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Comment by nine_zeros | Hacker News Reader

Why the fuck would anyone schmooze to a boss/company who can fire you at anytime?

At-will employment cuts both ways.

Not so much the boss, but I like my coworkers and enjoy an occasional night out with them. This might shock HN but not everyone despises their job and not everyone hates the people they work with.

Company occasionally runs an optional dinner/entertainment night with food and drinks paid for. And I'm happy to participate.

> This might shock HN but not everyone despises their job and not everyone hates the people they work with.

Who is saying that? I don't despise my job or coworkers, but I'd rather spend time with my family after work. I don't really have that much free time so I prioritize.

I like my colleagues. I’m having fun with them all day long. After hour I take care of my children if I have them, go to my sport activity, see friends, meet new people, get lucky, like to spend time alone to do stuff like read, draw, sculpt. So no I don’t hate my job. But I already give it a lot of my time, and I don’t define myself by it. Doesn’t mean I don’t make friends at works.

And… if they truly want to see me ? Select a work day, do it during the work day. Current job host a seminar during the work hour, with a one night out on a hostel on Thursday. Not a week end.

Helps build trust and friendships, and understand people at a level beyond their job.

I somehow agree with both of these points, but am not sure I understand how that can be.

You can compartmentalize your personal and professional personas. Also, you should be doing all that trust building on the clock.

It can both serve a function (help build extended relationships) and be something people don’t want to do because those relationships can be severed in an instant thanks to at will employment.

And even if you or they leave, in many forms of business having friends in another company can be huge in providing a safety net or a path towards a better job. Socialization with others may be the closest thing to a union that devs have. If Amazon cuts your job, your old buddy who moved to MS might be a lifeline.

One statement relates to inter personal relationships. The other relates to the employer - employee relationship.

Faux socialization is just hybrid class warfare.

- Wanna grab a drink after work?

- Nah, I’m not into hybrid class warfare

Wouldn’t that be the very reason you’d want to schmooze?

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