People kept teasing me for being so quiet. I don't know what to do anymore
I am 29yo introvert and working abroad with the same company as my father for almost 5 years. I am doing good with my job. I enjoy quietness as peace and I don't mind people talking to me.
my father have coworker-friends (extroverts) who have same nationality as mine so we mostly stick and bond together during lunch/breaks
5 years ago, I am the youngest among the group and a quiet guy. I cannot relate to my coworkers discussion most of the time so I just kept nodding or laughing as I pretend to know about it. I tend to speak when spoken to.
My father encouraged me to talk with the coworkers to socialize so I tried following his advice.
There is this small circle of people who are ok with talking with me. So I always discuss about movies or games with them because those are my hobbies. I find it enjoyable
One day, one of the coworkers (out of the small circle) noticed that I kept discussing about this and told me this
"Is that the only thing you keep talking about?" and often teases me directly and indirectly about it in front of other coworkers. I know they just want to encourage me to talk other topics but it was so frustrating and I just left the group not wanting to get furious to them. It made me not wanting to talk to them anymore
In every yearly employee performance, my manager (other nationality) always bring up my social skills to improve and talk with other people. I just agreed with it but I didn't do his advise due to what happened 5 years ago
Each year, even my own manager and his coworker friends sometimes talks directly and indirectly behind my back and teases me for being quiet without being aware that I heard them
People asked me "why are you quiet?" sometimes and I just answer in a friendly manner.
I also experienced other coworker who spoke to me if I like a specific topic/thing and 10 seconds later, when I told him my answer that I disagree in a friendly way, he uttered a disappointed tone, felt disinterested and just clicked his tongue and left. Like why even bother having conversation with me?
Even my small circle of coworker-friends who were comfortable talking to me told me behind my back that I am living in my own world
I don't know what to do anymore. I just don't want to speak with people unless if I wanted or needed to.
I want to scream to them on whats their problem about me each time they brought it up. I don't even mock, tease or even looking down at them. I just wanted a peaceful environment and want to be in good terms with everyone. But if I did that, it may hinder my job performance and how people see me in work.
Anyone experiencing like this? Sorry for the long message