SERIOUSLY! Is it so hard just to have people leave you alone?! Sometimes I’ll even put two headphones in to try to signal that I really don’t want to talk and then people tap me on my shoulder and ramble about nothing important. Just leave me alone and let me work and listen to my audiobooks or podcasts.
I’ve had people complain I’m rude because I don’t want to talk. If I wanted to talk to people all day I would’ve become a therapist.
Am I being the a-hole by not wanting to socialize?
Difficult to judge here. Idk what your job is so it’s hard to say how important socializing/communicating with coworkers is.
NTA but man does it bother them
https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/blog/the-neurodivergent-therapist/202201/communication-styles-counseling-and-neurodiversity
Normally an office workplace is considered a social space and it does sound like you are in an open office space?
You’re not less of an AH for not wanting to talk to any of your coworkers than they might be for wanting to talk to you.
A very big part of work is getting along with your coworkers and your team (if you have one). Why were you hired?
That’s a two way street though. Getting along with an introvert is respecting their boundries.
As an introvert myself I don’t think it’s a reasonable expectation not to talk with colleagues at work. If you don’t want to talk to people you should find a job which meets that need. You can’t reasonably ask people not to talk to you at work.
In my experience, if you do a little bit of small talk at the start of the day, you can get away with keeping to yourself the rest of the time. Do a couple minutes of hey, how are you, some weather we’re having when you come in and you won’t seem like such an unknown to your coworkers. Playing the game a little makes things easier in the long run.
You’re the type of person who will exercise your absolute right to be left alone, which I guess is fine, but in 3 years time wonder why you keep getting passed up for promotions or interesting projects.
You can keep to yourself all you want, but it carries consequences. Some of those consequences are people thinking you’re an asshole.
YTA slightly because work isn’t just about the tasks, it’s about the team too. if u act like everyone is a burden, u r gonna find it rly hard to get help or a promotion later on when u actually need it.
Have u considered that tapping ur shoulder might be their only way to get a word in? if u never look up or acknowledge people, they r gonna feel like they have to force an interaction just to get work done
YTA. a job is a social contract as much as it is a professional one. if u rly cant handle a 2 minute conversation about nothing, then maybe an office environment just isnt for u.
This is really more venting than an Am I the Asshole situation. I’m almost positive you were asked about your ability to work with others when you interviewed for the job. What did you say?
I get not wanting to speak to people but yeah, YTA here.
A workplace is a team and you not wanting to take part in the team mentality will only hold you back.
INFO- Are you ignoring coworkers who are asking you about your tasks and projects you’re working on together? Do you still attend meetings?
It’s not a matter of being an AH or anything, but as a fellow introvert who would rather “do their job and go home” socializing is a strategic way to remain employed. If people like you, you might not be laid off. If you’re someone who’s not visible and doesn’t talk to anyone on the team, you won’t be missed if you were let go. I would bring some donuts in or something some time.