"Workshops"/Away days - do you hate them?

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I was diagnosed with HFA a year ago, in my mid forties. I'm in a regular maths/computer based job, and probably come across as NT/shy to most people. One thing I really can't stand is company away days, where you get stuck in a room with 12 other people putting post-it notes on walls with ideas of improvements, etc. These are my reasons:

A) I can't stand trying to think of something genuinely interesting/original to say, as opposed to the c***p routinely trotted out. After I've been silent for 40 minutes it gets even more stressful because I feel that because I've said nothing, anything I do say "better be good"

B) I find the timing of when to try and throw an idea in very difficult. Someone always seems to dominate the conversation, and whe I finally do say something, it doesn't seem to catch on in the same way as other people's suggestions.

C) I find the whole thing at the end where people say "that was really useful, I got a lot out of that discussion" complete baloney. While I recognise that internally they might feel the same as me and simply "play the game", I suspect that in fact many of them do like it. That whole conformity thing to the group makes me feel very rebellious but, ultimately, a little depressed.

What do other people think?

Bingo spagettio - my boss knows I hate meetings especially the whole management "let's improve things" meetings. In late September every year I have to go away for a WEEK-LONG management getaway. I take along extra Tylenol for all the head pounding headaches I get from the meetings. I hide in my room and avoid the evening 'social functions' to the extent I can.

So, yes - I feel excactly the same about the topic as you do.

Week long! That sounds bad. At our last 'team building' afternoon, earlier this week, someone suggested that the next one - in a fortnight's time should finish with a 'social event' in the evening, where we could get to know each other better over a few drinks. I'm busy working on my excuse...

Definitely see them as a complete waste of time. Did one on quality leadership when asked what was the best thing in the course I said building the mechanical helicopter, apparently the exercise wasn't about building the helicopter, it was about working in a team, when asked who our favourite leader was I said myself as I don't need people telling me what to do, wrong answer again!!

See those job ads where they say they want a team player and ability to work independently - well what do you want!