[hueving]

Yes, one of the most annoying things you can encounter is a conversation at dinner with multiple Google employees. They will constantly mention that Google is working on something and then after confirmation with each other that it is still private, refuse to tell anymore details. It seems like it's encouraged in Google culture to brag but in a secretive manner to remind outsiders of what they are missing.

[jonas21]

... or maybe they're really excited about whatever it is and want to talk about it, but also don't want to get fired for leaking something?

[david-given]

This is precisely it.

Plus, Google's huge and has very few internal communication barriers --- nearly everything is open to everyone. So it's really easy to get into the habit of casually talking about internal products when talking shop.

Then you notice someone nearby who isn't a Googler, and you go oh shit and stop talking.

[eropple]

And that is almost definitionally a lack of social grace and tact. It's one flavor of what is meant by "low EQ".

It may be usual and common for Google employees to do that. That doesn't make it excusable, and it's a pretty big reason why I, too, tend to avoid gatherings where I know it's going to be a bunch of Google employees. They communicate that they don't want outsiders around? I can oblige.

[r00fus]

So that's a lack of EQ... So much so that it's a lack of common decency. Yes, it's a big deal, yes it's exciting but when in mixed company you need to talk about other things if it's indeed secret stuff.

[hueving]

Right, and it's extremely rude. It's the equivalent of the old grade school "I know a juicy secret but I'm not going to tell you" routine.

[eitally]

Ironically, lunches are not like this. :D Since you never know which people in the cafeteria are or are not Google employees, conversation in the cafes is almost never about sensitive work stuff. The infosec focus actually stimulates an environment with a better work/life balance. Totally strange to experience, but 100% true.