Dear Prudence,
At the mental health crisis intervention call center where I work, a dozen licensed social workers and counselors sit together in an open office setting. Workers consult by responding to calls and making field visits to assess need for acute psychiatric counseling. One colleague has a particularly annoying habit of laughing aloud while reading or viewing media not related to work. Her laughter is loud and forced and no one asks her what’s amusing her because no one wants to engage with her. The worker is a know-it-all and buttinsky. Eye contact around the room leaves no doubt that the forced laughter is collectively irritating. How do you suggest asking her to cease and desist? “Mary, has anyone ever mentioned how obnoxious your laughter is?” probably wouldn’t go over well. We’re all seasoned therapists, so one would think we’d approach her directly. But apparently we’re clueless. So we remain silent while her laughter continues to grate.