Work...and how much you bring it into the conversation

merika · Jan 4th, 2008, 08:29 AM

For those who are employed / engaged in some sort of activity which is important to you: how often do you tend to bring the topic into conversation both in real life and on tPF?

How do you feel when other friends or members do it? Is there a limit to what you can tolerate hearing about what people are doing or going to do? Is there a context in which you wouldn't mind hearing a person mention their job frequently and situations where it's an irritant hearing it over and over again?

Rockst@r · Jan 4th, 2008, 11:09 AM

I don't talk much about my job. It's not all that interesting. I am an Administrative Assistant. My job was more interesting when I was jewelery, but I needed better hours (dd). My cousin is the same way, because she is a police officer, and much of what she has to say is depressing, other than office gossip (she works inside). Most of my other friends do talk about their jobs alot. I have one friend that calls me just to tell me about her job, and after about 10 mins or so, I find myself tuning her out. I think 10 mins is my limit, and it can't be every day. Maybe 10 mins three times per week, tops.

balihai88 · Jan 4th, 2008, 11:41 AM

When I'm with people who are equally career-driven, we tend to talk about it more. If I'm with people for whom other things in life (family, hobbies, etc) are more important, we talk less abot work. It just depends. When we do talk about work, one thing I can't stand is people implying how important they are. Unless they're saving lives (more power to those people!), it's not that important.

Btw rockst@r your daughter and doggie are totally adorable!!

Laurie8504 · Jan 4th, 2008, 02:42 PM

^^ I agree. I talk about it more with people who are similarly invested in it or something like it. I ususally only bring it up with others if I get a direct question about it. If a friend from somewhere else constantly brought up their work, I might begin to feel like we didn't have anything real to talk about, it just seems like conversation filler you know?

Sweetpea83 · Jan 4th, 2008, 02:46 PM

I talk about it to my SO and close family members..just complaints and gossip about coworkers (hehe)..but never go into detail on this forum..just for the sake of not having someone find out here from work.

candace117 · Jan 4th, 2008, 02:48 PM

It kind of depends, I bring up the fact that I'm a soldier sometimes if it fits into the discussion (like why I want Chanel blue satin nail polish but can't wear it on my fingernails), or if it is directly affecting how I feel about a situation when giving advice.

In the real world I find that a lot of civilians want to talk about my work, and will ask me a lot of questions, so I don't usually bring it up to anyone (cause it's pretty obvious when I'm in uniform, heehee).

I do find my unit's mission to be satisfying and the ultimate: medical evacuation (air ambulance). It's one of the elite NG units, a lot of people rely on us and we do outstanding work. It does make me proud to contribute to such a mission in any way I can. So in that sense I don't mind telling people about it - but I find that unless I'm talking to other soldiers, people will need to ask more questions and learn about military-specific things. But for some reason people love that!

Rockst@r · Jan 4th, 2008, 03:33 PM

balihai88, thank you!

Jahpson · Jan 4th, 2008, 03:38 PM

I only talk about it when someone asks me about it. Otherwise it can carry on to a 15 minute rant. LOL

merika · Jan 4th, 2008, 03:55 PM

I had this conversation with someone (a very nice looking guy):

Guy: So.....what do you think in terms of a career? What do you DO? It must be something interesting

Me: I study theoretical physics

Guy: Ah! Oh...er....I must go get another drink, excuse me.

I don't tell people what I do anymore. Unlike with Candace117, nobody asks me questions. They just disappear.

merde111 · Jan 4th, 2008, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Me: I study theoretical physics

Guy: Ah! Oh...er....I must go get another drink, excuse me.

Ha--love it!!!

Since I work in the media, I tend to bring stuff up now and then--most people are interested in what's going on in the news, especially if I have information that hasn't been released to the general public yet!

However, I know that when work is particularly stressful and I'm irritated with a co-worker, I talk/b*tch about it a LOT, and my friends and boyfriend can get tired of it. They're usually super supportive...but I know they want to put a sock in my big mouth sometimes!!!!

LissiSays · Jan 4th, 2008, 04:13 PM

For me it all depends on the conversation. I'll bring it up if it pertains to the conversation and/or the subject. Or if I want to share something specific that happened (funny story, gossip, situation, etc).

