Post: #1

Alright so first off I'm not sure if this is supposed to go in the game section, but I don't know where else to put it.

Anyways, I wanted to try working a bit over the summer to get some experience, try it out and have something to put on my resume. I managed to find a job that takes in teenagers over the summer so that's where I'll be working the coming weeks.

So the way it's set up is they've hired a group of 4 teenagers, 2 guys and 2 girls, and we are supposed to do various tasks throughout the weeks we work there. Nothing really interesting. I have never worked or had a " job " before though so it's all kinda new to me but I kind of just learn as I go. Today was the first day I met the other 3 people I'm going to be working with and it was also the first day we actually got to work.

When I got there, the other 3 people who I'm going to work with over the summer had already arrived and had taken a seat at their table to listen to the morning meeting that everyone at that workplace had every morning. First thing I did as I came, I asked I missed anything or if I'm late. I tried to make some small talk, I asked where everyone goes to school & how old everyone is and stuff. Now keep in mind, when I got there they were completely quiet just looking at the table / their phones so I tried to fix the awkward mood by getting some conversation going. I did my best but I just couldn't get them talking. They seemed pretty nervous, as was I which is understandable but they just gave short answers to everything and to be honest some of the questions I asked were pretty bad but I thought it's better than having to spend the coming month in awkwardness 24/7. I wasn't really prepared though and I thought the rest of the group would be more willing to talk and join in on the conversation.

So anyways, what would you do in a situation like this? What's the optimal thing to do? How do you keep up conversation here? Like what would I ask or talk about? I want to just try and make the group more comfortable because it would kind of suck to spend all this time working together in just plain awkward silence.

Edit: I tried to delete this thread because I posted in the lifestyle section instead, but it says i don't have permission to do it

Post: #2

Something like this comes up a lot on this forum and it's hard to say without knowing what's going on in their nogs. Maybe it's your manner, your appearance, their anxiety, their depression etc.

My guess would be that they are inhibited and acclimitising to the new environment. If you continue being the most outgoing one, that's going to be remembered and you can establish yourself as high status in this environment. You could try getting out of the what their interests are and talking about them with [feigned] interest.

Post: #3

I've worked at a movie theater for awhile now, and I'll share with you some things that could help you out.

For one, you did a good thing starting conversations with the people there. This helps for when you work together, they are more likely to think, "Shit I don't know who to talk to. This guy talked to me before. I'll try talking to him again," and be more likely to talk to you. Just realize most of them feel nervous and uncomfortable, hence they whip out there phones as a safety net to run away from scary emotions. They're unsure of the work environment, how people there (including you) will react to them, they probably care about being liked and don't want to say something stupid or awkward because they think they'll become social outcasts, etc. If you keep talking to them, you'll find them opening up more as they get a handle on the work situation and know what to expect from you.

I'm not quite there myself, but it looks like what you're asking for is "how do I get these people to open up and talk?" Most of this just boils down to knowing how to carry a conversation. Keep in mind, even if you were excellent at holding a conversation and meeting new people, things could have ended up the same way.

I wouldn't think too much of it. They'll probably forget about the whole thing and be more chatty next time you see them.