Getting to know my work buddies better often led to invaluable advice, not just about work but also about life, places to go, things to do, and movies to watch — the list is endless.
As someone who started their “city work life” over 25 years ago, attending after-work drinks was almost expected.
Being new to this environment at the age of 22, you just went along with it. I quickly realised it was a good way to let off steam after a busy day — not necessarily just with alcohol, but by venting to colleagues (usually about other colleagues), discussing challenges at work, sharing advice, and speaking to seniors and others whom you would rarely acknowledge beyond a passing glance or a name looped into an email!
As the years went on, I enjoyed the after-work socialising. If anything, it strengthened my commitment to my job and company because I genuinely liked my co-workers. I looked forward to “Friday beers” (which eventually got labelled as “Thursday is the new Friday” and, for many, just meant twice a week!). Getting to know my work buddies better often led to invaluable advice, not just about work but also about life, places to go, things to do, and films to watch — the list is endless. Key business decisions often stemmed from an innocuous conversation with a beer in hand — who got hired, promoted, let go, etc.
For years, this was the norm. I would conduct many of my meetings in the pub and build great relationships, and business thrived partly due to this. I enjoyed wearing a suit and treating myself to a new one every six months or so, and we even had days where we’d all wear a specific colour shirt (like “Pink Shirt Thursday”). I’d arrive at work on a Monday morning, and people would notice my new tie! It made me feel part of the team and accepted.
Hold on… I met my wife at work. How many relationships were created pre-COVID? It’s fair to say far more then than in today’s society. No wonder there are more dating apps than ever!
When life changes, change with it.
If you do something long enough, it becomes a habit, the new norm.
For those who started working just four years ago, they won’t truly understand the way I and many others began our city life. I haven’t worn a suit to work for over four years. I have a drawer full of awesome ties and cufflinks gathering dust. I sometimes look at them, chuckle, reminisce, and ultimately feel a tad sad. I struggled with letting go and adapting to the changes, as I’m sure many did. But we had to.
Bars are now getting busier, but more so on Thursdays, which is great to see. However, as people have pointed out, it’s expensive to go out (typically £7.80 a pint!). Workers commute from further afield because most have to live outside of London, and above all, people have gotten used to not commuting and socializing, as it has become the new norm.
Don’t get me wrong — I still go out, usually on a Thursday, but typically with a group of similar people in the area (other “old sods”), maybe once or twice a month. I always take the tube home afterward! As we slowly came out of COVID, I had to fill my evening voids, which is how my girls’ football club started. It now consumes much of my time!
Maybe, like vinyl, it will make a comeback in the years to come. I’ll hang on to my quirky ties just in case!
We have to find the positives in all situations. We may not see them at the time, but they will soon become clear, and we will become grateful.
-Vas
