Thank you for the wonderful idea, Njord! I never even thought of it! I still have so much to learn in managing employees! But i'll have to pressure the secretary that does the pay thing, because she usually is slacking a lot. She keeps talking about her grandson that is married to some important man's daughter and that he works very hard to make her proud and that soon they will buy a house for her.

Njord, you must be the Scandinavian Genie Leprechaun I heard when I was younger, always carrying his pot of golden ideas!

I understand what your trying to achieve, I've been here almost 2 yearsnow so here's my thoughts. As you will probably notice there is a big divide in the social behavior of chinese native people.I originally worked in a school and now in a completely different field, I've been to gyms, traveled around a bit, been for nights out in areas with 'hen duo wai guo ren' (many foreigners) and live in an area with very few.

In my experience there is a  huge difference between the social lives of people here. Most of the people I work with literally work, work, work then go home... their only hobby or interest seems to be sleeping or the odd night at KTV. Then I have met many other people who are always going to bars or meeting with friends at coffee shops, playing pool or cards and just about anything to get out and about.

So in regards to your scenario perhaps you have just been a little too ambitious from the outset. I completely understand your intentions and what your trying to do but for the people that rarely get out or do things outside the norm this could be quite a daunting experience for them. I've always been an outgoing person but even for me I would feel like a 'tool' dancing in front of female co-workers haha! Perhaps you could ease them into it with something less forward where they don't have to put themselves out there for all to see, step-by-step I'm sure they will become more confident and you can really get them going.

From my experience there can be a lot of answers and solutions for this problem:)

1. If you have a big team - they are working, they are not social but they are doing great their job and you as a "Boss" are satisfied of the results, maybe there is no reason to make them social if the company is growing and the goals are completely achieved.

2. If the workers are permanent negative and complaining about something there are more solutions : a) If only a few of them are negative and complaining then a good solution is to have one on one meeting to understand why those people acting negative and as well make other people to be unmotivated;

                              b) Make a motivational session and of course informal meeting for all workers, for such king a sessions there are business trainers which will analyze professional all team and will make the right agenda of motivational sessions. 

     I have been a business trainer for couple of years in my country, and to keep a team motivated and social is not so easy,  we need to understand that a part of work all workers have a private life which is different with different aspects and different problems ( kids, house, husband/wife, parents, credits, illnesses etc). 

   If the team is not motivated and not social, the leader should answer first at some questions:

1. How many time per year do you have a team building with all of workers???

2. How many time per semester all team are going to informal meetings (dinner, clubs, bowling, etc)???

3. How many motivational, personal effectiveness or stress management  trainings the workers are passing during the year ???

  We need to understand that our job is our second life, so if we will follow the instructions mentioned on the questions we can go to the job with pleasure and have a great time with our colleagues )))

  Wish to every leader to have an extra motivated team!

Institute mandatory meetings on your office couch with the sexiest ladies in the office. Record everything. Share with the men in your office. On whacky-Tuesdays&Thursday's promote S & M behaviours, bring some Domi's in to teach males how to behaves. Record that too. Share with females. Success!!

i know this is an old thread

having worked in a number of large companies i have been on the receiving end of some 'social' activities.

1) my work place is not my family and i don't want my personal life scrutinised and discussed there. I keep them seperate. It is different in Chinese companies where this line is blurred and some workers i has spoken to say it is normal for VERY personal questions to be asked, even at interview stage.

2) there is a difference between being social and being professional. They are not mutually exclusive, but i don't want to be best mates with my boss, just to be treated with respect, and vice versa. I am there to work after all.

3) i don't want to be forced to socialise with the people i work with. I had to go to a KTV night with training school colleagues after a tough day in class. I liked my local colleagues, but not enough to be forced to socialse them in a situation like this. Socialising should be a choice, not compulsary.

work is still work regardless of how much i enjoy it, or how much i get on with my colleagues. Treating people with respect and behaving in a professional manner will ensure better team-work, rather than who dresses up in the most outrageous costume on a friday, or who can dance well. Of course, it entirely depends on the work-place. 

just my 2 cents