I admit that I sometimes forget that I told someone a story and I'll start to tell it again. If they say "You already told me this" I'll just say "Oh, just kidding then!" But I get annoyed when someone tells me a story 4 times because they forgot they have already told me another 3 times. Especially when they keep telling me the story after I've said "I've been told this before..." But good thing that doesn't happen very often. For the most part, I'm the forgetful one out of all my friends.

D & G rockstar · Jan 4th, 2008, 05:15 PM

I really LOVE my new job so much so i talk about it all the time. LOL.

When i was at my old job, i was always irritated and didn't really want to discuss it a lot because of all the negative energy.

balihai88 · Jan 4th, 2008, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by merika

I had this conversation with someone (a very nice looking guy):

Guy: So.....what do you think in terms of a career? What do you DO? It must be something interesting

Me: I study theoretical physics

Guy: Ah! Oh...er....I must go get another drink, excuse me.

I don't tell people what I do anymore. Unlike with Candace117, nobody asks me questions. They just disappear.

merika this cracked me up! I bet a lot of guys are intimidated by your intelligence...more power to you girl!!

daphodill84 · Jan 4th, 2008, 09:22 PM

It depends!

If i'm going out for a relaxing night with my friends, I really don't want to be talking about my career (accounting) or hearing about theirs (bf is in finance, friends are in law.) That goes against the whole "relaxing" theme of the evening!

But otherwise, as young adults just starting out in the work world, our careers are big parts of our lives that we are still adjusting to, so the stresses of work come up a lot.

merika · Jan 4th, 2008, 09:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by balihai88

merika this cracked me up! I bet a lot of guys are intimidated ....

It makes it very hard to find a date, except for ones like this

Fortunately the current squeeze looks a little better.

Jan 4th, 2008, 08:29 AM	#1
merika Just me Location: In front of a computer	Work...and how much you bring it into the conversation For those who are employed / engaged in some sort of activity which is important to you: how often do you tend to bring the topic into conversation both in real life and on tPF? How do you feel when other friends or members do it? Is there a limit to what you can tolerate hearing about what people are doing or going to do? Is there a context in which you wouldn't mind hearing a person mention their job frequently and situations where it's an irritant hearing it over and over again? __________________ I will also gladly authenticate your chocolates for you.

Jan 4th, 2008, 11:09 AM	#2
Rockst@r Zeta lady 4ever Location: Philadelphia	Re: Work...and how much you bring it into the conversation I don't talk much about my job. It's not all that interesting. I am an Administrative Assistant. My job was more interesting when I was jewelery, but I needed better hours (dd). My cousin is the same way, because she is a police officer, and much of what she has to say is depressing, other than office gossip (she works inside). Most of my other friends do talk about their jobs alot. I have one friend that calls me just to tell me about her job, and after about 10 mins or so, I find myself tuning her out. I think 10 mins is my limit, and it can't be every day. Maybe 10 mins three times per week, tops. __________________ My 5yr old diva! It's a boy! Born 10/10 at 10:10pm.

Jan 4th, 2008, 11:41 AM	#3
balihai88 26.2 Location: At the beach!	Re: Work...and how much you bring it into the conversation When I'm with people who are equally career-driven, we tend to talk about it more. If I'm with people for whom other things in life (family, hobbies, etc) are more important, we talk less abot work. It just depends. When we do talk about work, one thing I can't stand is people implying how important they are. Unless they're saving lives (more power to those people!), it's not that important. Btw rockst@r your daughter and doggie are totally adorable!! __________________

Jan 4th, 2008, 02:42 PM	#4
Laurie8504 chocolate...where? Location: Italy	Re: Work...and how much you bring it into the conversation ^^ I agree. I talk about it more with people who are similarly invested in it or something like it. I ususally only bring it up with others if I get a direct question about it. If a friend from somewhere else constantly brought up their work, I might begin to feel like we didn't have anything real to talk about, it just seems like conversation filler you know?

