More noise pollution!

[deedee]

My co-worker, who sits about 8 feet away (we are in a big cube farm here) has a habit of chewing an entire package of gum, snapping, popping, blowing bubbles, etc., as she does so.  I understand she is trying to quit smoking but this is pulling my very last nerve to shreds!  I thought I'd point it out to her, politely, and said, "A, perhaps you don't realize how much noise you are making with your gum".  She protested and vehemently denied making noise while chewing gum, EVER.   She returned to her tasks, and continues to chew noisily.  I guess I don't have much recourse here, but any input would be appreciated -- even if only sympathy!

[dettu]

You don't know how to crack your knuckles, do you? HEH.

[countrigal]

How about recording something at your desk... which just incidentally picks up the sound of her chewing and then sharing that with her.  Might be an eye opener.

Sorry to hear, as I know that can be very irritating.  Wish I had some actual advice that would help.

CountriGal
Peer Moderator

[Jackie G]

CG, you had the same thought as me, I also wondered about recording her.  She may genuinely not think she's making a noise!

Jackie, Peer Moderator
www.iqps.org

[spitfire78]

Oh, I sympathize!!!  There are 3 in my office, and one of us is a "sniffer".  All day long - sniff, sniff, sniff.  Well the last few weeks she has had a cold, and her sniffing has intensified to the point that my other coworker and I have been close to committing murder!  We all have tissues on our desk, and we have made sure that she knows she can take our tissues if she needs to.  She even sniffs when speaking on the phone with clients!  The other day I heard her leaving a voicemail message for someone - sounding very professional.  At the end she said, "if you have any questions, call me.  Thank you (a huge SNIFF)" and then hung up the phone.  I was horrified.  Last week one day I actually counted 10 sniffs in the 30 seconds it took her to walk to her chair, put her purse in her drawer, and sit down!  I thought my other coworker was going to fall off her seat when I told her (in private) that I had actually counted sniffs!  Someone in another dept called my coworker and told her that she admired us greatly for putting up with that without killing her.  The sniffer was outside her office using the copy machine, and she said it was all she could do to keep from ramming a tissue up her nose!

[gee4]

Deedee et al,

You want to learn to adopt an annoying habit - need a few ideas?

- start tapping your pen on your desk, pc, phone very loudly
- swing round in your chair or rock it back and forward if it's a posh one!
- slurp your tea/coffee
- burp
- SNIFF!

Honestly I know people who have tried these and it works!