Him: "do you enjoy your job?"

Me: "eh, it's alright. I don't hate it."

Him: "you should enjoy it"

Me: shrug "ok"

No need to really engage. No need to give a lot of details. If he pushes just kind of blow him off.

I sometimes get miffed by people that are more privileged than me telling me I should take it easy like them, when that is not an option for me. I remind myself that they just don't get it and move on.

I have a few friends at work where we've learned to trust each other over many years and many conversations. We enjoy each other's company and are comfortable joking and talking shit about the job and bosses.

Outside of that very small group I practice "gray rock" tactics with all of the rest of my coworkers, especially people in management. I just act as boring and uninteresting as possible, so they don't see me as any kind of threat and it greatly limits the "attack surface" they can use against me with others. Outside of my inner group of friends, my coworkers have almost zero knowledge about my family, my hobbies, my pets, anything at all.

This is not a good way to be if you are ambitious and want to climb the ladder. But if you just want to clock in, do your job, and clock out (like I do) then gray rock is the way to go.

Why is this bothering you so much?

The guy wants to enjoy his job. He might think it's important to be surrounded by motivated people enjoying their jobs. Maybe he's looking for identity in his work. Whatever he thinks....let him enjoy whatever his mindset is and let him be.

You have a different outlook and that's fine. Its a pretty important life skill to be able to adapt to the person you're interacting with. Everyone doesnt welcome varied opinions. You've made your position clear and he can't accept that. If he asks you if you enjoy your job again then just smile and say "yeah it's not bad", if he presses then change the topic or find a reason to excuse yourself from the conversation. Also, everyone should be wary of going around work saying "this is just a paycheck, I don't care", so caution is advised anyway. You don't have to lie, you can just keep some thoughts to yourself.

You think your thoughts. Let him think his thoughts. The different thoughts don't have to bother each other.

FWIW, if this kid is in his first real job, it is probably the first time anyone has told him it’s okay to hate your job. (Or at least, it love it.)

He may not be stupid, just being exposed to a new way of thinking he’s never heard. Of course he could be dumber than a box of rocks, too.

I think the question is easier to answer if you remove the specific reason this coworker is annoying.

How do you deal with someone who bothers you with annoying, unwanted conversation about job satisfaction? The same way you deal with someone who bothers you with annoying, unwanted conversation about CrossFit or astrology. You answer every question with some version of 'Huh, I don't really know. I'm really busy, though, so I can't talk. Have a good day.'

The whole careerism element seems largely immaterial.

I plan to keep my conversations with this person to a minimum and not disclosing personal information around him

Yeah, I think you’re right. It’s what I do.

How would you deal with such a character?

It’s at work so stay polite and professional. Keep your conversations work-related and positive (not overly cheery). Don’t say anything bad about anybody or anything. Basically, keep doing what you’re doing.

Who knows what this guy’s motivations are but it sounds like you’re pretty good at reading people. Good luck.

"I come to work to work, not talk about it unless it's relevant to a job I'm assigned."

BLUF: You don’t deal with this.

The maximum amount of interaction you have with this guy should be the minimum amount the job requires.

Why do you feel a need to be honest about this, with this guy? WHY DO YOU FEEL THE NEED TO HONEST ABOUT THIS WITH ANYONE AT YOUR JOB

Swear allegiance to the flag

Whatever flag they offer

Never hint at what you really feel

Teach the children quietly

For some day sons and daughters

Will rise up and fight while we stood still

If the topic comes up again just give him the answer you are convinced he wants to hear.

Yeah man the job is great

It shut down the topic and I am certain this topic that is in no way required of your professional interaction with this non manager who works in the office.

With that said, bud find a job that you do enjoy. I work because I have too so my job is not my hobby but it something I enjoy doing.

I usually say "If your job was fun they would charge admission instead of paying you. "

Avoid and/or ignore. If they like their nose that certain shade of brown, they can go off all they want.

You could also turn it around on them and ask why they enjoy it or why they think you should. Get them to interrogate themselves and they might just learn something. It is not your job to do though and nobody reasonable would hold it against you if you just fucked off and left them to it

It seems to me that a lot do the job they do, because it pays and as you say the environment is ok.

I'm not going to say you must enjoy, but if you didn't like it you would be looking for greener pastures. Or I would hope so, not just moaning about it.

I enjoy my job, but for the most part it covers my hobbies. So I tend to put more into it then if it was just the money keeping there.

I wouldn't worry about this too much. He'll stop bothering you if you seem uninteresting enough, so just give him minimal uninteresting answers. If he continues to bug you, that could potentially constitute workplace harrassment. If it gets to that point, warn him once. If he still persists after that, talk to your superior. Simple.