Best way to ingratiate yourself with unfriendly development manager & architect

[lukemg]

WHS, keep your head down, no-one is interested in your life story. Especially in an office like this where they just get on with it. If people engage you in conversation then fine be friendly and chatty, otherwise work on contribution while they work you out and you work them out, dynamics, team roles etc.
After a while contracting, you can read an office like Sherlock, bits of conversation, how different people talk to each other, and to you.
Week or so in and you know exactly how to pitch it, like on a first date, be yourself but a very good version....

[Mich the Tester]

See my avatar.

[Kanye]

My last few contracts have been like that. People are generally quite miserable and bordering on hostile in some places.

I don't think it's necessarily to do with us being contractors. I think with the 'recession' and industry trends around outsourcing and cost cutting there are just a lot more jaded people in the IT industry. I know because I am one of them!

[minestrone]

I might suggest some pole choking.

[suityou01]

I might suggest some pole choking.

Not allowed to any more.

[tarbera]

aaaaaaaaaaaaah Didums

Started a new gig. Interviewed and hired by development manager and "architect" (and one of the developers).

First day. Dev manager and "architect" are spectacularly unfriendly to the point of rudeness. I am a seasoned contractor - but not having the decency to say goodnight to the new guy when leaving (particularly when said new guy is sitting beside the door) is rude IMO. And I have been conversational and friendly to everyone throughout the day (even when not reciprocated).

Frankly I smell a little buyers' remorse because I completely aced the interview, played hardball on the rate. And then the first day happens and yes, I am a mere mortal.

Any advice?

PS: can someone explain the difference between a development manager and product manager (or project manager)? Are there any connotations with the title "development manager" (i.e. what development "school of thought" does it come from?). I haven't heard of anyone using the title before.

Bad boys did not say goodnight - ahhh didums, no one cared you fell over and hurt your knee - ahhh didums, no one cares what your having for your dinner - ahhh didums.

[eek]

Bad boys did not say goodnight - ahhh didums, no one cared you fell over and hurt your knee - ahhh didums, no one cares what your having for your dinner - ahhh didums.

As I'm drumming into the eek jrs ready for when they hit the real world.

Life's unfair. Live with it...

[Bellona]

See my avatar.

WHS

Plus just carry on being polite and Proffessional, it's only day 1!

My last gig, I always said goodnight when leaving and no-one ever responded, or said good morning when they, or I arrived, it was just how they were.

As a "seasoned contractor" this should be water off a ducks back : my worst gig entailed a senior manager sitting in meeting and asking why "the #!*?ing contractor was sat in a meeting when she should be earning her extortionate fee instead of sitting on her backside" - now that's hostile

You are there to do a job, not make friends, just do a good job and treat others how you would like to be treated - hopefully over the next few days people will get to know who you are and civility will ensue.

Good luck with the new gig btw

[Kanye]

WHS
My last gig, I always said goodnight when leaving and no-one ever responded, or said good morning when they, or I arrived, it was just how they were.

That kind of thing really depresses me though.

Does it mean I am not cut out to be a contractor if I don't expect a bit of civility/fun/banter/interaction during the 50 hours a week I spend at work?

[Bellona]

That kind of thing really depresses me though.

Does it mean I am not cut out to be a contractor if I don't expect a bit of civility/fun/banter/interaction during the 50 hours a week I spend at work?

I had some banter during the day with some groups, the "good morning, goodnight" thing was, I think, because it was a contractor heavy client, and a lot of them didn't draw attention to their arrival/leave times so didn't acknowledge others - strange, but didn't stop me being polite.

I agree that an interactive/ friendly environment is preferable, but, like I said, it was his/her 1st day, no reason to think it won't get better ...