Friends Or Coworkers?

Can you be both?

By Elana Pruitt

      You spend nearly every waking moment with the same people – yes folks, we're talking about (drum roll please): c-o-w-o-r-k-e-r-s.

If you're one of the lucky ones like myself, your mornings are a little brighter knowing that you can vent about your ridiculous addiction to "Laguna Beach" episodes over cubicle walls. Also, if you are like me, you value the 8-to-5er friendships that have formed amongst office confines. After all, there's nothing like lunching with people you can laugh with, chow down with, and overall, let loose in an hour-long gabfest.

But how does one manage to maintain a close friendship and equally, a professional relationship with a coworker? Well, if you're also like me, you are doing your best to avoid blurring the line. Here are a few things you might want to consider when clocking in and out for the day:

Make it a memorable morning for all – There is something about the first half hour of work. Everything that happens in that time seems to shape our overall feeling for the day. So put on your friendly cap on, throw "favoritism" out the door, and help make someone else's first 30 minutes a memorable morning with a simple "hello" or "good morning."

Get to know those around you – Ever work next to someone who you've never actually talked to and then run into them elsewhere and you barely recognize them? Well, that hasn't happened to me either, but I would feel horrible if it did. So acknowledge those around you, and who knows, that may contribute to your own overall happiness for the day.

Keep "happy hour" few-and-far-between – This is really about knowing your limits. After an extra long day at work, and possibly even a stress headache to follow, the desire to relax with a martini and chat with your coworkers as chummy friends can have wonderful intentions. However, what if you have a few too many of those Appletinis and wish to relieve your stress a bit too loudly and explicitly? Well, this means you may be the talk of the office the following day at work. Do you want the coworkers who were not invited to happy hour to learn every detail of your dirty laundry?

Utilize e-mail to maintain close friendships – Of course, you have the right to be friends with anyone you'd like! But when it comes to working in the office, some people connect better than others. And while it is important to maintain professional e-mail standards – sans derogatory comments – this is also a private form of communication, in which you can ask "Hey, are we still on for tonight?" Instead of discussing an outside social event out loud over cubicle walls, especially when only a select few are invited, e-mail is an option to explore further.

All work environments are unique, and for many people, it is practically impossible to not partake in jokes aloud, participate in hot gossip chatter, or dismiss the idea of smoke breaks with others who are craving their mid-day cigarette. But remember to keep things prioritized, in order to grow within a company and make a good name for yourself, one of the best things you can probably do to is to focus on yourself!