About to start working at GS in Salt Lake City, which means a lot of my coworkers (obviously not all but a good number of them) are going to be Mormon. I've never met a Mormon in my life so I'm really unfamiliar with their customs, but people always mention they absolutely don't drink alcohol, coffee, or tea.
I'm always so used to hanging out over a drink at a bar and I always drink coffee or tea in the morning and throughout the day to stay focused. I'm kinda afraid now that I won't get along with them and they'll judge and look down on me.
Give an update in 6 - 12 months, I'd be curious to see how this turns out. With the amount I drink, I assume I would be absolutely shunned in Utah.
popped in for laughs. popping out disappointed
I'm sure they are pretty normal. I guess just don't ask anyone out for a drink, and wit until someone else asks you. I can't imagine that they would actually think any differently of you if you had a coffee at the office or anything like that. Great job getting into GS, by the way!
Well I'd imagine they wouldn't be that extreme considering they have a coffee machine in the lobby and a Starbucks down the street. But it's the possibility of them strictly not drinking alcohol that's on my mind. I don't drink much at all, but I'm very much used to grabbing a beer occasionally with coworkers after work hours to hang out.
It is true that traditionally, Mormons do not drink. In heavily Mormon areas, you will not be able to order an alcoholic beverage in a restaurant. Also, all beer sold in Utah is a lower percentage (3% I believe) due to state laws. This includes retail and draft beer. Liquor stores are also state owned.
Depending on the sect, some Mormons may drink coffee, others may not. It's just like any other religion. I have friends that are Mormon - they are really just like anyone else. Jewish people eat kosher food. Some Muslims also choose not to drink. Everyone is different. You will figure it out in due time.
Best of luck, congrats on getting into GS.
This isn't quite true, although it is a common misconception. There are not different "sects" within Mormonism. There is only one "Mormon" church (Mormons being a nickname for members as the real name of the church is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints), with one set of leadership. There are however a few very small random congregations that claim the same roots as the LDS church, however they have zero actual affiliation.
Utah... so depressing
This is the 2015 version of Equities in Dallas, except worse
LOL I can personally confirm that restaurants in Utah serve normal beer. There are places around Park City/SLC(the areas I've been) that serve craft beers with higher alcohol percentages like any other state.
I dated a 7th Day Adventist for about a year. They aren't supposed to drink either. She did, and was pretty cool overall(didn't seem to worry too much about the no sex stuff either).
I would think there are some cool Mormons too.
I have a few friends at GS SLC. I'd say it's about half Mormon/half not at that office.
Speaking from experience, most Mormons you'd meet in the finance/business world these days are on the more secular side. This might mean they drink coffee and tea, or that they will just be your designated driver and have no trouble with others drinking. Most Mormons you'd come in contact with regularly will be decently cool, though there will always be the preachy douches like there are in any religion.
A final note is that I have never personally seen someone who considers themselves an active Mormon drink. I'm not sure what line divides alcohol from coffee and tea, but there does seem to be one.
Salt Lake City is less than half Mormon these days, and I am sure there will be plenty of people who socialize as you do. There will also be Mormons who, for the most part, don't drink, but usually don't care if others do. Don't expect them to go to the bar with you, but they won't look down on you for drinking, either.
Active Mormons usually don't drink coffee or alcohol, as it is specifically prohibited in their doctrine, although some do. As with any religion, there are varying degrees of devotion to the faith.
As mentioned above, there are no Mormon "sects". There is one Mormon church (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints), and a few random groups that have a common history, but are definitely not part of the church.
I think you will be quite pleased with the local activities in SLC. There are so many other things to do (Skiing, biking, hiking, boating, hot springs, etc) that not going out for a drink every day won't be a problem unless you really don't like to go outside.
Well see that's the thing: Those activities (Skiing, biking, hiking, etc.), which I am psyched for btw, take time and generally should be planned ahead and usually on a weekend. Realistically, when you're working at a company like GS, especially in the early years, time is not a luxury. The thing about grabbing a drink at a bar is that it's a quick and easy way to get acquainted and hang out that doesn't require planning, and probably a relief after 10-12 hours of work. I'm not concerned that I won't have opportunities to hang out with my coworkers outside of work, but rather opportunities that don't need prior planning and doesn't take an entire day.
This sorta reminds me of Eli's church in TWBB, Church of the Third Revelation. They seemed like some reasonable people...
Speaking directly about GS CRMA (which if I remember correctly is what you are going into), you will rarely work more than 50 hours a week. You'll have time to do whatever you want.
@"WallStreetOasis.com" are there any plans to come out with guides on interacting with different religious peoples?
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