You can choose your friends, but not your work colleagues or classmates. That makes it all the more important to learn to get along with the people you have around you every day. Colleagues don't necessarily have to become friends; often it's even better to keep them out of your private life. Nevertheless, you must learn to be friendly with them so that everyday life at work or school does not become a horror.
When you arrive in the morning, greet everyone with a friendly smile. It will not be well received if you sneak into your desk with your shoulders slumped and dive straight into your work. No one can blame colleagues for ignoring you or even avoiding you if you don't pay attention to them. Show your colleagues that you are friendly towards them. A friendly face and small courtesies work wonders.
Even if small talk is not your thing, show a little interest in the people around you. Ask them about their hobbies and their taste in music if a conversation arises. Honest interest in other people makes them more familiar with you.
Don't exclude yourself from every joint activity. You don't have to live your life according to your colleagues, just attend a jointly organised meeting once in a while.
Some people like to tease others. As long as the jokes made at your expense are not malicious, go along with them. Show your colleagues that you can take a joke.
Everyone likes to be asked for their opinion, it strokes their ego. So don't act like you know everything better than the others, but ask for their input from time to time.
If you want to make yourself unpopular, blasphemy is the way to go. But you certainly don't like it when people talk about you behind your back, so don't do that to them either. If someone approaches you with a gossip about a colleague, don't go for it, they will find someone else.
If you're dealing with a particularly annoying colleague at work, don't let them get to you. Imagine if your children were watching, you would have to set a good example because you want them to have good manners.
