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The Hidden Stress of After-Work Socializing

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The Hidden Stress of After-Work Socializing
Exercise 1

Vocabulary

Repeat each word, definition, and example sentence after your tutor.
unwindVerbˌʌnˈwaɪnd
to relax
Watching TV helps me unwind after a long day at work.
outgoingAdjectiveˈaʊtˌgoʊɪŋ
friendly and confident in social situations
Sam has an outgoing personality, so he had no trouble fitting in with his new colleagues.
personalityNounˌpɜrsəˈnælɪti
the traits and qualities that determine how a person or animal behaves
This photograph captures his personality perfectly.
pressureVerbˈpreʃər
to try to persuade or force someone into doing something
Our teacher never pressures us to join in with class discussions unless we want to.
traditionNountrəˈdɪʃən
a belief, activity, or way of doing things that has existed among a particular group for a long time
We have a little tradition of exchanging gifts on the anniversary of the day we met.
etiquetteNounˈetɪket, ˈetɪkət
the rules of correct or polite behavior in a culture or among members of a particular group
It's bad etiquette to talk on the phone on public transport in Japan.
Exercise 2

Article

Read the article aloud on your own or repeat each paragraph after your tutor.The Hidden Stress of After-Work Socializing
Going out for drinks with coworkers might seem like a fun way to unwind. It can help people talk more and become closer, or it can just be a great way to relax after a long day's work. But a new study shows that not everyone enjoys being invited to these kinds of social events — and for some, it can be stressful. Researchers from the University of Georgia asked workers in the US and Taiwan how they felt when a coworker invited them to do something social, like get drinks or go to dinner after work. Some people said they felt happy and thankful. These people usually had a more outgoing and confident personality. But people who said they weren't as socially confident felt stressed or worried — even if they said no to the invite. Just getting the invitation made some people feel pressured, because they didn't want to upset their coworkers by saying no. They also worried about how long the event would last or what it would be like, which caused them stress. Some were even less focused during their workday because of this stress. This is especially important in countries like Japan, where drinking with coworkers after work has been a tradition for many years. These events come with their own kind of etiquette, which can be stressful for Japanese workers who are less socially confident. For example, workers are expected to pour drinks for others but not for themselves. It's also common to stay until the end of the event, even if you feel tired. While some enjoy these customs, a recent report from the Nippon Foundation showed that fewer Japanese companies are holding these events now, and more workers are starting to ask if they are really necessary. Going out with coworkers might help some people feel more connected, but it's not a perfect fit for everyone — and that's OK.
Exercise 3

Discussion

Have a discussion based on the following questions.
  1. What are your thoughts on the study's findings?
  2. Are after-work drinks common at your workplace? How often do you join?
  3. Have you ever felt pressured to attend a work-related social event?
  4. How often does your company organize social events?
  5. What sorts of team-building activities do you enjoy most?
Exercise 4

Further Discussion

Have a discussion based on the following questions.
  1. Do you usually go straight home after you finish work?
  2. Who are the most outgoing people at your workplace?
  3. Are you good friends with any of your coworkers?
  4. Have you ever worked with someone you didn't get along with?
  5. Are there more introverts or extroverts on your team?
SourceThis article is based on an article by Stefan Stojković.