone else was 33-67yrs old and quite literally all of them lived strange lives. I didnt want their lives interfering with my work, because if I allowed them to think I was interested in what's going on they would stand at my desk to rant for an hour or more while I'm trying to get work done.

One had a child with aspergers and didn't know how to handle him (not to mention she thought aspergers was downs syndrome for the first 7yrs of her childs life before I corrected her).
Another had a daughter that would disapear after school an refuse to tell anyone where she was.
Another was gay but would never admit it (he will when his mom dies, I know it) and raved about all the STDs he's had.
Another had her 40+yr old son living with her and her crazy mean husband who has alzheimers.
My boss was constantly in the hospital because he didn't take care of himself and his wife (another boss) would tell us all details of how his *kitten* had come out of his body.

I could go on. But these are the things people would try to talk to me about and I'd ignore them, otherwise I'd get no work done. They would use the first and last hour of the day to talk strictly talk and that's it.

Then again, I was the one laid off after I had my daughter 6 months ago so. Apparently having a boss that wants her employees to be her friends because she doesn't have any would prefer you to talk to her than work.

ncgatorfan

Should people be on MFP at work?

That's why I'm so peppy and happy at work!!

sunkisses

If my coworkers are cool, then I allow them to get to know me personally. If they're douchey - forget it. My coworkers right now are new to me, but cool enough. I share personal information to the extent that they need to know it - like why I'll be taking off early that day and stuff. The other lush in the office and I bonded over booze at the bay party last month. Plus we both get off on saying semi-raunchy things around the very prissy but sweet girl in the office. That's cool in my book.

Iamfit4life

Should people be on MFP at work?

oh no you di'nt!

Iamfit4life

TO answer this question I speak very little about personal stuff to co-workers. They're older than me for the most part and I don't really have anything in common.

They know I have two kids, they know my significant other lives far away. That's about it.