Probably not relevant for those whose career started in the States. More relevant for those who had extended work experience in another culture (Asia) before coming here. How did you cope with the almost diametrically opposite office work culture here? Am specifically referring to the absence of small talk during office hours. It's almost like an examination hall silence sometimes, and there have been times (days) that the only person I had any real exchange with (though work related), was my manager (who sits next to me). I'm finding this very hard to get used to and it's affecting my productivity (& sanity). It doesn't help that I joined recently & have no real personal friends in office. We have an open floor seating, and ours is an American subsidiary of a non-American Tech company. The parent has a somewhat different (more relaxed) work culture.
How old are the guys around you? I’m lucky. And not from USA and my mother language is not English, and I have a good friendship with the folks on my team. There are jokes along the day, but most al of the time the office is in silence.
You have a point, there are a mix of people, some engineers & non-tech folk, but also several senior people ranging from Director to SVP level around. (The latter) doesn't help for sure. I so wish the environment was how you described. My team is also comparatively new so are finding a foothold themselves, in this place
Known fact. Americans are shallow.
May or may not be related to my observation. Personally I think it has got at least a little to do with their 'individualistic' vs. the Asian 'collectivist' culture, but I could be wrong.
Bro! Cant believe you're saying this after having worked in asia. You should be thankful . I'm doing the reverse and it's a shitshow. There is no concept of personal space or office hours and the politics is just unbelievable.
Every place has it's pros and cons. One reality doesn't mean the other doesn't exist. In general, I AM grateful for the absence of the things you pointed out & I'm aware of that. Now, if only there could just be a little more joie de vivre & camaraderie around, I'd be a happy employee. (Well, that, and maybe better lunch) : ) I understand we've got to make the best of what we have, and hence reached out to know if anyone has been in the same boat, and if so, how they 'acclimatized'. P.S. - Am not a bro P.P.S. - Why did you move back?
Well u have to make an effort for that. I kinda didnt feel like seeing myself there say 20-30 years down the line and staying was only gonna make me more confused .So i thought of taking the plunge.
Look busy, do nothing, and talk loud .
Ha..is that how you guys work at Cloudera?! OK, just joking.. : ]
Examination hall silence would be great! Nothing you describe matches my experience.
How does one even stare at a computer screen for, like, 2 hrs? It's not even advisable (from a health/ medical perspective). What I've described above is my experience. I already acknowledged in my original post that my experience was different in the parent company's office, so your experience could perfectly be possible (and that's nice to know) but don't think it invalidates mine (if that's what you meant). I too like a peaceful environment during work, but this just seemed a bit too much. Maybe it's just me & because I'm relatively new (to this culture & office), but I'll concede not many would've experienced the cultural difference in working styles at the stage of their career as I did.
Small talk in the work areas is why (imo) open space sucks. All up for informal communication, but in appropriate time/place (watercooler, lunch etc).
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Why do you think this is American? Where do you work? This is a tech thing. Same here, but most around me are Indian and Chinese.
Hmm, I worked at the parent company as well, locally, but didn't feel this way. Probably the seating (cubicle vs open-floor) also makes a difference. Don't wish to reveal company name, but just wished to know how to get used to this. I imagine it's particularly hard in my case as I earlier worked in my home country where the work atmosphere was anything but formal. Almost constant small talk, etc. Not advocating that but I just didn't think it'd be so different here
Maybe your coworkers just like focusing and being productive then going home. Actually I am the same way. Can you focus on doing something social during breaks for lunch for instance? Then just focus on work in work hours.