I haven't been in an office since 2020, but the 15 years prior that I spent numerous offices taught me that much of corporate life is spent dealing with office politics instead of accomplishing anything meaningful.

Those "water cooler conversations" that executives are so keen on are mostly spent shootin' the breeze or complaining about how Bob from marketing is a fucking moron.

Turns out when people step out for a break or head to the water cooler, they don't want to talk about work. Shocking, I know.

[–] Aviandelight@mander.xyz 3 points 4 days ago

I never had any productive water-cooler conversations but I have had many eye-opening and productive smoke breaks with colleagues when that was a thing. The smoking area was the great equalizer that these companies are waxing nostalgic about.