Is it worth to make friends with people who work at office and are 5 years older than you?

[Azura_88]

Because what kinda conversation will I have with them?

My career path is totally different and what if we are not compatible as good friends?

Basically I hate wasting my time with people who are just temporary but also don't offer any boost to my career.

I either make forever good friends or friends with temporary people who can give me a career boost.

[abc3643]

Of course!

My best friends at work include a man who is 16 years older than me and two young men young enough to be my sons.

The only reason why near the same age is important is if you are going to talk about pop culture like current music stars. That's what kids obsess over. Adults have more important things to worry about and think about and adults of all ages have, for the most part, these same issues. For instance, I (58), one coworker (40), and my other coworker buddy (74) all can't stand Trump and, as the 74-year-old calls them, "Rethuglicans".

[abc3643]

WORD OF ADVICE:

THIS:
"Basically I hate wasting my time with people who are just temporary but also don't offer any boost to my career."

YOU NEED TO GROW UP FAST.

Your attitude is EXACTLY what is going to PREVENT you from achieving what you want.
Why?
Because you never know who's important and who's not and that changes all the time... So, in other words, you don't know exactly who can "boost your career" and when... and...
>>>>> You don't know who can end your career either. (*)

So, instead of being an immature and holier-than-thou asshole about it, learn these vital adages of life:
1. Treat everybody as you'd want to be treated.
2. Be careful of the words you choose as you climb the ladder of success. You might have to eat them when coming down.

(*) Remember, you don't know who's sleeping with who. Little did I know, but a lowly co-worker who wouldn't have advanced my career was married to my boss. Fortunately, I treated them all well and love them. But, imagine if I shot my mouth of saying "[Boss] is a real asshole and an idiot." and my coworker heard that and, while in bed with her husband / my boss, said "[My name] said you were a real asshole and an idiot." Do you think I'm going to get a promotion? Or even keep my job? And once I've lost my job, are they going to give me a referral or be able to use them as a reference for a new job? NOPE.

So, wise-up and don't be an idiot who tries to view people as assets or tools to use for personal advancement. If you do, that WILL backfire and you will doom yourself.

HEED MY ADVICE.

[Azura_88]

I treat everyone kindly but I was just asking to spend time with them... I faced many betrayals before and people used to be my friends only to take my help. So I know real friends are hard to find.

[abc3643]

One of the risks in life is that you need to get emotionally invested in others in some way. In your life, many people will be like dogs... They are in your life for some time and then leave it for natural reasons. But, you love your dog while it's in your life. That's how you need to think about people too. Even if they are temporary, care for (most of) them as if they are life-long friends or even family. You never know. You are young so you have no experience with what I am about to tell you. People may leave your life... and then come right back into it decades later. For instance, there are people I am Facebook friends with some of whom I haven't seen in 50+ years. I had no knowledge of them, where they lived, or anything in much of that time... but then I found them on Facebook and are friends again like it was yesterday... People like this can help you get jobs... It's called "Networking" and networking is THE #1 way to get a job. Your résumé and credentials are important, but just as important are 1) who you know and 2) your reputation. A bad reputation (such as being an unpleasant or standoffish person) can kill an otherwise qualified candidate. A good reputation can get you a job without interviewing. Believe me: I haven't have to interview for a job since 2009 and only minorly so because my network established me as having a good reputation. The last time I had to interview for real was in 2005...

[abc3643]

I went a bit off on an important tangent...

Yes, you have to risk being hurt when you invest in a relationship, but, if you don't invest, you won't get the rewards either. It's like raising kids.

[BarryLiverstone]

Yes it’s worth it because as a career boost you are expanding your network. Networking is huge professionally and why LinkedIn is so popular. You never know where you will run into those people again in your career. Even just being friendly and then knowing your name has benefits. So if you can, you don’t have to be besties but a few social outings will pay off.

[BarryLiverstone]

Thank you for MHO

[boggboss]

Lol I became friends with my boss and he is 54 then again it dont sound like u value friendship for itself

[Avicenna]

Sure, I would definitely do that

[In_Trance]

Depends on your sense of value

[jenoftheeast]

Maybe..