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Ask HN: Who doesn’t want to go back to the office?

news.ycombinator.com

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Re: Ask HN: Who doesn’t want to go back to the office?

#91

Post by silicon2401 »

I never want to work in an office or around other humans again (besides loved ones). I never enjoyed it at work or in school. The pandemic has been the best time of my life because I've finally gotten a break from having to be around people unless I choose to. I'll probably be going back to the office, and I'll definitely be looking for fully-remote opportunities moving forward.

WFH makes the days easier until I can buy a house in the country and hopefully go days without seeing other humans.

Re: Ask HN: Who doesn’t want to go back to the office?

#93

Post by falcolas »

silicon2401 wrote: post #89
falcolas wrote: post #79

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I had this happen exactly once, and that was because we were friends outside of work before we were colleagues at work. Every other place, all of my "friends" at work, even those I had outside contact with via Facebook or beers, went radio silent when I moved on. It's not pessimistic, it's reality. Exceptions that prove the rules, etc.

It's the grown-up version of school as a substitute for parents. In grade school, school holds your hand and ideally teaches you how to be functional in society and in groups. In college, the school holds your hand through learning to be an independent adult with freedoms and responsibilities, but shielding you from real consequences: bad grades? Probation. Drugs or alcohol? Deal with the school, not the cops. The of…

Conspiracy Theory time:

Companies know this, and depend on this effect. It keeps most of their employees "loyal" to the company at an incredibly low cost, since our social instincts are doing most of the work for them.

Re: Ask HN: Who doesn’t want to go back to the office?

#94

Post by czep »

null_object wrote: post #56

I have more focussed time; more control of my own life; more time with my kids; less time wasted in meetings and drive-by chats from project managers; no-one glances at the clock if I need to leave early - nor do I feel the need for theater when I have to work until late; I enjoy cooking much more (and can put a stew or the oven on, then get back to work); I've saved incredible amounts of money that were otherwise ap…

What a wonderful summary of the benefits this change has wrought. I feel the same, but haven't maximized the opportunity as much as you have! I might head out to listen to some birds right now...

Re: Ask HN: Who doesn’t want to go back to the office?

#95

Post by dagw »

dougmwne wrote: post #62
aliljet wrote: post #29

I may be the malcontent, but I'm tired of being at home. I want to keep the option of being at home, but I miss the community I found at work, I miss the non-work adventures our team had, and frankly, I think the new folks joining our teams are not nearly as integrated into our family as those of that came before the pandemic. I've worked remote for a decade and the option to work remote for 2ish days a week makes li…

Your coworkers are not your family, unless they are literally your family business. Most people don't learn this lesson till the first layoff and they watch those warm and friendly relationships sublimate in an instant.

We're fully aware of this. That doesn't make those relationships any less 'worthwhile' while we do have them.

Re: Ask HN: Who doesn’t want to go back to the office?

#97

Post by tolbish »

adjkant wrote: post #84
tolbish wrote: post #80

Earlier quoted context omitted.

There are plenty of such threads: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=23086452 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=25168589 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=24452280 This thread was intended for people who do not want to go back. It's not a big deal, it just isn't the place.

> it just isn't the place I think you've fallen into trying to moderate the internet as a user here. The verbiage of this post just isn't that strong, as evident by the primary reply being far from alone

Suggesting following site guidelines is a far cry from "moderating the internet". I don't understand the need for hyperbole.

Re: Ask HN: Who doesn’t want to go back to the office?

#98

Post by nolite »

havelhovel wrote: post #67

Things I have avoided over the past year: wearing uncomfortable clothes, being unable to use a restroom because it’s occupied, sweating from the heater, shivering from the AC, being held hostage by coworkers who talk at me about their personal lives and grievances, unpleasant noises, unpleasant smells, being asked trivial questions, the drama of coworkers who can’t behave professionally, ugly decor, uncomfortable sea…

each is small individually, but together they add up to alot

Re: Ask HN: Who doesn’t want to go back to the office?

#99

Post by kevinherron »

thebetatester wrote: post #15

Ron Swanson put it best. I don't have coworkers, I have workplace proximity associates. I don't particularly care to be around the people I work with so being at home has probably kept me in this job longer than it would have otherwise. Also they built us a new office building right before they sent us all home and they're taking me out of an office where I can close the door and putting me in an open air cube farm.…

Sure, but if you actually watched the series you know Ron was full of it when he said that and his coworkers are definitely his friends...

Re: Ask HN: Who doesn’t want to go back to the office?

#100

Post by bradlys »

falcolas wrote: post #79
aeone wrote: post #74

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That seems somewhat overly general and pessimistic. Some of us develop strong support relationships with our colleagues on our teams, which results in conversations and activities that happen well outside of work hours or premises, and lasting friendships that remain strong even years after they've parted ways with the company that brought us together.

I had this happen exactly once, and that was because we were friends outside of work before we were colleagues at work. Every other place, all of my "friends" at work, even those I had outside contact with via Facebook or beers, went radio silent when I moved on. It's not pessimistic, it's reality. Exceptions that prove the rules, etc.

I think your own experience isn’t always what others is. I’ve seen lots of people make lasting friendships through meeting at work.

My best friend is someone I met at work 6+ years ago. I’ve got plenty of other people I stay in touch with. Not all relationships need to be everlasting too. Sometimes work relationships are fun and the authenticity is still real. It’s just that now you’re both not working together, you can’t have the same level of a relationship.

Just because things don’t progress once you’re outside the workplace doesn’t mean it’s not real. Sometimes people have different priorities.

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