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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Apparently I type too loudly

186 replies

Tabsicle · 23/03/2017 08:14

So, I work in an office. Normal open plan.

Apparently one of my colleagues has put in a complaint about me. She says I type too loudly. I do, to be fair, type quickly (90 wpm) and that means I tend to bounce around the keyboard rapidly, and other people have said I type as if I'm in a bad mood (I'm not. I just type at thinking speed).

Nothing else - I don't eat at my desk, I don't really talk much, I don't wear heavy perfume. My boss has been very nice about it and said I'm doing nothing wrong but would it be OK to get me a quieter keyboard, and if that doesn't work, colleague will have to live with it.

AIBU in how I type? Is she? This feels really petty and while I know we don't get on (she's been really ratty and competitive with me recently, which I think it because we work in a target based environment and I've had some very good results lately) I'm a bit thrown that she has actually put in a formal complaint. It seems rather weird too. MN jury?

OP posts:
Forager · 23/03/2017 08:26

A formal complaint for typing loudly? Although, I can see how it can be annoying, I think your colleague is being utterly petty.

She sounds like she has some sort of personal/dislike issue with you because any normal person would just mention it to you and ask nicely.....not submit a formal complaint!

Truckingalong · 23/03/2017 08:26

People who bash away at their keyboards should be taken out the back and flogged. That said, she should have just said something to you rather than put in a formal complaint but if there's tension between you, she might have felt it best to by-pass you altogether.

merrymouse · 23/03/2017 08:26

I think the problem is probably that all the sounds are close together. If you were deliberately hammering the keys you wouldn't be typing at 90 wpm.

(Although for me 90wpm is faster than thinking speed - I can only go that fast when I am doing a typing test and not thinking about what I am writing).

BumWad · 23/03/2017 08:26

I have a colleague like this. It's fucking annoying. But a formal complaint? Ha!

Original poster
Tabsicle · 23/03/2017 08:26

MissisQuigley Grin at 'old gimmer'. Yeah. Totally. I started out as an old school secretary. I also have shorthand.

OP posts:
Trifleorbust · 23/03/2017 08:27

There is nothing good you can do about this bar type more slowly. Ask your boss whether this reduction in your productivity is okay. I think this is a ridiculous, vexatious complaint.

Mouikey · 23/03/2017 08:28

I shouldn't laugh at this but are you me?? I am a fast (and loud apparently) typer and it drives my hubby up the wall when I type at home on the laptop. He has a noise sensitivity to it and as he suppresses this during the day at work so I get his wrath in the evening!

At work my keyboard was changed whilst I was on holiday - didn't bother me and made a little bit of difference. like you I have no idea how to turn it down without reducing productivity. I am aware that it can be annoying but so can heavy breathing, clearing throats and for me sneezing and I don't complain about that!!!

Following to see if there are any useful suggestions.

OreoDream · 23/03/2017 08:30

YANBU!!

Wow, crazy thing to complain about. I hope she gets told to stick it!!

Offer to type at half the speed and get half the work done!?

OreoDream · 23/03/2017 08:30

Are you able to use an 'Apple' style keyboard with super low profile keys? They are very quiet compared to the other kind.

steff13 · 23/03/2017 08:31

Well, it's a silly thing to complain about, but if you're typing on a computer keyboard the same way you'd pound type on a typewriter, it probably is pretty loud. A computer keyboard doesn't require you to hit the keys nearly as hard. I type over 100 WPM, and I'm not loud.

JonesyAndTheSalad · 23/03/2017 08:31

I type at 90wpm too OP and so does my MIL but God she's a LOUD typer. She bangs that keyboard like she hates it and in my opinion it's just not needed. Try not to.

heron98 · 23/03/2017 08:32

I used to sit next to a guy who types ridiculously loudly. I complained. He got moved. The new neighbour complains. Now he sits on his own. He says he refuses to type more quietly and that's just "how it is".

Original poster
Tabsicle · 23/03/2017 08:34

Mouikey - That is the thing that vaguely annoys me. She's not deathly quiet herself. She tends to eat at her desk, often 'loud' food like apples or crisps, and it genuinely drives me insane, but I thought it would be totally unreasonable to say anything so I just kind of decided to put my head down and get on with it.

Bah. I shall try a new keyboard. Boss has now got back to me to say if the keyboard doesn't work, she has to live with it because he doesn't want me reducing my typing speed and potentially my productivity.

I think this will turn into another black mark against my name in her book. Sad

OP posts:
picklemepopcorn · 23/03/2017 08:34

Trial different keyboards. There will be a softer one.
It feels aggressive to those of us who are sensitive to it, and makes us anxious.
I know in my head DH isn't raging, but when he stamps with every step and bangs cupboard doors and types like the world is about to end, I quiver quietly inside.

ShakyMilk · 23/03/2017 08:34

This is one of my office pet hates (as well as loud sniffing - I worked with someone who was allergic to dust and I wanted to hit them) ... but formal complaint? Jeez. I think the complainant needs a bit more work to do to keep them occupied!

80sMum · 23/03/2017 08:35

Here's a supposedly quiet keyboard. Worth a try.

picklemepopcorn · 23/03/2017 08:36

If you research it on line, there are features in keyboards. I had no idea, but gaming DSs get very technical about keyboard specs. Get advice.

Floggingmolly · 23/03/2017 08:38

I can't believe they indulged her to the point of hauling you in for a discussion; making it your problem Shock.
Counter complain about her apple crunching!!

Spudlet · 23/03/2017 08:39

Can't she wear headphones? Other than a new keyboard, I don't see what you're meant to do about it, to be honest!

Firsttimemama2017 · 23/03/2017 08:40

Your colleague sounds pathetic to put in a formal complaint about this! Has she nothing better to do? One of my team types very loudly but it doesn't bother me as I'm too busy getting on with my work.

Some people! Shock

Huldra · 23/03/2017 08:41

Your colleague is being ridiculous to make a complaint, she should have said something to you first.

The clacking noise can be very irititating. I type quickly and don't make a terrible noise, try the different keyboard and try to be less aggeesive.

I used to work with lots of coders who were also avid gamers, Skype calls with the entire team tapping away on mechanical keyboards was interesting Grin My teen says the noise of his helps him code!

averythinline · 23/03/2017 08:42

Hopefully your boss has her measure -Grin
yes a different keyboard may help also a colleague uses one of those large sort of blotter mat (sure theres a proper name ) under her keyboard- she did audio typing for a while and learnt on a manual so had no idea how loud she was !...phenomenal speed and accuracy though...
ignore your colleague doesnt sound like you'd be able to do anything right

Semaphorically · 23/03/2017 08:42

It's an open plan office, there will be noise. If she can't concentrate with background noise then she should ask to be moved.

I seriously cannot believe she complained. Does she not have enough work to do? If one of my team complained about "loud typing" (without some kind of medical issues with background noise) I would just explain to them that this is the reality of open plan, which I also have to put up with.

harderandharder2breathe · 23/03/2017 08:43

Formal complaint is ridiculous but a newer keyboard should please everyone without requiring you to change so accept it

SailAwaySailAwaySailAway · 23/03/2017 08:43

I think your boss should get the delicate flower some ear defenders.