People from work have decided to bond and picked a place across the street to my house. I wish I could think of a reason not to go.

Some days I wish I had more mainstream hobbies and likes so I could bond easier with office job folks

They're very excited to sit, chat, and sip wine after work. And I wish that didn't sound tedious to me.

I feel this.

But I'm going to go and smile nicely as they talk about their kids and their gardening. Which is the only two topics I've manged to engage them in small talk over since I started here.

Are you able to keep your time there short? Like, half an hour?

you have to go home and iron your cat

I feel like as humans we have to fight through the small talk and then together we eventually stumble into friendship talk.

Tbh they probably don't like it either but are hoping for the friendship stage.

I think "I don't want to" is an excellent reason

"I'm not feeling up for it" being the more polite version of that

Eh, it depends on the group. The conversation might surprise you, but it's true that it can end up really, really, REALLY inane.

I was in this scenario for a dinner with the wives of my husband's coworkers. Food was good, but GOD the conversation was SO bougie white mom, almost stereotypically so.

I hoping for a surprise, but I'm not holding my breath.

And I almost got out of it yesterday as they wanted to meet up for dinner yesterday and I was all: oh, sorry, I have plans. But then they moved it to today instead.

well.. at least... you don't have far to go...? 8D;

I do like that! And the place they picked is owned by a lovely lady so I'm glad to give her business

Miss Hoi An?

At the least the food will be great.

awe yay!

Jemisaur : that's correct! One of the girls said they didn't think the food there is that good - not bad, but not great and I was like: I will fight you. (except not really as we all have our own likes and preferences when it comes to food lol)

Look, she's entitled to her wrong opinion.