> A manager a level above my manager would rub his hands together and say things like "really looking forward to reading that shipped email!" whenever I told him about what I was working on.
That doesn't sound optional at all.
From my point of view, making things fun isn't fun. Watching a comedy routine is fun. Writing one isn't.
I agree with you - that said, it all depends on the situation. Good manager will present the same thing as almost mandatory to someone who is more extroverted, and as completely optional and not a big deal to someone who is not. Both of them will feel appreciated and will feel comfortable in the company, which is actually the whole idea. Some people need this kind of exposure, some don't. We just need to appreciate the fact that we are not all the same, and that we all need to have our own way to deal with the socializing rituals.
There are things you have to do for work, such as showcases. You can make them fun, or you can not. Yes, it dos not compare to a comedy routine or watching Airplane. That isn't really the point.
Agreed. This reminds me of office space when the waitress's has the appropriately listed amount of flair but is disparaged for not going above and beyond.
This is so absolutist. You must have a boring life. Sometimes it's about making things fun, sometimes it's about making fun things, and sometimes it's about both.
Driving a car is fun. Building a custom hotrod isn't.
Going to the museum is fun. Learning to paint isn't.
Playing a video game is fun. Writing a video game isn't.
That doesn't sound optional at all.
From my point of view, making things fun isn't fun. Watching a comedy routine is fun. Writing one isn't.