Making friends with your roommates and coworkers

[Cicero10]

Holy crap I haven't posted in a long time haha :D


I'm still ever so excited to do the program when I can, but I have a few questions about roommates.

But first let me say this.

Growing up and still today (junior year in HS) I have never made friends easily. When I was a kid, I had maybe 3-4 friends. Now, I have 2-3 friends, but friends who are very close to me. I'm wanting to participate in the culinary program for many reasons, such as to gain experience in the kitchen, meet new people and to make friends. But I'm worried that I will do something stupid to make my roommates dislike me, and I have a little anxiety thinking about having roommates. I know that few people actually become friends with their roommates. But I was wondering if most of the roommates you've had are easy to talk to, nice, and friendly? What could I do to become friends with my roommates? Cause by the time I go I'd be 20 years old, in a completely new state, and actually, a completely new (to me) part of the country and I'd know no one. My other question pertains to coworkers, how did you become friends with your coworkers? I come from a small town (which is by a big city), so I've never really met anyone new that are peers because I went with all my classmates to school since kindergarten.


Summary (Incase you don't wanna read all that)

What can I do to become friends with both coworkers and roommates when I'm so shy and I come from a small town? What could I do to put my best foot forward when I first meet both coworkers and roommates?

[SyracuseWolvrine]

Unfortunately, there's no guaranteed way to make people be friends with you. Just be yourself, don't try to change yourself to be someone who you aren't, and don't try to make other folks change to adapt to you.

Most people on the CP are in a new state, and a new part of the country. Talk to people. When you're in line for check in, etc, it's a great time to talk to the people near you in line. Ask where people are from, what they're studying, what their favorite Disney ride is, etc. And be genuinely interested in the responses. Try and find things that you can relate to.

Food can be a nearly universal ice-breaker. For example, if you bake cookies, ask your roommates if they'd like some. Or maybe put some on a plate or a bag and take them to the apartment next to you. "I just baked these, and there's no way I'm going to eat them all myself, so do you want some?" Or, if you want pizza, ask around the apartment if anyone wants to split the cost (and of course, the pizza) with you. Try to go out to dinner with your roommates within the first night or two.

And, of course, go to the parks. I went to see Illuminations with my roommates the first night we all had our IDs. Due to our schedules, we didn't really go to the parks together often, but it's still a nice way to get to know people, especially your roommates, and especially at the start of the program.

[Cicero10]

Originally Posted by SyracuseWolvrine

Unfortunately, there's no guaranteed way to make people be friends with you. Just be yourself, don't try to change yourself to be someone who you aren't, and don't try to make other folks change to adapt to you.

Most people on the CP are in a new state, and a new part of the country. Talk to people. When you're in line for check in, etc, it's a great time to talk to the people near you in line. Ask where people are from, what they're studying, what their favorite Disney ride is, etc. And be genuinely interested in the responses. Try and find things that you can relate to.

Food can be a nearly universal ice-breaker. For example, if you bake cookies, ask your roommates if they'd like some. Or maybe put some on a plate or a bag and take them to the apartment next to you. "I just baked these, and there's no way I'm going to eat them all myself, so do you want some?" Or, if you want pizza, ask around the apartment if anyone wants to split the cost (and of course, the pizza) with you. Try to go out to dinner with your roommates within the first night or two.

And, of course, go to the parks. I went to see Illuminations with my roommates the first night we all had our IDs. Due to our schedules, we didn't really go to the parks together often, but it's still a nice way to get to know people, especially your roommates, and especially at the start of the program.

It won't be weird randomly talking to someone else in line?

[leeg229]

Originally Posted by Cicero10

It won't be weird randomly talking to someone else in line?

Well, let me put it this way. With how early everyone gets there, you might be waiting a few hours in dead silence if you don't talk to other people in line.

[SyracuseWolvrine]

Originally Posted by Cicero10

It won't be weird randomly talking to someone else in line?

Do you have anything better to do when you're waiting in line to fill out paperwork? Put the phone away and use the time to meet people.

[Cicero10]

Originally Posted by SyracuseWolvrine

Do you have anything better to do when you're waiting in line to fill out paperwork? Put the phone away and use the time to meet people.

Alright I was just wondering, I wouldn't wanna look strange talking to a random person lol

[SyracuseWolvrine]

Originally Posted by Cicero10

Alright I was just wondering, I wouldn't wanna look strange talking to a random person lol

A lot of things that seem strange in the "real" world are perfectly acceptable at Disney World. Talking to people you don't know is one of them.

