Age differences shouldn't be held so high. I eat lunch at work with people 3x my age, and we have plenty in common. We often learn things from each other, and they're very valuable friendships. I wouldn't hesitate to invite them to do something which we share an interest in.

I find it is easy to get along with a wide range of people of the same age, probably because of similar circumstances and concerns (get education, find a place to life, get a family etc), even if the chemistry is not that great.

With people of different ages it's far harder to work around that, and easier to notice when the chemistry is great. It's fantastic when it works out like that, but difficult or boring if it does not.

When I worked for a defense contractor (with many older employees), I really enjoyed the occasional social outing. People at different stages in their life often have different perspectives, and have access to that perspective is a gift.

But I don't understood the trend of working with people for 10 hours, and then hitting the bar/bowling alley/movie theater/beer fridge to hang out more. As an occasional event, it's great. But as a regular event, it feels like the company is just insinuating itself further into your non-work life, breaking down the boundary until you have no non-work life. No thanks.

I can relate! Sure wish more teams would do things together - *despite the age differences. I'm 20 yrs older than some of my coworkers, but we still have similar interests. And a good beer is a good beer, no matter how old you are! ;-)