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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

noise pollution in office, LOL

40 replies

HelloBoys · 23/10/2013 13:53

I work in a reception area of a solicitors office. As a Legal PA/secretary/receptionist etc.

The other legal PA used to work downstairs and had her own office. there are 2 meeting rooms directly opposite me - one is occupied by a new solicitor the other is just that, a meeting room.

The new solicitor is Iranian (nowt wrong with that), has been here 3 months, but speaks very loudly, seems to have a loud voice/accent. He takes calls on loudspeaker phone and i can hear him through the glass walls (can't hear clients or my boss in front meeting room with same glass walls).

New sol also leaves door open which contributes to noise flow.

I do audio work (typing) as well as reception - I do filter out clients voices, other people etc but this guy when he speaks loudly (80% of the time) is REALLY LOUD. Loud enough to be heard over my loudest setting on my audio machine! What would be perfect is if he would just shut the door. I feel its not my place to say something though.

The other week I was concentrating trying to look at a lease and other legal documents and this solicitor and a colleague were loudly speaking (with door open again) - it was Friday, my other colleague was off and after 30 minutes of loud talk I sort of lost it (not really) and said could they tone down the noise a bit, or close the door and if not please carry it on elsewhere.

I sound/feel like such a bitch. And I know it's a very much FWP (first world problem).

Am I being TOTES UNREASONABLE or have a got a point? Smile

OP posts:
YDdraigGoch · 23/10/2013 13:55

I don't see what's wrong with asking him to close his door so that you can concentrate. He probably knows he has a loud voice.

Original poster
HelloBoys · 23/10/2013 13:59

Thank F for that. I'm not BU! Smile

generally he speaks really loudly (I think it's accent etc) and I do think he knows it. generally I have to concentrate every day.

He rarely tones it down. I do like him otherwise he's quite nice. Just the silence of having door closed would be bliss. I'd be useless in a call centre

OP posts:
lessonsintightropes · 23/10/2013 14:24

I'm not sure how the accent you mention in either of your posts impacts on the volume or disturbance you refer to. YANBU for asking him to keep his door shut but think you are being a bit wierd/UR re accent...

livinginwonderland · 23/10/2013 14:27

If his accent/the fact he is Iranian isn't the problem, why mention it? YANBU to want him to be quiet, but bringing up his nationality/accent isn't necessary at all.

Original poster
HelloBoys · 23/10/2013 15:28

ok maybe that's what I notice more. he just seems to have a very strong intonation and the accent seems strong.

I think all nationalities can have strong accents but it seems his in particular is very strong.

OP posts:
Original poster
HelloBoys · 23/10/2013 15:32

The fact that he's Iranian - well it does and does not matter.

  1. his clients are mostly Farsi (Persian) so he has to speak to them either in English (if they speak this) or in Farsi. I think sometimes when he speaks to them in English (if their grasp is limited) he speaks louder to try to make himself understood.
  1. But on the otherhand him being Iranian has no bother to me at all.

I must admit at first (having spoken to an Iraqui former colleague/friend of mine who dislikes Iranians) that I wondered if he was a strict Muslim but from speaking to him and others I know that Iranians are very westernised and tolerant generally.

I don't like feeling the above (distrustful) but TBH (and flame away) I wouldn't be comfortable working with an extremist Muslim.

OP posts:
Chippednailvarnish · 23/10/2013 15:45

Just ask him to close the door. Talk about making a mountain out of a molehill...

Chippednailvarnish · 23/10/2013 15:46

Just read your last post, you're the one sounding like an extremist.

Original poster
HelloBoys · 23/10/2013 18:20

Like I said chipped flame away

OP posts:
whatshallwedo · 23/10/2013 18:33

Surely being a strict muslim does not equate to being an extremist? Hmm

HelloBoys · 23/10/2013 20:20

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Iamsparklyknickers · 23/10/2013 20:38

All you need to do is very apologetically and lightheartedly ask to close the door as whoever has dictated is practically whispering or your machine is rubbish - voila.

Strong accents and other languages can be harder to tune out, it's something unusual to the ear and you end up paying it more attention.

ohmymimi · 23/10/2013 20:40

Hole is big enough, throw away shovel, OP.

Original poster
HelloBoys · 23/10/2013 20:41

Iamsparkly - see you get me when it comes to the accent/language etc - it's a question of tuning out and he DOES speak with a certain intonation (which is actually very pleasing to the ear when I've got time to listen!).

I'll do that though - be more lighthearted - to be honest I can be funny getting to know new people - takes me time - but we've laughed and joked and tonight I even shared a drink with him after work as we both worked late. So the Muslim stuff etc whilst my own views etc certainly doesn't apply here nor to anyone else who's Muslim who I work with or not!

OP posts:
Original poster
HelloBoys · 23/10/2013 20:42

ohmymimi - STFU - who gave you the right to police my posts?! LMAO

OP posts:
AlexaChelsea · 23/10/2013 20:47

You sound like you are either about 16 or a bit thick. All the totes and lols and lmao's.

Oh, and a bit racist.

Fakebook · 23/10/2013 21:12

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Helpyourself · 23/10/2013 21:15

Closes the door and backs away quietly...

milkwasabadchoice · 23/10/2013 23:06

At least you know you don't know much about Islam! Because there is a huge difference between strict observance and extremism.

As for the rest of it, politely ask him to close the door and explain why? It doesn't seem too hard.

Original poster
HelloBoys · 24/10/2013 13:45

I admit I don't know much about Islam and strict observance and extremism.

No need to jump on me or call me thick. I can say what I want AlexaChelsea.

On quite a few forums LOL and LMAO are quite normal! Grin the totes I agree myself are teen!

OP posts:
Original poster
HelloBoys · 24/10/2013 13:47

oh and Fakebook - I am only being bitchy as I want peace and quiet in which to work.

I explained further down the post that I was nervous/judgmental of new situations etc. I admit I don't understand much about Muslims/Islam etc

No need to call me a bitch in a backhand way by agreeing with me.

OP posts:
AnyChippednailvarnishfucker · 24/10/2013 13:48

DO YOU SPEAK ENGLISH?

Re-reads thread, decides OP clearly doesn't, gives up and leaves.

defuse · 25/10/2013 13:45

You are islamophobic.

WooWooOwl · 25/10/2013 15:16

Many Iranians living in the UK are very westernised, even more so than some westerners.

I think you are confusing Muslim culture and Iranian culture. They are two very different things. All the Iranians I know, which is quite a few, are very much into their culture but they embrace British culture too. If I were Iranian I'd make the most of my culture, Iranian food is delicious.

AllThoseDirtyWords · 25/10/2013 16:18

It seems your prejudice is born out of fear, so fight the fear with knowledge rather than believing lazy journalism.

Maybe if you did learn more about it you wouldn’t feel so uncomfortable?

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