What do people talk about at work?

[ianria]

I am deaf and I am also very shy - I need to build confidence on talking to colleagues but I am not sure where to start. What do people really talk about while they are working?

[Andy008]

It would depend very much on where you were working. Last year I worked in the call-centre of a high street bank. The office not only resembled Wernham Hogg, but had also had all its own little characters - and their relevant conversations.

[emmalee]

The Boss? Somtimes good, sometimes bad, but always entertaining!!

[lindapinda]

The previous night's telly,is always a big topic! Their friends and families,what they're going to have to make for the evening meal,what they're going to be doing that evening or at the weekend! All sorts of general topics,and of course,the inevitable office gossip! Be brave,take it a wee bit at a time,you don't have to be the life and soul of the party type,for people to like you! Good luck!

[Piper-AK]

One of the best icebreakers is when someone needs a little assisstance - either you giving it or receiving it. It's the perfect excuse to talk to someone, and you can then start bantering with them and talking about other stuff. Food was always a huge topic in any work place I've ever been in, also shopping of any sort, moans and groans about work - nothing better than someone you can all b*tch about to break the ice!

[ieatbees]

in my office we talk about music, shopping, partners, the weather, news items, sport, what we got up to at the weekend. But we always come back to talking about our jobs - fairly boring really!

[denisegordon]

If you're in an area that gets the free Metro paper, there's usually something in there that you can talk about. We do it most mornings at work, "did you see that thing in the Metro today..."

[MINTED187]

Hi ianria

I myself am a hearing person but have taken courses in sign language and deaf awareness courses in order to communicate and understand deaf people. having worked in offices i would like to be able to communicate and include deaf people into the conversations should i ever have the chance to work with any ! people may not realise that you cannot really participate in talking about "music" or things like that but how about organising an evening out after work that is always popular, and that way you get to know everyone out of the office environment which is more relaxing. after that outing people will approach each other to talk about that evening and will be willing to mix more. i hope that helps i myself can be quite shy at times but just be brave and go for it!! goodluck