Wine, Colleagues and a Fire

Work is a big part of our social lifes. Many social studies have told us that people without a job feel left out, some sort of loser, or at least acknowledge that some part of their life is missing. In the one year I've been working at a restaurant, I've never felt the need to socialize with my colleagues. They were all nice people to work with. All very kind and that opinion of them hasn't really changed.

However, tonight was one of those nights I didn't really feel the need to go home right away after work. There was no one waiting for me there and no one would be 'online' to talk to. So when one of my co-workers asked whether I'd go for a drink with the other colleagues I thought, 'what the heck, why not?!' And it turned out to be the best decision for tonight. Bottles of rosé and white wine were opened and some of the girls I work with were already quite tipsy (negative effect of alcohol on an empty stomach and a tired body). Which reasulted into giving the local McDonalds a run for their money. Everyone was simply attacking the horrid food - complaining every minute how gross the food was, but admitting that it tasted delicious cause they were so hungry.
Because we were no longer on duty, the questions asked were a lot more personal and everyone was laughing a hell of a lot harder when someone said something stupid (again, alcohol on an empty stomach) or if someone just felt the need to share a dream they'd had a couple of day ago (green hands, rings and a tiny small office with loads of paperwork). Because it was my first time to have a drink after work, with the rest of them, they all noticed it and I was, of course, a small target for interrogation. But happily for me, they started off with the wrong question and everyone else had stories to share, too, about their love life.

Tonight I've seen my co-workers in a different light, much more relaxed and that might lead to friendships. If not, I could most definitly say I had a lot of fun talking, laughing and enjoying the fire and beautiful sunset into the Noorderplassen with them. Socializing, we do it all the time and we cannot live without the companionship of others, telling us we are wanted and loved. Work is one big part of that.