When I was growing up my parents' work groups had many office parties, picnics, and get-togethers. Attendees were everyone from the agency director on down. As many were at our house, as kid (10) I attended, met, and conversed with them.

Now? or at least in my work time over the last few decades, I would not even attend an avoidable social function where leadership also attended. Something very basic seems to have changed in the manner in which folks interact on the job.