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Original poster

Need tips to get through the next two days af work!

15 replies

mylittleyumyum · 20/09/2023 07:47

My office is currently like a crypt - two of my colleagues are on annual leave and one is sick, so it's just me and one other person in my team.

She sits opposite me, she's nice enough, but very lazy and we don't have much in common. The project I'm working on keeps me busy enough but it's a tad mindless and I need chat to make the day pass.

This woman, let's call her Betty isn't the best raconteur - she prefers to eat. All day, noisily. The office is otherwise pretty silent. So all I can hear is her munching crisps and chewing sweets.

I try to zone out and get into my work but she has an awful habit of lifting a piece of paperwork, looking confused and saying "oh!" or "that's strange!" then she sits waiting for an acknowledgement. It's never anything interesting.

I'm not allowed to wear earphones, unfortunately, so all day I have schlapping of food and pointless exclamations.

Please - regale me with tales of your own colleagues to distract me from Betty.

OP posts:

greyandwindy · 20/09/2023 07:51

Oh my goodness just the thought of having to sit all day and hear eating sounds is making me feel rage.

I couldn't do it, I'd have to ask her to stop eating as unreasonable as that may be. I'd also ignore her attempts at attention seeking.

Why can't you wear headphones? What about earplugs and mention something about earache and pressure? Not sure if this is medically correct but would she or anyone question it really, I'd slip in that needs must or the pain means I'd have to also call in sick so the earplugs must stay as they are easing it.

Islandsadness · 20/09/2023 07:53

If it's only you and Betty, who's going to stop you wearing headphones?

TheChosenTwo · 20/09/2023 07:53

If you’re not allowed to wear headphones could you possibly just play music (quietly!) on your phone or through your computer? It’s unlikely to disturb your Co worker, someone in my office plays music and it’s so quiet that I can only hear it if I go and speak to him at his desk.

donkra · 20/09/2023 07:55

Get some of the Loop earplugs that take the edge right off sounds, if you can't wear headphones? They're small and discreet. I have them for times in the office where I need to focus and write code

But yeah, if it's just the two of you, just... wear headphones?

AlwaysPrettyOnTheInside · 20/09/2023 07:55

Why can't you wear headphones? I'd wear them anyway I think... I wouldn't be able to cope with listening to someone eating in an empty room.

Can you wfh for a few days? Say you injured your ankle or something.

Or just go sick until your colleagues are back.

Original poster

mylittleyumyum · 20/09/2023 07:56

We share a bank of desks, there are others in our open plan office - not really close enough to chat to.

It's such a large space that no buzz is ever generated, other people have their heads down much of the day but often pop over for bits and bobs and directors are in and out of their office to ask us stuff too.

As infuriating as the eating is, I feel like I can't draw attention to it - she struggles with her weight so it's the elephant in the room....

OP posts:

Tregothnanny · 20/09/2023 07:58

We all know Betty is going to complain to the managers if OP has music on ever so slightly or dares to wear headphones.

MotherOfGodWeeFella · 20/09/2023 07:59

And have you tried having a normal conversation with her as you both work? Sounds to me as though you've decided you don't like her/can't be bothered with her.

Highlyflavouredgravy · 20/09/2023 08:03

Can you not say to her " Betty it's so quiet in here, shall we put the radio on?"

I think you need to talk to HER
rather than wait for her to initiate conversation

KnickerlessParsons · 20/09/2023 08:08

It's two days....

DirectionToPerfection · 20/09/2023 08:12

Just wear earphones. If a manager pulls you up on it (sounds unlikely as your own manager isn't there) ask to speak privately and tell them the constant eating sounds are extremely distracting and you need the earphones to get your work done.

LetsPlayShadowlands · 20/09/2023 08:13

MotherOfGodWeeFella · 20/09/2023 07:59

And have you tried having a normal conversation with her as you both work? Sounds to me as though you've decided you don't like her/can't be bothered with her.

Agreed. You don't sound very nice OP. Maybe Betty doesn't want to hear you talk about yourself all day simply because you're unable to concentrate and need a distraction.

Tadpolle · 20/09/2023 08:17

Speak to your employer about working from home.

Kissmas · 20/09/2023 09:49

Sounds like 2 days of respite for Betty without you and the other two fucking wittering on all day.

Original poster

mylittleyumyum · 20/09/2023 10:35

I've worked with her for almost two years, I do like her, but if I don't initiate conversation then there is none. She literally has nothing to say. Her interests and mine don't align (she likes manga, I don't, I like travel, she doesn't) she doesn't expand on anything when I show an interest. We rub along together and that's it.

As for 'wittering on', I can't even bring myself to argue with that. There's normal office chat and then there's awkward silence punctuated by chewing.

I remember we used to be able to have threads about annoying colleagues - I almost resurrected a zombie thread from 6 years ago which was full of almost identical, lighthearted gripes.

OP posts:

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