@jetcitywoman said:
Here's another thought. Yes, we are nearly all engineers. We're all socially-handicapped to varying degrees. Including me. I have huge difficulty figuring out how to approach people in a non-business situation - aka mingle at parties. After being painfully shy in elementary school, by high school I totally didn't know how to talk to people. I realized that and made an effort to teach myself. Generally when you want to learn something, you can find other people and learn by observation. What I've found is that other people are bad at it also.
Soon after I was hired, the company hosted an "ice cream social" in the conference room. While I saw a few people I'd met previously, everybody seemed to be talking shop about their projects that I wasn't involved in. It was awkward. Finally I found the project manager who I knew best. He was also talking shop, but he was talking to another person I knew. I approached them and smiled. The PM looked up and said "Can I help you?". I was rather taken aback, I thought since it was a SOCIAL, that party manners would be in effect and they'd pull me into the conversation. No, they were still in work mode and I'd effectively intruded in their mini-meeting. I went to sit in a chair, literally along the wall with a few other people who found nobody to talk to. While I was there, I observed the room. It was all arranged in pairs and trios talking about the projects they were working on.
I know it's just what people have in common, therefore it's easier. But I don't go to any workplace "social" events anymore.
OMGosh, are you in my office? that sounds like our ice cream socials sometimes. =) It varies, and since the QA people are mixed in with us dev folx, sometimes it gets kinda silly when a little light-hearted jousting commences. But what is it with the people who think their convo in the middle of a party environment is private? Go back to your damn office (we mostly have offices, it rocks) and do that.
It is a bit different then what you describe though, because most people at least greet each other with a hi, or nod or whatever when passing in the halls.
Interesting stories...