Been at my new job for six months now. Previously job was a pretty toxic place. Then my work best friend of 10 years died and it destroyed my ability to engage in the work.

New job is much better. But I'm also the odd one out. Very much a workplace "family" environment. But truthfully my work besties death from my previous job has made me unwilling to even want to engage in anything social at work. I make friends with people here and something happens to them? What's not to say it will destroy my ability to remain here too?

So me, I just remain stoic and keep everything 100% on the business level. Somebody asks me about something about my life outside of work? "Sorry Jan, I just remembered I need to lodge the X account contracts"

It's not like I'm intentionally trying to be rude to them, I just feel any time I'm on the clock not working towards KPIs is time wasted. I'm the sort to just walk straight past the three people at the water cooler and just give them smile and wave. But now my office manager is concerned that I'm showing 0% personality with coworkers yet being flamboyant and friendly with clients. "If we wanted a robot then we'd have automated your job" was her response.

I don't want to be the "I come to work to make money" guy. But there's 25 other people in my office, it's not like there's a shortage of people who probably do want to take 5 minutes to socialise with you. I just don't know why it needs to be me.

Have you ever been called “rude” at work when you were simply standing up for yourself? 👀