Making friends as an adult
By Aparna Sen
@Dreamerby (9033)
Calcutta, India
September 12, 2025 11:11pm CST
Now that I have entered the workspace, I realize how difficul it is to make friends. At first, when you meet people, they talk, you start growing expectations and that is where you go wrong. The next time you call them up for meeting up or just accompanying you, they are nowhere to be found.
Eventually, you learn to go to the cafeteria alone, having your lunch alone, going to after-office movies alone and so on. You learn to enjoy the aspects of life alone.
I think I won't ever make a friend in my office. They will forever stay as colleagues.
10 people like this
11 responses
@DaddyEvil (159480)
• United States
11h
I don't know about things in India but in the US, I did make friends at the various jobs I had over my lifetime... Some stick around and you can depend on them and others don't. It just depends on what type of person they are and how well you retain friends.
A lot of people prefer to remain only colleagues and depend on friends they made before they started working. I never understood that mindset. *shrug*
I hope you make some friends. Being alone all the time isn't healthy for you.
1 person likes this
@Kusumakrishna (528)
•
12h
I also felt this.friendships require shared interests and trust, which is often lacking in a professional setting where relationships are transactional and professional boundaries are necessary. Workplace dynamics, competition for promotions, different goals, high job turnover, and the potential for career-damaging conflicts create significant barriers to forming deep, genuine friendships with colleagues.
What I feel personally is, there is no need to be friends.atleast They should not any harm leaving all ethics . Thats enough for me



1 person likes this
@mayka123 (17049)
• India
6h
I really understand what you mean. Making friends at work can be very different from making friends in school or college. At first, people seem friendly because you’re new, and you naturally hope those connections will grow. But then you realise for many, the bond doesn’t go beyond the office walls. It can feel disappointing when your invitations don’t get the same energy back.
Over time though, learning to do things alone can actually feel freeing. Going to lunch, movies, or even just enjoying your own company means you’re not relying on others for your happiness. It takes a bit of adjustment, but it also makes you stronger and more comfortable in your own skin.
It doesn’t mean you’ll never find a true friend at work. Sometimes the best connections take time to develop, and they might appear when you least expect it. Even if most remain just colleagues, there’s still value in the teamwork and the casual chats. And outside of work, you can still nurture deeper friendships.
@PinkFloydFan (1153)
• United States
Just now
The last friend I made was 14 years ago from work, but he's not much of a friend, so I block him, sending his calls to voice-mail and call when I feel like it, which was today, to talk about recent deaths from our favorite bands - Rick Davies of Supertramp and Ozzy Osbourne from Black Sabbath. He's flaked out so much, just a user, and I've made it clear I have no interest in talking about anything besides music we like. I had to block my childhood friend because I have no interest in hearing about his girlfriend and didn't like him asking personal questions about my family...
I will never hang out with any of them, and I'm an inch away from being done with the music friend.
@RebeccasFarm (95935)
• Arvada, Colorado
3h
Oh you have tried and this is how they behave? I am sorry to know this.
I will come have coffee with you friend.

@annierose (21623)
• Philippines
8h
It can be tough making real friends at work. At first people seem open, but then you realize most just keep it at the “colleague” level. It feels a bit lonely, but like you said, you eventually learn to enjoy doing things on your own. That’s actually a great strength, being able to value your own company. And who knows, sometimes the best friendships show up when you least expect them.
Do you still hope to find at least one real friend at work?

@luisadannointed (8562)
• Philippines
10h
When people are getting old, they tend to spend their time alone or with their families, unlike the younger ones who loves to explore the world with friends. Almost most of my friends are married the only time to get together is through messenger, hehehehe they are so busy building their homes and take care of their spouse and kids.
@wolfgirl569 (122234)
• Marion, Ohio
6h
I made friends at work but they were different from friends I made elsewhere.
@Fleura (32551)
• United Kingdom
11h
Making friends as an adult is actually much more difficult than expected. If you move to a new location to live or to a new job, then of course most of the people there already have their friends and are not really looking to make new friends as their lives are already busy.
I hope you have other friends outside of work. If not, then it is often easier to make friends through hobbies, then at least you have interests in common.
@LindaOHio (200520)
• United States
9h
I worked at my last job for 15 years. I didn't take away one friend since I was a manager. I think they were nice to me just because of my position.
