How do you make friends at work?

[Anonymous]

I see a few women become close at work and they end up taking their breaks and lunches together. I used to have that but now my department is far and I don't get to see my usual co workers. I have become anti social and always take my lunch alone. A lot of other people do but sometimes I miss having lunch with people but I had bad experiences in the past that I don't bother anymore but at times it does make me feel a bit down. How do you all make friends at work?

[Hardon-Collider]

You just have to be casual and use the physical reality around you. For example, you're going to the 2nd floor and you see someone else going there. You can say, 'Oh, you're on your way to the 2nd floor? This staircase is a real beast, isn't it? I always feel like I'm climbing a mountain just getting to my desk.' Or you can say, 'You're going to the 3rd floor? I'm always getting lost finding that door. How do you do it?' You can talk to someone at the water cooler or the coffee machine and just start a conversation about the space you're all in. It's easy, it's real, it's human. You don't need to be all fancy or make up some deep topic. You can just use the things that are right there in front of you.

[Asker]

You are so right about this!! Thank you

[Anonymous]

You don't. You aren't being paid to be there to socialize.

[Asker]

LOL great answer! I agree but sometimes it helps make the day faster you know