Am I wrong for being a bit irritated by this?

Question

Ok, well first my boss is already getting on my nerves but that is a long story. There is this lady who works with me; she has a high up position. Anyhow I have noticed that she speaks to me a trillion times a day, and only me. It’s annoying sometimes. She has to pass my desk to get to her office, and every time she leave out, or returns she speaks. If she is on her way to the copier to pick up a piece of paper she will speak to me. If she passes me in the hallway or in the ladies room she will speak. I am a very friendly person. I speak when I arrive to work or when I am leaving for the evening. But I don’t continuously speak to the same person several times a day. And like I said she only does me like that.

First off let me respond to meanolmaw. No one said that I was worrying about it so there is no need to get smart. I am simply asking a question. The last time I checked we could do that.
Anyhow, as I stated earlier I am a very friendly person. I get along with all of my co-workers, and am very outgoing and sociable. But like I said I do get a little irritated at times when this lady constantly speaks over and over again. She says nothing else behind it just hello. I could see if maybe she would try to strike up convo but she just says hello. For example, she just came back from lunch and said hello. Then she just left out her office again, not sure why but as she passed by me she said hello again. I guarantee that when she comes back she will speak again. I have never seen anyone speak that many times, and not say anything else.

Biker Chick, I have no reason to pretend for anyone. I am who I am. If I say that I am a nice sociable person then that I am.
I have no problem whatsoever with anyone speaking to me or talking to me for that matter as I converse with mostly all my coworkers. But like I said before and I will say it again, I have never ever in my life seen a person constantly speak ever single time they pass you. And she only speaks to me, no one else.

Also, she doesn't have any authority to promote me or recommend me for promotion.r

Lprod and Joyshhp you pretty much understand exactly what I am trying to say. She is somewhat of an irritating person. Plenty of people at my job don’t care for her, they call her sneaky and conniving, but I don’t know how true that is. I overheard my immediate supervisor and another lady who works here talking about her last week. But I have never been the type to get involved in office gossip so I just act as if I didn’t hear anything. But I do agree that she is very irritating. I guess the fact that she only continuously speaks to me, and she seriously does it every single time she walks by gets on my nerves a little. And she passes me several times a day because as I mentioned I sit directly outside of her office.

This is my last time posting a comment as it will seem like I am writing a novel :-)
But I had to respond to october0414. You totally understand. Maybe I should have explained a little better in the beginning but at least you get what I am saying and now I don’t feel like I’m insane. Oh yeah, she just returned, apparently she went to the vending machine to get a snack and of course she said hello once again.

Answer 1

I think that the other answerers misunderstood what you said. If this lady says "hello" to you every single time she sees you even if it's only been 5 minutes, it would drive anyone crazy!

lol, I wouldn't even begin to know how to handle this....maybe ask her about it one day at lunch or something. It sure is weird though. Maybe you could start doing it back to her so she could see how crazy she is acting. Make a big deal about it....give her a big "hey" and even a wave. Then she'll think you're the crazy one and she'll leave you alone!

lol...good luck! Sounds like you need it. That and a bottle of Tylenol.

Answer 2

I don't know this person so I can't really speak about her, but there are people that are just IRRITATING themselves (regardless of this "obsessive" behaviors)..... maybe you find her annoying and her acting this way only reinforces this feeling. I think that she probably does it because of what you said: you're friendly to everyone, so she might not have found anyone friendly enough to stand her behavior other than you at the office. She thinks you're not bothered by it so she comes to YOU to talk, maybe cuz no one else will listen.

It also depends on what she says. If she's coming back from the copier and she says "damn, the paper is jammed again!" and walks away, just ignore the remark and continue minding your own business. If she specifically comes to your desk and wants to start a conversation, tell her as others have already adviced: that you're really busy at that moment and that you'll talk to her later, maybe go to see her at her office or whatever.....

Answer 3

It sounds like she wants to be polite and not ignor you. Maybe she likes you. That should not be a bad thing. If it is a problem you should think about why it's a problem for you. I'm thinking maybe it is distracting when you are working on something and have to start again after being interrupted. Anyway you should say what you experience and how it affects you and how you would like it to be different. For example: "I notice you always talk to me whenever I see you. I appreciate your friendlinesss, but sometimes it distracts me from what I'm working on and I have to start all over again. There may be times that I need to focus on what I'm doing, but I don't want to be rude. I would prefer if we didn't have a chat each time you pass my desk. How do you think we can handle that and still maintain our good relationship?"

Answer 4

She may feel she is being polite, and is uncomfortable just walking by you without saying something. You just have to gently break her of the habit. If it's distracting, try not looking up from what you are doing, just acknowledge her with a little wave or smile. If you see her coming towards you, pick up the phone like you're making a call, and just nod at her as she goes by . . . that sort of thing. Try not making eye contact with her when she comes by. Gradually cut down the number of conversations per day until she is comfortable.

Answer 5

You are a "very friendly person" according to you, but this lady bothers you by being friendly..... someone is giving off the WRONG vibe, and someone sees themselves as something they are NOT.

Try being what you REALLY are, and stop pretending to be something you are NOT. Guarantee this lady and everyone else will leave you alone!!

You are VERY wrong for being irritated - - you have been sending these people all the wrong signals! It is not their fault at all!

Answer 6

Huh???? If it were the opposite thing happening, you'd be writing in here about how "this lady at work ignores you and only you". She is acknowledging your presence when she is walking right by you...to do otherwise would surely be rude. You are fortunate to have such a friendly work environment!

Answer 7

If your work is being disrupted, you would be understandably irritated. Try smiling without answering or nodding without looking at her. If she persists, say "So sorry, I'm really busy right now."

Answer 8

I would be pleased that a female higher up is speaking to me. Perhaps she sees you as promotable.

Answer 9

She talks about what? Tell her your busy and who would love to chat with her but at the moment you have work to do.

Answer 10

So you’re mad at someone saying hello when they see you? Perhaps you could be thankful that a “higher up” is acknowledging you. It could be to your benefit down the line.