Started a new job in an office a couple of weeks ago after wfh since last March and feeling a bit down/like a weirdo. I’m a bit of an introvert and forgot how draining the office can be. I really hate having to chat with colleagues about their weekends etc in the kitchen and while working/at lunch. I have friends I have things in common with outside work and can chat away happily with them/love going to pubs and things yet with colleagues I find it awkward and just can’t think of conversation topics. Everyone has been nice and welcoming and people tend to walk to the cafe/shop together at lunch. I’m grateful they include me but I’d really rather go by myself and eat outside alone (i managed to sneak away and do this the other day and it was lovely). It actually feels like a punishment almost that in my hour “off” unpaid I have to focus on making small talk. It doesn’t help that this is a temp job in a sector I’m not interested in and my colleagues are mainly older than me. I feel quite uncomfortable sharing details of my life and am really not interested in hearing about theirs (I do a fairly good job of coming across as friendly hopefully). Also, I find it really hard to focus on actually doing any work when people are chatting-I tend to be polite but not extend the conversation much when we are working and never start conversations while everyone is sat quietly. Someone remarked that I was being very quiet today and I’m hoping it didn’t come across as rude. I really miss working from home and hopefully will be able to do it a few days a week when I’m trained. Does everyone secretly feel like this or do most people enjoy making small talk with colleagues? I hated it in my last job too, and I was there for over a year but people tended to be less chatty, I had a couple of closer colleagues I’d chat to/occasionally go for a pub lunch (I wasn’t as relaxed as I am with friends though) but mainly kept myself to myself. Is this rude/odd?