talkative coworker

[susan1234]

I have been working in a small office in proximity to a very talkative volunteer worker. He mutters continuously, burps, and hiccups throughout the day. I was at a point today when his noisiness became very distracting to me. I did not know what to say, so I said something like "be quiet, I am trying to concentrate." I know frustration came through in my voice. I found out from one of my managers that he complained to her and was very offended by that. I plan to have a discussion with him and the manager from the standpoint that I need quiet time to focus, concentrate, and I will apologize for any hurt feelings. I would appreciate any advice. How would you deal with a very talkative coworker, especially if you needed quiet to concentrate on a complex task?



Thanks,





Susan





 

[admin2geeks]

Headphones.



 I used to work directly behind the front desk/copy station/mail station with one of those noisey postal meters, where the two recpetionist chatted ALL day to each other and alternalt fought with their boyfirends and babysitters on the phone.

 

After talking with my manager and asking him to talk with their manager, which resulted in them only being louder (these were 19/20 year old girls) I resorted to headphones with soothing music. Sometimes classical, and sometimes I would play myself nature CD's that had ocean waves and thunderstroms. Of course headphones, and even loud music were very common in my office with the engineers.

[admin2geeks]

 

Headphones.



I used to work directly behind the front desk/copy station/mail station with one of those noise postal meters, where the two receptionist chatted ALL day to each other and alternately fought with their boyfriends and babysitters on the phone.



After talking with my manager and asking him to talk with their manager, which resulted in them only being louder (these were 19/20 year old girls) I resorted to headphones with soothing music. Sometimes classical, and sometimes I would play myself nature CD's that had ocean waves and thunderstorms. Of course headphones, and even loud music were very common in my office with the engineers. But perhaps your manager would be willing to allow it? Good luck finding a resoultion.  

[dragonladybug]

Yep - headphones.



I sit in an alcove between two executive offices  - the alcove is divided into 2 cubical type offices.  My coworker in the other cube talks very loudly and constantly.  It drives me crazy - I have been known to beat my forehead against my desktop if sitting or against my overhead cabinets if standing, just because she never shuts up.  I hear every word of her phone calls and other conversations, which are the worst because once she gets started on a subject, she just goes on and on and on.



One day recently my boss was standing in front of my desk signing papers while she was nattering on and on about something.  He grabbed a note pad off my desk, wrote briefly, and then turned the pad around where I could see it.  It said "we have got to get you moved".  



I just cracked up - it helped actually because knowing he understood the situation made me feel at least I wasn't alone.

[chris68]

DragonLadyBug,



It's nice to know that bosses are concerned that way, and yes it does help when they are on your side in those situations.  Sounds like you have  a keeper of a boss.



Chris68

[donnap99]

Susan,



Headphones sounds like a good idea; I have no other ideas.  But I do have a thought.  Reading your description, I immediately had the thought that this guys may have Tourette's Syndrome.  My daughter has a mild case.



I'm not suggesting you come out and suggest this to him, but keep it in mind that he may not be even aware of what he's doing, and even at that, it's an impulse that can't be "tamed" without medication.



Donna

 

[katzee]

Susan1234, you have my sympathies. I wish I could tell you something magical that will make him stop besides a stun gun. I've been dealing with a co-worker for years that insists on playing country music on the radio very loudly AND SINGING ALONG!!!!!!! I've tried everything to make her stop. Politely asked, then demanded, yelled "Hey, stop that singing, I can't hear myself think". Walked over and turned off the radio. I even tried playing classical music on the CD on computer. She just cranks it louder. I wear headphones for transcription, but I would have to turn the volume up so LOUD to drown out her singing, I would suffer permanent hearing damage. So if you find something that works, please share with us.



Kat, who now knows all the lyrics to "I Like My Women a Little on the Trashy Side" and my personal fav, "She Thinks My Tractor's Sexy". Geez!!!!!!  

[radaro]

She Thinks my Tractor is Sexy?!!  Who makes this stuff up?

[chris68]

Well RadarO, unfortunately that song was a very popular one for Kenny Chesney and I love it too, but to crank up the music and sing in the office is considered very unprofessional in my opinion.  I'm surprised that the supervisor hasn't heard this yet and has had a word with this person.



Also, coming from a country music fan here, I love to play my music in the office but with the understanding to keep it lowest on the low side cause I know it's an acquired taste and not everyone likes it, and it should be the case with ALL music in the office, not just country.  Our office plays music sometimes in each individual office and are very concious about how loud it can go, unless it's holiday music at Christmas time of course, then I make an exception  .