Jan 4th, 2008, 02:46 PM	#5
Sweetpea83 Happy Holidays!	Re: Work...and how much you bring it into the conversation I talk about it to my SO and close family members..just complaints and gossip about coworkers (hehe)..but never go into detail on this forum..just for the sake of not having someone find out here from work. __________________ The good life is one inspired by love and guided by knowledge.- Bertrand Russell

Jan 4th, 2008, 02:48 PM	#6
candace117 Pirate Trash Location: Hardcorvallis	Re: Work...and how much you bring it into the conversation It kind of depends, I bring up the fact that I'm a soldier sometimes if it fits into the discussion (like why I want Chanel blue satin nail polish but can't wear it on my fingernails), or if it is directly affecting how I feel about a situation when giving advice. In the real world I find that a lot of civilians want to talk about my work, and will ask me a lot of questions, so I don't usually bring it up to anyone (cause it's pretty obvious when I'm in uniform, heehee). I do find my unit's mission to be satisfying and the ultimate: medical evacuation (air ambulance). It's one of the elite NG units, a lot of people rely on us and we do outstanding work. It does make me proud to contribute to such a mission in any way I can. So in that sense I don't mind telling people about it - but I find that unless I'm talking to other soldiers, people will need to ask more questions and learn about military-specific things. But for some reason people love that! __________________ "With so much drama in the L-B-C, it's kinda hard bein Snoop D-O-double G."

Jan 4th, 2008, 03:33 PM	#7
Rockst@r Zeta lady 4ever Location: Philadelphia	Re: Work...and how much you bring it into the conversation balihai88, thank you!

Jan 4th, 2008, 03:38 PM	#8
Jahpson Member Location: The Playground	Re: Work...and how much you bring it into the conversation I only talk about it when someone asks me about it. Otherwise it can carry on to a 15 minute rant. LOL __________________ Amazingly Sophisticated Happy Holidays to all my TPF friends!

Jan 4th, 2008, 03:55 PM	#9
merika Just me Location: In front of a computer	Re: Work...and how much you bring it into the conversation I had this conversation with someone (a very nice looking guy): Guy: So.....what do you think in terms of a career? What do you DO? It must be something interesting Me: I study theoretical physics Guy: Ah! Oh...er....I must go get another drink, excuse me. I don't tell people what I do anymore. Unlike with Candace117, nobody asks me questions. They just disappear. __________________ I will also gladly authenticate your chocolates for you.

Jan 4th, 2008, 04:13 PM	#11
LissiSays I <3 Coach =Þ Location: Miami, Florida	Re: Work...and how much you bring it into the conversation For me it all depends on the conversation. I'll bring it up if it pertains to the conversation and/or the subject. Or if I want to share something specific that happened (funny story, gossip, situation, etc). I admit that I sometimes forget that I told someone a story and I'll start to tell it again. If they say "You already told me this" I'll just say "Oh, just kidding then!" But I get annoyed when someone tells me a story 4 times because they forgot they have already told me another 3 times. Especially when they keep telling me the story after I've said "I've been told this before..." But good thing that doesn't happen very often. For the most part, I'm the forgetful one out of all my friends. __________________ *LiSSi* Don't play games with a girl who can play better!

Jan 4th, 2008, 05:15 PM	#12
D & G rockstar I'm a BAL-ler now Location: NYC	Re: Work...and how much you bring it into the conversation I really LOVE my new job so much so i talk about it all the time. LOL. When i was at my old job, i was always irritated and didn't really want to discuss it a lot because of all the negative energy. __________________ My bal collection will be complete by the end of 2008: FBF 02 3rd season 2004 Lilac first 2004 Dark Turquoise - coming soon 2005 Pewter first 2005 Caramel purse 2005 Teal work 2005 BG work 2005 Choco work 2005 Apple Green twiggy 2006 Pale rose shopper 2006 Rouille city 2007 Plomb city 2007 Anthra work 2007 Violet city 2007 Jaune city 2007 LE Magenta city 2007 Aqua city 2008 Bouton first I'm on a ban forreal now!!!!

Jan 4th, 2008, 09:22 PM	#14
daphodill84 Member	Re: Work...and how much you bring it into the conversation It depends! If i'm going out for a relaxing night with my friends, I really don't want to be talking about my career (accounting) or hearing about theirs (bf is in finance, friends are in law.) That goes against the whole "relaxing" theme of the evening! But otherwise, as young adults just starting out in the work world, our careers are big parts of our lives that we are still adjusting to, so the stresses of work come up a lot.