How do you act around people you don’t like at work?

[Sweetchocolatecandy]

I’m in a training group at the moment with two women who I just cannot bear- they are extremely loud, bitchy and immature. The problem is, I’m autistic and have this thing where I really struggle to make an effort with people who I don’t like to the point where I’m not joining in their conversations (although I’m polite where needs be) and eating lunch in my car by myself so I think I’m gaining a reputation of being weird and unsociable. My DH thinks I should make more effort but if I do this I just feel like I’m being fake and it makes me feel uncomfortable.

How do other people act around people they don’t like?

Be professional and courteous.

Do not let anyone know your feelings.

And yes, you are in danger of being thought of as weird and unsociable , but perhaps you don’t mind that.

If you spent a bit more time with them you might get to like them a bit more

@Tigertigertigertiger

Be professional and courteous. Do not let anyone know your feelings.

And yes, you are in danger of being thought of as weird and unsociable , but perhaps you don’t mind that.

If you spent a bit more time with them you might get to like them a bit more

I agree with this, (except the last line, you're unlikely to be friends,sometimes it happens, but rarely)

Acting uninterested gets me out of most situations I don’t want to be in. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with being weird or unsociable though.

Be civil, I always like to have lunch by myself anyway.

Agree with @Tigertigertigertiger. I just remain professional and polite at all times. I wouldn't eat my lunch in my car though as I wouldn't want to appear rude or standoffish.

If they are loud, bitchy and immature then keep well away. If you make too much effort to join in, you'll end up being tarred with the same brush. Just be courteous but do your own thing. You'll be much better respected for it.

Just be civil and polite, helpful if needed. Don't go out of your way to socialise with them, there's no point in that. Keep yourself to yourself if you're more comfortable that way. If you have other people there you get on well with just hang out with them.

You're there to work , not to make best friends and be the life of the party.

You are slightly acting out by eating lunch in your car, and that is not very professional.

… but @ANameChangeAgain is right, too.

@Tripptrott

You are slightly acting out by eating lunch in your car, and that is not very professional.

… but @ANameChangeAgain is right, too.

How is it acting out and unprofessional?

I'd just act professional and focus on work. Luckily I work shifts so I don't always work with the same people. Theres only one person I really dislike working with but I could go weeks at a time without being on the same shift with her so that makes it easier to hide my feelings. I might go to the main staff canteen rather than eating in our own staff room (I work in a big hospital) if she was the only one in there but that wouldn't be seen as odd.

What a pp said, polite, courteous. You don’t have to be bessie mates with someone to work well with them. I have the same issue, but I don’t see it as an issue.

Agree. Just be polite. You don’t have to laugh along with them, hang out with them or lunch with them.

Just be civil and professional. I don't think you're doing anything at all wrong in eating alone. Even in offices where I've got on great with the others, I've normally preferred to eat alone and have some time to myself in the day. If anyone asks I just explain that I'm quite introverted so really appreciate having a bit of downtime. You could say you're doing an online course or getting some exercise or something if you want to make an excuse but it's not unusual or antisocial to use your break as suits you.

The only thing is, I wouldn't let these two women put you off having a chat or being a bit more outgoing towards the others in the group, even if you'd prefer to give them a swerve.