To throttle my colleague who never stops clearing his throat?

[WanderingNotLost]

From 9 in the morning til 6 in the evening, several times a minute my colleague coughs/clears his throat. It's sort of a vocal 'hah-hah-hum' type of thing as opposed to a regular cough. He sits opposite me (with computer monitors in between) so he's about 5 feet away and doesn't cover his mouth, so I hear it loud and clear every time and it's starting to give me stabby rage. I've only been here two weeks

[ShatterResistant]

My DH does this. It is annoying, but he can't help it. Tolerance required.

[RatherBeRiding]

Sounds more like a "tic" kind of thing - not sure what the correct terminology is, but I've known a couple of people do this almost continually including when they are talking to you/you are talking to them. It's quite disconcerting but he may not be able to help it?

A quiet word with your line manager might clarify the situation.

[CosyNook]

I used to work with someone who used to sniff all the time. Really, really annoying.

[ShtoppenDerFloppen]

OK, so whatever causes him to need to clear his throat (neurological, medical, environmalental, whatever cause) makes you want to cause him physical harm?

Exactly which one of you has an issue?

[ShtoppenDerFloppen]

*environmental

[lavenderdoilly]

Could be a genuine health problem which your intolerance will not help. Speak to your manager

[WanderingNotLost]

I'm not being intolerant, I haven't said a word to him. I can just feel my blood pressure spike every time I hear it!

[ProcrastinatorGeneral]

My son does this when he's got any illness at all. Seems to kick in and stays for days. It is annoying, even if it's involuntary. I frequently leave the room as it causes me to be far more rage-filled than I care to be.

[Mslg]

I have this (from multiple sources) in my office, along with Apple munchers
Listen to music through earphones?

[ShtoppenDerFloppen]

You have been there 2 weeks... suck it up or move on - how badly do you want the job?

Do you honestly believe that the individual in question is not acutely aware that his need to do whatever makes you stabby might be irritating? Of course, your comfort is worth so much morale than his...

[M48294Y]

Oh God! I don't know how you can stand it op!? I was sitting near a man on the train doing this the other day and I had to get up and move (packed commuter train) just to get away. It was all I could do not to say something to him.

[ShtoppenDerFloppen]

Autocorrect hate me. Your comfort is worth so much more than his.

[gandalf456]

I hate this kind of thing but how do you bring it up?

[WanderingNotLost]

A few people have commented on it in passing, he just smiles and shrugs. I don't think he gives a shit to be honest. It doesn't seem to bother everyone quite as much but they aren't sharing a desk with him...

[gandalf456]

Maybe it does but they don't like to say?

[ShtoppenDerFloppen]

Hmm... Wandering , as you are posting all of these during the hours that you are supposed to be working (per your OP) perhaps you should concentrate more on the reason you are employed than on the sounds coming from near you.

I can assure you that this silliness in 2 weeks of employ under me would assure that you didn't see a third week.

Unless, of course, you are being paid to post on MN?

[LightDrizzle]

Oh no! I can't bear that sort of thing either. Sniffers, munchers, lip-smackers and throat-clearers. You have my deepest sympathy, it makes me stabby too. Can you ask your line manager about headphones?

Knowing someone can't help it wouldn't stop it annoying me, not actually blaming them doesn't stop what is an irrational response.

He may not be able to stop doing it and she can't stop finding it infuriating. Don't make her out to be some proponent for euthanising the disabled.

[M48294Y]

WTF? She doesn't work for you Shtoppen so you don't have to worry about it.

Are you a man, or just a prize arse?

[lavenderdoilly]

Know someone with asthma who does this. When some coworker (emphasis on first three letters) made a fuss, the asthma sufferer was very upset. Get some earplugs, get over it. The asthma sufferer still feels dreadful when they have a bad run of coughing and throat clearing. I think you call that discrimination.

[Kanga59]

yanbu. living next to that is intolerable after a while. can you start doing it too to brig his attention to it and he will see how annoying it is. He probably knows he does it but hasn't made any effort to stop it yet. It sounds like a tic type throat clear rather than anything medical like a throat infection (which he would have sought help for by now, surely)

[ShtoppenDerFloppen]

I am a woman, but apparently tolerance of employment expectations are a man's world?

2 weeks into a new position is not apropriate to be moaning (and suggesting violence) about a colleague during work hours

And, if you think it is... you are fortunate that I am not your employer.

[DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen]

Funnily enough ds does a similar thing and he's asthmatic. Worse as his voice has broken now too. He has NO clue he's doing it even when I dig him in the ribs as he's doing it.

Earplugs!!

[M48294Y]

Could you BE more pompous.

[lavenderdoilly]

I know you intended to be light hearted - I wonder how old you are. Inclined to agree with Shtoppen on this one.

[2rebecca]

Throat clearing like all tics can be treated. The sufferer has to want to be treated though. It isn't just something everyone else and the sufferer has to put up with.