Every day around noon, a group of five or six people gather in the break room at my company to chat over lunch. They get so boisterous that you can often hear them shouting over each other from the hallway! I've noticed that I hardly ever see these people alone in the building, no matter the day, time, or place. A similar dynamic plays out in my own department, where people do everything from grab coffee to walk to the bathroom together. (I kid you not!) I understand the value of building relationships at work and elsewhere, but these people take it to a whole new level. I think many people have been conditioned by society to believe that unless they do all or most things in pairs or groups, they're weirdos. Many people have a strong longing to be part of a group, and to them, the thought of flying solo is utterly terrifying. Yes, social relationships -- or, connections, as we like to call them -- do help people land jobs, get promotions, and receive other perks. ...

Have you noticed how some people would rather stay home than have to go anywhere by themselves? To them, the thought of flying solo to catch a movie, eat at McDonald's, or amble around the park seems almost alien. But studies I read about just yesterday reveal that we often underestimate the level of enjoyment we would get out of doing things by ourselves versus with other people. Perhaps it's understandable that you wouldn't want to, say, visit a luxurious restaurant or go on a trip to Walt Disney World all by your lonesome. But what's really the harm in enjoying a little "me" time at the library, gym, or store? In an earlier post this year, I mentioned that this phenomenon often plays out at work. Three of my co-workers will not mosey over to the cafeteria to grab coffee until they're all present. If one of them isn't coming into the office that day, the other two will try to get someone else to fill his or her place. I'm not sure when ...