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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

to not take all my breaks at the same time as my colleague?

17 replies

amibeingunsociable · 02/02/2011 16:48

I can't do it I'll go mad.

The conversation is exceptionally limited and even if I am reading a book or am on mumsnet he just keeps talking.

He is in his 40s, lives at home with his parents. His interests/converstion topics are, work, cars, popular music including Take That and Robbie Williams and whatever he just watched on tv recently. (enjoys strictly come dancing etc). He has worked in this job for over 20 years.

I don't ignore him all the time or anything, there is conversation while we work, it's just so strained in the quiet of meal/tea breaks. I can't think of things to witter about, or interested sounding responses all the time.

So far this week I have kind of staggered my break with his so I only spend part of it in the same room, and thought of things to do when he goes for a coffee break.

Am I being awful to kind of avoid him a bit to maintain my sanity? I am doing me best no to be rude about it, just can't listen to the same stories again every day...

PS I am not making it up about Take That, it still makes me Shock

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TattyDevine · 02/02/2011 16:57

Can you leave the building?

He probably fancies you Grin

amibeingunsociable · 02/02/2011 17:02

Well he's leaving the building for his tea break so i am staying here.

He is this intense (as one of my colleagues described it) with everyone, kind of expects people to have breaks at the same time. Reckon he does have a soft spot for another colleague though, not sure how she copes Grin

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monkeyflippers · 02/02/2011 17:07

Eeek, I feel sorry for him. You should tell him about speed dating, sounds like he needs more of a life.

Stagger the breaks sometimes but no all the time otherwise he'll notice and be really hurt.

JaneS · 02/02/2011 17:08

Oh wow, that would drive me nuts.

Can you not just be direct and say something like, 'look, it's nice chatting but I really need to be quiet and relax for a bit while I'm on break, sorry'?

I reckon someone who doesn't know he's boring you isn't going to stop without you being blunt!

amibeingunsociable · 02/02/2011 17:10

I feel crappy too tbh, he is a very nice type of person iykwim.

OMG I am imagining him at the speed dating Shock

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amibeingunsociable · 02/02/2011 17:11

I have never used OMG on a forum before, I am slightly ashamed, but felt it was necessary.

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PlanetLizard · 02/02/2011 17:12

It would be mean to avoid him all the time. He hasn't done anything wrong, and he's being friendly in the way he knows how. Agree with monkeyflippers. Stagger the breaks sometimes but not every time.

monkeyflippers · 02/02/2011 17:13

Yay someone agrees with me!!!!!!!!!!!! That never happens!

WimpleOfTheBallet · 02/02/2011 17:16

Aah....he sounds nice! In a nice kind of way.

Seriously....I never meet men who want to talk about popuar TV! I think you should find him a nice girlfriend.

PlanetLizard · 02/02/2011 17:16

:o

52Girls · 02/02/2011 17:17

Does he read things out from the newspaper? I really want to shout ''SHUT UP'' whenever this happens to me. Instead I am uber polite, as ever, smile and comment politely - which is what you'll have to do with this chap. Life's like that!

monkeyflippers · 02/02/2011 17:21

I'm now PlanetLizards no.1 fan Smile

PlanetLizard · 02/02/2011 17:23
Blush
amibeingunsociable · 02/02/2011 17:23

52 Girls if he had one he would. Not sure if he is allowed to bring the paper into work from home. has a car magazine occasionally.

I will only have to work on my own with him for 7 weeks this year, so I guess i can suffer a bit :)

I have no idea where I would start with the girlfriend thing. I am sure people have tried and failed.

If he does talk about anything remotely sexual it sounds wrong. He's like a big child somehow, can't imagine him with a girlfriend!

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glastocat · 02/02/2011 17:30

That would drive me utterly insane. No advice, only sympathy.

amibeingunsociable · 02/02/2011 17:32

I am officially evil.

He has just offered to do a little bit of my work for me to help me out.

Also told me that usually his mum has his dinner on the table for him when he gets in from work - aaaah.

(when he isn't at work in the evening obviously)

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amibeingunsociable · 02/02/2011 18:05

woo, progress! he is reading something too :)

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