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How can I get a coworker to stop bugging me?

A woman at work drives me batty.  I can't stand her voice, her affections, and the way she talks to me.  She thinks we're pals; not in the going out to lunch together way, but in the "oh, I haven't talked to you all day and I feel bad about that, how are you?" way.  I try to look super busy when she's near.  I avoid walking past her desk unless I have papers in my hand I'm frantically looking through while I'm walking.  What other ways do you have of avoiding inane conversations with people you have to be cordial to but don't want to be friends with?

Re: How can I get a coworker to stop bugging me?

  • BouxRadleyBouxRadley member
    100 Comments 100 Love Its First Anniversary Name Dropper
    edited July 2015
    Earbuds. Magical little buggers. 
  • Earbuds. Magical little buggers. 
    I should totally do that.  Just run them into my empty pocket, no actual music at all.  Only problem is, she's the kind of person who would stand at my desk behind-ish my chair and just wait for me to notice her.  Or she butts in to conversations I'm having with others and just hangs around until we all turn around to our desks or walk away.  I have to be cordial, but I don't want to be nice.  Any phrases I can use where all the words sound polite, but the gist of the sentence is to get the fuck out of my face?
  • BouxRadleyBouxRadley member
    100 Comments 100 Love Its First Anniversary Name Dropper
    edited July 2015
    "I'm sorry, I'm really busy, is there something in particular you needed?"


    eta: There's a guy in my office that does this too. I feel ya.
  • Just tell her you can't talk because you are swamped with work.

    "I'm so sorry , but I am really swamped with project XYZ, so I don't have time to chat."

    "Well, I better get back to my desk to work on Y. I am so busy today! I shouldn't have been over here this long."

    Then turn around and start doing something or walk away. If she just stands there or continues talking, tell her you really need to concentrate.

    Under no circumstances should you soften the blow by saying you can talk later.

    If you aren't busy with work, say something like, "I am sorry. I really wanted to use this down time to read my book/call a friend/catch up on news. There's never enough time in the day," and then go back to what you are doing.

    Do that enough and they will stop bothering you. It worked for me.
  • I agree with PPs. If you do the "I'm super swamped/is there something specific I can help you with" routine enough, I imagine she would get the hint and move on to someone else.

  • Put your work phone number in your phone (make sure it is in you favorites and easy to get to). Then as you are talking to her, ninja like quick dial your work phone from your cell.  Oh no, now you have to answer your phone for a very important call.  Shucks.

  • KatWAGKatWAG member
    2500 Comments Fifth Anniversary 500 Love Its 5 Answers
    I would start farting when she comes by.
    BabyFruit Ticker
  • KatWAG said:
    I would start farting when she comes by.
    YES!

    But also, what PPs said :)
  • So, right now, she's not actively bugging me, but she's passively bugging me.  She's standing in the doorway of another co-worker's office (instead of, you know, actually IN the office) talking loudly.  Seriously, this woman's voice just grates.  She describes phone conversations and business meetings in minute detail and repeats herself repeatedly.

    It might be ear bud time.                                                           
  • kaos16kaos16 member
    Knottie Warrior 500 Love Its 1000 Comments First Answer
    adk19 said:
    So, right now, she's not actively bugging me, but she's passively bugging me.  She's standing in the doorway of another co-worker's office (instead of, you know, actually IN the office) talking loudly.  Seriously, this woman's voice just grates.  She describes phone conversations and business meetings in minute detail and repeats herself repeatedly.

    It might be ear bud time.                                                           
    I feel your pain..... I am trying so hard right now not to kick the girl 2 offices down talking at top volume.  It's awful and it's not even directed at me, but I can't get away from the noise!!!!  I am blasting Pandora to try to drown her out.
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