Talkative co-worker?

Question

I have a co-worker who talks all day long, none stop, making up absurd stories. She's also the type that asks completly irrelevent questions at the most inappropriate times, complains about every problem with the audits, and any time somene else mentions something that happened to them, like a personal story, she has to pitch in her 10 minutes of how the same thing happened to her but in a more extreme situation and goes on..and on..and on... I have pretty high tolerance, and patience, but this woman is getting on my last nerve...Anyone had this problem? Whats the best way to deal with it?

And by "absurd stories" I mean completly out of this world, unbelievable stories, contradicting to eachother at times. I've tried to ignore her, but she won't stop!! She will continue talking even if I walk out of the room!!

My desk is right next to her too so I can't avoid her all day.

Answer 1

My guess is that she's lonely and wants attention. Maybe if you ate lunch with her and paid attention to her then, she might not feel so desperate for attention when you're working. At any rate, if her talkativeness is affecting your work, you can speak to her. In a very kind way, say something like, "Jill, I've noticed that you like to talk a lot when we're at work. I think it's fun to chat, but I feel distracted when you speak so much and it's difficult to do my work. Would you mind not speaking so much?"

Alternately you could just listen to music that would drown her out a bit. But be careful not to turn the volume up too loud.

You might also ask your boss to move you to a location farther away so you can't hear as well. And you could ask the boss to talk to her about affecting the job performance of other people in the office.

This behavior makes me wonder whether your coworker has possibly a psychological disorder that really colors the way she sees the world and interacts with people. My guess is that a little compassion might go a long way.

Answer 2

Try ridiculing her in front of other employees. Make fun of her everytime she says something. This will further lower her self esteem and she will probably stop talking to you. You might get fired too, but what the heck.

Either way, I wouldn't put up with it. Unfortunately we live a touchy feely world where everyone has a right to have "feelings" and "express themselves". The fact is, work is a place of business, period. Years ago, this person would simply get fired for being an asshole and that would be the end of it. Now you have to worry about getting sued everytime you fire someone.

Answer 3

Your coworkers comments probable come from a pretend experience of attempting to help. they might imagine they are providing solid suggestion for your well-being yet going about it the incorrect way. some each and every man or woman is basically skinny. except a doctor tells you you opt for to attain weight than you shouldn't difficulty. those comments are irrelevant yet shrouded in solid intentions perchance so in case you may communicate that it offends you in a sleek way then which will be ideal.

Answer 4

I had a co-worker who was very talkative too but I don't believe they were outrageously made-up. I truly believed she was just lonely in her life. One time I just slowly backed away from her desk until I was out the door. It took me 15 minutes to just go three feet!

Answer 5

Are you talking about my secretary??? LOL

I and other people just ignore her. Sometimes she ends up being the only one listening to her stories because people start chatting between themselves around the lunch table. Or people just don't look up from their desks so she gets no reaction.

A little cruel perhaps, but it works.

Answer 6

I have had this problem. I act super busy as if I don't have time to talk and I have started to wear headphones while at work. You don't even need to be listening to music for people to get the hint that you are concentrating.

Answer 7

I used to work with someone like that. Unfortunately, nothing you say will make them stop talking all the time. I finally avoided that person all together because I couldn't tolerate it anymore. Once I did that, they found someone else to b*tch at.

Answer 8

you could talk to a supervisor and say that her constant talking is hindering your work performance (at the least, you might be able to get a different desk)...

i know what you mean about people making up stories to top you...those people are so wierd and annoying!!....here's a funny story....

my sister's boyfriend : "i just had my appendix taken out"

my uncle's friend : "i had my appendix taken out twice"

my uncle: "you only have one appendix dumb @ss"

...i think sometimes just calling them on their ridiculousness is enought to quiet them (at least for the time being)
....next time she has a "story" why not say "wow...i find that extremely difficult to believe"

Answer 9

I would never sit or work with someone like that. If my work was being affected by this co-worker. I would sit and talk with the boss and avoid this person at all stances.

Answer 10

Try to ignore her because she loves the attention,you say something it will get worse.Then she will have you to talk about.Dont make eye contacy when she talks act noninterested in her conversation all the time or get up and leave,but dont say a word