But for the everyday, I think playing music to that extent is very unprofessional and something should be done, and if your supervisor won't talk to this person,  then I would suggest headhpones or even ask if one of ya can move somewhere else?



My .02 cents.

Chris68

[countrigal]

I play country music in my office and, when I first start, I make a point of letting my co-workers know that if they don't like it, it gets too loud or distracting, or whatever, that I will gladly turn it down or off, whichever it takes.  So far I haven't had any complaints.  In fact I've had folks look at me strange when I'm sitting at the computer slightly bobbing my head to the music because they couldn't hear the music from the other side of my desk and thought I was losing my mind.    In my present office bossie likes to listen to it so it's a little louder (he has good hearing) but I'm still conscious of who comes in or calls and how loud my music is.  (and if I'm alone in the office I've been known to sing along very quietly :0 )



But to play it loud after being asked to turn it down?  Please!  Talk about RUDE!



Chris, do you listen to any of Cledus T Judd's songs?  My hubby's favorite right now is "How do I milk a cow?".  Too funny!!!  And his take off of "She thinks my tractor's sexy" as "My cellmate thinks I'm sexy"...  hubby's sense of humor is slightly askew.  

[chris68]

CG,



I've only heard those a few times on the radio with the morning crew.  They tend to get a little crazier than usual on Fridays and more likely to hear that kind of stuff then or on the all request lunch hour is the best bet during the week.



But believe it or not, I married someone that supposedly hates country music   , but will listen to it on long trips to keep me happy and sane   .  Guess he doesn't dislike it as much as he says, but unfortunatley he doesn't like my absolute fav. Randy Travis.  



Unfortunately, my boss doesn't care for the music, but says as long as he doesn't have to listen to it on a daily basis, he's okay with it if I play it occasionally, and I will ask if it's too loud for him, and most times he won't even hear it, which keeps the both of us happy.  Now if he's on the road, I will play it the day's he's gone and yes CG, have been known to be tappin' the foot and bobbin the head, and folks walkin by probably give me the same kind of look.      



Chris68



PS...Also for not liking country, hubby keeps asking me about that new song by Blake Shelton, Austin.  I finally went and got the CD, it's really great.  Guess it taint so bad after all.  

[countrigal]

Chris, ya gotta train 'em right.    My hubby didn't dance or listen to country all that much when we met (it was too twangy), but I wouldn't date anyone who couldn't dance with me.  So he started taking lessons with me, started coming to country night at a local club, and 2 years later we were married.  Now he's a country DJ (still likes his older rock, southern rock type music though).  He hates road trips with me because I was country when country wasn't cool and my trip music is OLD country.  And I play it loud and sing and dance along as I drive if I'm driving.  If I'm not driving, he gets to play what he likes.  But for a 16 hour drive I play my truck-driving music, old country, and sing and dance my way home.  Makes the trip more fun and time flies!    Right now he's complaining because I have about 12 CW McCall songs on his computer and they're "in the way" of his music.  (Course, he has so much ripped to the computer that how my 12 could possibly be in the way is beyond me!).



Tapping to "take a little trip" right now....Thank goodness it's Friday!!!!!!!!!!    

[laundryhater]

Perhaps if you have a heart to heart talk with this guy.



Say something like:



"I'm sorry I was snippy with you the other day but I would really appreciate it if you could keep your noise level down in the future. I was working on a very lengthy project the other day and could have used some quiet to concentrate. (Smile) Thank you."



Win with kindness. Because when you became agitated and it showed in your voice, it made him want to just do it all the more just to spite you because you hurt his feelings. When you went on the offensive/aggressive it backfired.



Good luck.



Apology would help mend fences.

[katzee]

Hey guys just to clarify--I didn't say I didn't like country music. I am from Tennessee--the home of country music, big hair and rhinestone suits (and that's just the women). If you don't like it, we politely ask you to leave the state!!!  (Just kidding!!) While country is not my favorite, there are some artists I love to listen to and some songs that are great. It's just the singing along OUT LOUD that gets me. If she could carry a tune, maybe I wouldn't mind it so much. As far as telling the supervisor abou the loud music, I AM THE SUPERVISOR. And it does no good to tell her to stop. A few days of quiet and then she's back to beltin' out "You're the Reason Our Kids Are Ugly" or  "Did I Shave My Legs for This?" And yes, those are real songs.  



Kat

[msmarieh]

If you are the supervisor, then tell her to turn off the radio and if she refuses - take the radio away from her!



Marie