brianpaddick.org

Having drinks after work with colleagues can be a great way to develop working relationships, help with team building and even help your career development. At the same time, it can also be a political minefield.

I like to go for drinks with a few people in particular at work, not all guys or all girls or anything like that, there's just a certain group of us that get on really well and have great banter, and we tend to be the core group that go out. There are always others who join us from time to time and it's great, the problem is when really boring people come along.

I know it sounds horrible, and it is, but I just can't stand to be stuck with the boring lad who wants to tell me all about his old job selling car insurance where they loved him, or the few awkward ones who come out and stand at the bar staring at everyone but not joining in with any conversations.

I do feel bad, but it's so awkward, I wish they'd just make more effort or not bother coming along!

Photo: joelgoodman (Flickr)