Anyone who has ever worked in an office will definitely relate to this little gem – the annoying habits of our delightful co-workers. Ah, the topic of choice for many an office worker during some after-work drinks down the local.
But seriously, sometimes a colleague’s eccentricities can be enough to drive us insane. Well, not literally, but almost.
So, what do we do about it? Do we maintain a dignified silence, albeit through slightly gritted teeth, to spare their feelings? Or do we march right up to them, and point out in a not-so-subtle way just how much their habits are driving us to distraction!
Well, officebroker.com has come up with some tongue-in-cheek tips on how to deal with annoying workers such as the hipster, the snake and the office gossip, to help us stay sane during our working day.
Although I must point out at this point, that if you do decide to put these tips into practice, you do so at your own risk and we cannot be held accountable.
See if you recognise any of these somewhat less than endearing traits:
The Hipster: He wears the shiniest suit, the loudest tie and the silliest socks and is a grand master of the fake golf swing, finger pistols, thumbs up or spin bowl action. Shout Fore! or Six! every time he swings into action and get everyone to email him details of the local bespoke tailor.
The Borrower: Something missing from your desk? Every office has a perpetual borrower. Tell them you’ll start charging ‘interest’ if they miss the deadline – one chocolate bar for every hour past the deadline sounds a reasonable amount.
The Snake: Slimy, limp handshaker who slithers around and stares at colleagues for far longer than should be allowed. Intensify your own handshake grip and start staring back in an attempt to out freak your colleague.
The Smacker: The colleague who slurps their way through lunch, talks with their mouth full and shares far more of their lunch than they should. Vomiting actions or comments on the nation’s poor eating habits should nip this in the bud.
Pussy Galore: Sweet yet neurotic colleague whose desk is covered in pictures of ‘Fluffy’ and who loves to share stories of her pussy’s ‘cute’ and ‘amazing’ antics. Fight back with ‘Fido’ pictures or invent a few alarming shaggy dog tales about cat lovers.
Moaning Minnie: There’s always one person who we’d like to put a sock in it – sometimes literally! Counter the corporate Victor Meldrew by whistling ‘Always look on the Bright Side of Life’.
The Gossip Monger: Loves a good drama and is always first to share any scandal. Tell your colleague a story ‘in confidence’ then watch it spread like wildfire. Then confront them publicly with the fact that you are not really moonlighting as a lap dancer to pay for your daughter’s gap year – surely they can understand a joke when they hear one!
The Sniffer: The woman (or indeed man) who overdoses on perfume or aftershave and wafts through the office. Invest in the cheapest, nastiest smelly you can find or break into fits of sneezing and talk about your severe allergic reaction.
The Message Mangler: Takes a message but always forgets to find out where the caller is from or take a contact number. Give them a message template with headings for name, company and number or remove their phone altogether.
I don’t know about you, but I reckon all of this just strengthens the argument for home working.
Lucie Benson
Editor
