Why does my co-worker constantly interupt me when I am talking to other people?

Question

I am 32 and I work at a high school. There is another teacher who is 60 years old. Ever since I started working at this school, she constantly finds me talking to someone and rudely interupts the conversation. She takes over the conversation and then I get ignored. This bothers me. She has been working at the school for 10 years. I am new but have a higher degree than her. She interupts me as if I am not there and then dominates the conversation. This is during my lunchbreak and after school. Should I say something to her? she doesn't seem like a nice person.

I could be talking to a student about their homework, or another teacher about afterschool programs, and she will just interupt me speaking. She is absolutely rude!

Answer 1

Say, "Excuse, me, [fill in the Interrupter's name here], but I need to finish this thought..." Then continue talking to the student as if the interrupter isn't there.

If she keeps pulling the same sh*t, then make up a reason why you need to be somewhere else in the building in a hurry, and invite the student to walk [fast] along with you, as you talk, leaving Miss Interrupter in the dust. You could also do this pre-emptively, if you see her coming.

Lunch is harder. If you're in a group and she does it, take the conversation back by interrupting, yourself, and change it to the original subject. If she does it a second time, get up and leave immediately without explanation. That will call attention to her bad behavior without you saying another word.

This works well at my job. We have quite a few of those people, and taking them aside to talk about the problem never works.

Good luck!

Answer 2

It is possible to stop an interruption. The technique is to just keep talking. If you continue talking for long enough, the other person will stop. (It's really hard, though.)

My guess is that this person wants attention. Perhaps she feels intimidated by you. After all, as you've mentioned, you're younger and have a higher degree than she does, coupled with the fact that you're full of energy. The fact that she seems to be seeking you out suggests that it might be your attention she's looking for. In other words, maybe she's trying to impress you by always having something to say. I recommend that you look at her with compassion and try to remember that she's a peer, a colleague, and a person with an incredible amount of experience who's still in teaching after such a long period of time! These days it's hard to find someone who's been in the profession as long as she has simply because teachers burn out so quickly. Surely there's something you can learn from her.

Answer 3

It's a pissing contest. You have got to one up her - especially if it happens when you are working with a student. You are a professional, and you have to handle this. The next time she does this - calmly ask to speak to her away from everyone else. Then tell her that you will not tolerate her doing this to you anymore - especially if it concerns actual work. You might try to smooth it over by saying - you may not be aware that you are doing this, but it has become increasing annoying and it must stop.

If she persists - you have two options - immediately stop speaking if you see her approaching and wait until she leaves to start talking again - or go to the principal and report her behavior (the part about interrupting while you are working with a student) - I guarantee the principal will step in. Good luck.

Answer 4

Poor self esteem - just because she's mature and educated doesn't mean you don't intimidate her. She may also be lonely. There are two ways to deal with it:
1) if you see her and it's not inconvenient, invite her to join the conversation. When she's not compelled to force her way in, she may not be so abbrasive. If she starts taking over the conversation, gently step in and say, "that's interesting, you know, I was just saying . . ."
2) If it's not approprite to have her join the conversation, start walking with the person to whom you are speaking - if that's not possible or if she catches you, before she can utter a single word, say "I'm sorry we were right in the middle of something and it's a bit private, can I catch up with you later." That should do it.

Answer 5

That would drive me crazy too. I think it is an age thing. She probably assumes since she is the eldest she is the leader and commands your respect and attention. I think you should talk to her in private. Ask her if there is a problem. Ask if she is attempting to correct you because there is some area that she sees you can improve in. Also, let her know that it makes you uncomfortable and self-conscience. Finally, tell her you know that she isn't trying to be rude but helpful...but you are having a difficult time with her behavior. Hopefully, she will get that it is not acceptable to behave that way.

Answer 6

By all means, confront her on her rude behavior! I have a co=worker who used to do the same thing. (We're nurses and she's the boss' daughter). I told her how rude it was when she interupted me. It took 4 or 5 times, but it finally stopped.

Answer 7

She is probably doing this out of insecurity. She wants to feel like her experience is more important than your big degree. Just remember this before you think bad thoughts about her, or say something rude.

If it is a casual conversation with a co-worker, I would take the first opportunity to tell the co-worker "Well, I guess we will have to finish our conversation later" and walk away.

Answer 8

That just happened to a coworker today and it has been happening for a while. She matter-of-factly addressed the matter in private with the person, who then apologized.

You have to be careful with older people though. If I were you, I'd address it right when it happens in as nice a way as you can. That way, you 1) speak your peace, 2) make it harder for her to keep doing it and 3) if you're nice, she won't have any (rational) reason to get snippity with you.

Answer 9

If I were talking to a student and she interrupts,I would tell the student what they needed to know,then turn to this teacher and inform her that she should not interrupt you when you are talking to a student."we can not teach matters,if we do not practice matters." When she interrupts while talking to an another adult. I would point-out that she is being rude.

Answer 10

organize earlier hand with a set of work-friends to initiate the most stupid, won't be able to be authentic hearsay about you and enable this actual co-worker pass with it. she will be able to have a hayday and spread it to as a lot of human beings as she will be able to. once you go back sparkling and he or she realises it change right into a shaggy dog tale, she will be able to appear as if a horse's *** for believing something so stupid and it is going to diminish her credibllilty interior the destiny. If no man or woman is willling to take heed to her, then she will be able to no longer be able to communicate about you.