Colleague doesnt talk at all

[Sarah510]

So I share an office with another woman - our work is separate so we don't "need" to talk about work, well it would be interesting for me to hear about what she's doing but she doesn't ever share anything. But more than that, she goes for days without speaking except 'hello' and sometimes a 'bye'. The rest of the day we just work in silence. It makes me feel a bit weird and to be honest a bit lonely. I have tried to make conversation but she always shuts it down straight away one-word answer so I haven't initiated any conversations this week, and it's been silence all day every day, so I guess it's what she wants. She is busy I get it, but it does feel weird to me. AIBU

@Ginfordinner, I don't live on my own (one twenty-something son still living at home; have been married) but I wouldn't have a problem with it at all and want him to have independence when he's financially and emotionally ready. I love my adult children to bits and prefer their company to anyone else's (and hope to be a good granny one day), but still love it when I have the house to myself! As for friends, I've never actually had a problem making friends at all (I read threads here and elsewhere where people so obviously would love this and really struggle with it) - my problem is actually trying to keep my distance without offending people! It's got easier with time. I'd say I have friends but see them as rarely as possible .. weird ... I know ...

My friend annoyed his wife once. She stopped talking to him. (Well, she's Irish, so that meant only doing necessary talking. )

She gave up after a few days when she realised how much he liked it!

@Emmelina exhausting is the right word for it, that's exactly how I feel within an hour of her arrival. When she first started in the office she would not stop touching me. It put me on edge the whole time and I was always moving away from her when we were talking , but she just used to move with me. It reminded me of being marked when I used to play netball. I tried politely telling her I did not want her touching me, coming up behind me stroking my arms, but she didn't get the message do I ended up shouting No! Naughty! Everytime, like she was a bad dog. She did eventually get the message about that,but it doesn't look like she's ever going to shut up.

I work somewhere where there is constanttt distractions and id love silence..the distractions often end up in me taking twice as long to get ny work done. Maybe shes shy, or prefers to crack on and get the work done. Maybe she also just not a sociable person. I mean it is a bit unusual that shes doesnt seem to want to talk at all. Could she possibly be upset with you over something?

I must admit that the people on the bank of desks behind me can get irritating with their banter, but I find it easy to switch off and concentrate.

I wonder if the introverts here find it more difficult?

She's not ASD is she (autistic)? With the way she responded to your comment about the cold weather-she was very matter of fact.

I haven't rtft but I feel for you. Unless you've worked in a room where there are only twice of you it's difficulty to comprehend just how much it can affect you. I shared an office once fo two years and it really got m down.

You have my greatest sympathies, OP. My situation only changed when we switched offices.