Is it me?

[Hueandcry]

Beginning to wonder if it is me that is the problem. Have had many and varied jobs but often find I don't really fit in with the office crowd. Currently in an office job with a group of women & I find the constant daily bitching exhausting. I feel like i have nothing in common with any of them. This is not the 1st time I've felt like this in a similar environment. What can I do in this situation? What I tend to do is withdraw which probably makes things worse. Is it me?

Maybe you shouldn't work in an office.
Or get a job in a more male dominated industry although they can be just as bad as the women you work with now.
I know what you mean x

I do think that the jobs I have had working with men have been better but I have been made redundant twice from that industry so reluctant to go back. Life is too short to be miserable at work

I’ve never worked with bitchy women! Workplaces can be soooo different from each other. I am in first month of new job and so amazed by how different the culture is fr old place! Sometimes you have to shop around! Start interviewing but think about the sorts of questions you might ask during an interview to try to understand what the culture is like before starting.

Well, none of us know, without knowing you in real life, but the fact you say you have had "many and varied jobs" then go on to say you often find you don't fit in does suggest it might be you, yes.

I've worked for many decades, and not come across this bitching.

Would it be possible for you to chip in with much more positive comments? To say "I Don't think it is very helpful to be talking about anyone in that way" and move on to a different topic ? To have a little think of some less controversial things to talk about each day?

Thanks for your ideas. I will try. I have lovely friends & lots of people I get on well with. I only seem to find this problem when I'm at work.