"If you come in here a stranger, you will exit as a friend."

[eadavis]

Alright I was just wondering, I wouldn't wanna look strange talking to a random person lol

Believe me, you won't. On the busier arrival days, as many as 800-1,000 18-24 (and some older) year olds are checking in for their College Program. Everyone is excited, most are nervous, and most people won't know anyone around them. You all have that in common, the line for check in is long, and talking with people is the best way to pass the time.

I'll admit, I didn't see anyone that I was in line with for the rest of my program, but it was really cool to meet people from all over the country and world and make small talk.

[KevC]

Originally Posted by Cicero10

Holy crap I haven't posted in a long time haha :D


I'm still ever so excited to do the program when I can, but I have a few questions about roommates.

But first let me say this.

Growing up and still today (junior year in HS) I have never made friends easily. When I was a kid, I had maybe 3-4 friends. Now, I have 2-3 friends, but friends who are very close to me. I'm wanting to participate in the culinary program for many reasons, such as to gain experience in the kitchen, meet new people and to make friends. But I'm worried that I will do something stupid to make my roommates dislike me, and I have a little anxiety thinking about having roommates. I know that few people actually become friends with their roommates. But I was wondering if most of the roommates you've had are easy to talk to, nice, and friendly? What could I do to become friends with my roommates? Cause by the time I go I'd be 20 years old, in a completely new state, and actually, a completely new (to me) part of the country and I'd know no one. My other question pertains to coworkers, how did you become friends with your coworkers? I come from a small town (which is by a big city), so I've never really met anyone new that are peers because I went with all my classmates to school since kindergarten.


Summary (Incase you don't wanna read all that)

What can I do to become friends with both coworkers and roommates when I'm so shy and I come from a small town? What could I do to put my best foot forward when I first meet both coworkers and roommates?

I totally understand, I feel exactly same way. I'm going down in August and I am already a bit nervous/anxious.

[Cicero10]

Originally Posted by eadavis

Believe me, you won't. On the busier arrival days, as many as 800-1,000 18-24 (and some older) year olds are checking in for their College Program. Everyone is excited, most are nervous, and most people won't know anyone around them. You all have that in common, the line for check in is long, and talking with people is the best way to pass the time.

I'll admit, I didn't see anyone that I was in line with for the rest of my program, but it was really cool to meet people from all over the country and world and make small talk.

Wow that's a lot!

[Cicero10]

Originally Posted by SyracuseWolvrine

A lot of things that seem strange in the "real" world are perfectly acceptable at Disney World. Talking to people you don't know is one of them.

"If you come in here a stranger, you will exit as a friend."

What are some other real world strange stuff, Disney world acceptable stuff? I really like that motto haha

[SyracuseWolvrine]

Originally Posted by Cicero10

What are some other real world strange stuff, Disney world acceptable stuff? I really like that motto haha

Well, for one, calling every little girl that walks past you "Princess" is generally frowned upon in the real world.

The motto was actually borrowed from The Adventurer's Club, which used to be one of the clubs at Pleasure Island. It's the last line of the Club Creed, which was typically repeated at least once a night, usually as part of the New Member Induction ceremony. (and is shown below in full)

Unfortunately, some executives believed that it would be a good idea to close down a one-of-a-kind entertainment venue that you could only find at Disney, and replace it with generic leased retail locations, and thus ended the Adventurer's Club, and the rest of Pleasure Island.

We climb the highest mountains,
just to get a better view.
We plumb the deepest oceans,
cause we're daring through and through.
We cross the scorching deserts,
martini in our hands.
We ski the polar ice caps,
in tuxedo looking grand.
We are reckless, brave, and loyal,
and valiant to the end.
If you come in here a stranger,
you will exit as a friend.

[HyperionDreamer]

Originally Posted by Cicero10

What are some other real world strange stuff, Disney world acceptable stuff? I really like that motto haha

That was one of the coolest things about the DCP for me, and something that I had trouble adjusting to back in college. Simply knowing the person you just met is a CP, or also works at Epcot, or lives in Chatham or whatever is often enough for instant friendship. It also seems like in general people were just friendlier and more conversational, probably due to the people they hire.

Didn't translate as well at home with strangers in my college Spanish class.

ME: "So how about that Spanish test huh!?" (friendly smile)

OTHER PEOPLE: *nods and polite muttering*