Recently,I've had to interact with a female at work for business.The nature of our business has us close together usually side by side behind a computer,or same at a conference table,its an office environment;I can't change that.She keeps sending out subtle pitches and then waits to see how I take it when we are together.Mind you :I keep my work life and my social life completely seperate.She's also a good 10 yrs older than me and i'm not sure whether she's married or not.
How do I put and end to her innuendo? I need her for what she knows and have been keeping it strictly business.This needs to be handled tactfully and with respect.
2007-02-17 06:09:41 · 7 answers · asked by frith25 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
CC: that sounds good, but it'd be so awkward dealing with her after that.We'll be together until the prodject is over.
2007-02-17 06:36:38 · update #1
Women are usually more open to talking about their personal lives than men at work... doesn't make it right, but it's the truth. Maybe you could start talking about this girl you are in love with and blah blah blah to let her know you aren't on the market. It doesn't have to be true, but if she thinks you are unavailable period, she will most likely feel the sting and stop. Good luck - that is a terrible position to be in.
2007-02-17 06:50:11 · answer #1 · answered by itsjustfoolishness 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Honestly, the only thing you can do is to put as much space between the two of you. At the conference table, move to the other side. At the computer... move your chair as far away as possible without interferring with the screen visibility. In conversation, try to use a the formal tone / vocabulary rather than casual and informal. Your body language is going to have to do a lot of talking for you. You really cannot say anything. That would only embarrass and perhaps anger her.
2007-02-17 15:18:31 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think the above answer of mentioning a girlfriend is a good one. Obviously, you haven't discussed personal info or you would know if she was married.....does she go by "mrs."? Anyway, have a friend call you when you know you will be with this woman and say excuse me that was my girlfriend/fiance. Keep ignoring her innuendoes.
2007-02-17 15:07:19 · answer #3 · answered by Raven 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is always a tough situation and delicate to handle. Especially when you don't know how the other will react. Best approach is to be as respectful as possible and try to avoid creating any 'bad vibes'. If professional, she should respect your wishes, if she doesn't, then how much value does she really add to your work environment?
2007-02-17 14:36:05 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Say:
Please forgive me for being selfish and getting this off my chest with little regard to how much I may be making you feel uncomfortable raising this issue. However, I really feel uncomfortable, when you make these innuendos (give exact examples). I really appreciate our working relationship, and I don't want to jeopardize that. Please grant me the favor so that we can continue our positive working relationship.
2007-02-17 14:32:56 · answer #5 · answered by CC 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
this is a little twist on advice my mom gave me on how to handle harrassment from older men in the workplace.
At the right moment when she pays you a compliment or says something nice, tilt your head to the side, smile brightly, and genuinely say, "You are SO SWEET, you remind me SO MUCH of my mother!"
Used to work for me (except I said "father).
2007-02-17 16:32:51 · answer #6 · answered by mamacatto2 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Then if you're not at bat...." step away " from the plate !
2007-02-17 14:18:37 · answer #7 · answered by Blondie B 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