How to be more playful in life and at work

[snipefield]

I've recently noticed that I have trouble expressing my true playful manner in situations when I meet a new person or at work.

I like to joke around with close friends. We are sarcastic, tease and play pranks on each other. All normal stuff that gets my energy flowing and gets me in a happy mood. However, I've noticed I have trouble replicating this dynamic with new people I meet, unless they are naturally more playful. With the people who aren't playful or are shy, I tend to communicate at their level. I have a hunch this is rooted in the fear of offending them or hurting their feelings, but I'm not sure.

The same thing happens at work. I'm so focused on doing a good job that I don't know how to introduce the element of playfulness. I would like to have more fun and even play some practical jokes at work.

Maybe it's just a matter of just doing it? Of course the stakes at work are higher, so there's not really an opportunity for calibration if the first prank I play turns out a bit extreme.

Thoughts about how to become more playful?

 

[windsofchange]

From personal experience and advice I've gotten from GC:

- Unless you work in an environment that is conducive to it, better not take the risk of shitting where you eat (especially if you doubt your ability to properly gauge and calibrate the amount of playfulness you're putting in).

When it comes to new people you meet (ie daygame), you have to push the envelope to know where the limits lie. You're still an unknown to them and you'll probably never see them again, so it's far less risky and its the only way you'll improve.

 

[snipefield]

Hey winds, thanks for the response. I'm actually asking about playfulness outside of the context of pickup. So there's no shit where you eat issue at work..... And outside of work is with people who I will meet again....

 

[windsofchange]

Hey winds, thanks for the response. I'm actually asking about playfulness outside of the context of pickup. So there's no shit where you eat issue at work..... And outside of work is with people who I will meet again....

Perhaps in this case, you should try a newbie assignment to just go out and meet random people and be playful with them. Get yourself accustomed to being playful with strangers?

I'd still be careful at work though.

 

[Lotus]

Snipefield.

There is no problem with being playful at work! I do it everyday and it makes life better. Most people take life way too seriously and a little playfulness takes you out of auto-pilot.

The state of our economy is that there are so many alternatives for every single product and service, so the easiest way to differentiate yourself from the competition is by providing the best level of customer service because I guarantee your competition isn't.

We hide behind our technology so much that a little fun and playfulness in the workplace goes a long way to improving the customers overall experience. Additionally you are going to enjoy it.

My bet is that you arent playful with strangers out of fear of rejection, which is exactly like picking up girls. Once you realize the world doesnt end its no big deal. I say random shit in front of customers all the time and 25 percent of the time they look at me like I'm crazy the other 75 love it.

Lotus

 

[snipefield]

Thanks Lotus, yes it is fear of rejection - or in this case it's something a little bit more serious, because unlike pickup I will see these people over and over again....

I'm not in a customer-facing role, but I still see your point. My concern is uncalibration - hurting people's feelings. By nature, I'm a bit blunt and over the top, and I've learned to tone that down due to prior bad experiences where I blurted things out without thinking through them properly.

 

[Lotus]

Of course, not everyone is in a customer facing role at work, but I'm glad you got it.

My concern is uncalibration - hurting people's feelings. By nature, I'm a bit blunt and over the top, and I've learned to tone that down due to prior bad experiences where I blurted things out without thinking through them properly.

Remember balance teasing other people with self-deprecation. When you tease yourself as much as you tease other people their feelings are less likely to get hurt.

Each time you tease you lower their value. Combine that with your own self-deprecation and your jokes and comments will be taken less seriously.

-Lotus