A
female
age
51-59,
anonymous
writes:At a work social event do you think it's usual for people to not say hi or say quick hi and not socialise with everyone, or is it a bit rude? Obviously we talk to those we like and feel comfortable with but shouldn't everyone try to talk a little to most people? Noticed this at work farewell today, some people barely acknowledged some people (no hate, just aloof) and said hi and chatted with others, what's work social event socialising etiquette? Are some people just cliquey or rude? Or just chatting to those they like best? Thoughts?
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male
reader, no nonsense Aidan  +, writes (18 June 2016):
People just discriminate all the time, it’s how we stop ourselves becoming overwhelmed by social interaction. There are people you like more and less. You look at some-one and decide if they’re friendly or not. You see what kind of work some-one does and wonder if you’re going to have anything in common. You pick your closest and most intimate social circle, have a slightly wider group of friends and a much wider group of acquaintances.
Yes people should try to introduce themselves to other colleagues if possible, but it really depends. If you’re a team of 10 and 9 of you ignore the new guy who you don’t know, that’s pretty mean. If it’s packed with hundreds of people, you might well ask yourself how much you’re going to say to anyone anyway? Then you might stick to your own friends. I’m sure you wouldn’t ignore a less well-known colleague who was seated at your table though. It’s all about proximity, intimacy of the setting and the inevitably discriminatory nature of human interaction. Gut instinct will serve you well here. If you think some-one is being ignored or side-lined, they probably are. If it’s just a question of practicalities, you’ll figure that out too.
I wish you all the very best.
A
female
reader, CindyCares  +, writes (18 June 2016):
 I guess it depends from the size of the event. I have been to corporate dinners and parties where the attendance was 200 or 300 people, it's just not feasible to make small talk with everybody even if it's all people that know each other at least by sight.
If, au contraire, it's , say , a farewell dinner for someone from a staff of 12, then obviously one can choose to sit by his / her best office buddy, but should give some attention to everybody.
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