to expect someone I've worked with for a year to know my son's name

[theredhen]

I share a desk with this lady sitting opposite her. We are the only 2 employees in the office. We have a boss who sits in another office.

It took this lady 6 months to call the boss by her correct name.

I have tried to make small talk and include her in conversations with the boss but she doesn't want to know preferring to be glued to her computer screen.

I guess that's my fault for working in accounts. lol

Redhen, sadly you may be right, and indeed, perhaps ABU...

How dull is your office? you poor thing!

We are both single parents (well, I have recently moved in with partner), we both have 1 DS each, we live in the next village to each other, so in theory, lots in common.

I know all about her family, her son, where she lives etc.

I take the time to be polite and ask things that show I'm interested.

Sadly, she doesn't feel the same about me or the boss.

We're both supposed to be responsible for answering the phone and meeting and greeting clients, but she is always glued to her screen.

prob on ebay bidding

or on mumsnet.

YABU. I work in accounts and my work life is exciting.

Maybe she is crap with names (I am - it's awful). Maybe she hates her job. Maybe she finds you annoyingly chirpy (I'm sure you're lovely btw).

goodness how dull for you. I know almost everything about my colleague (we share a space) and he I.

Are you sure you are not living in a real life Catherine Tate sketch?

I'm crap with names but at least I know hers and her sons for goodness sake.

lol about the catherine tate sketch.

I don't expect her to know everything about me but to actually show just a slight interest. Sometimes she asks a token question, but then immediately forgets the answer.

Her "what are you doing this weeekend?"

Me "I'm meeting going bungie jumping"#

Her - no response

30 mins later as she walks out the door.

"Enjoy your weekend, are you doing anything interesting?"

Aaaargh!

Maybe she simply has the view that during her paid hours she is there to work, not chat.

Christ, I hate people at work banging on about their families. Fair enough if I ask, but otherwise, yep, I couldn't give a toss, frankly. I'm paid to be there, I choose to spend the rest of my time with people I am interested in. Sorry if that makes me appear cold, but life's too short.

YABU your sons name is probably not relevant to the work she is doing

I can assure you I don't bang on about anything. Maybe 2 sentences in a day. "Did you have a nice weekend?", that sort of thing.

She'll tell me about her family but after a year can only just remember by name. We're the only two people sitting in a very quiet office all day.

On medication that makes her zombie-sh perhaps?