Annoying colleague

[Pjsallday]

I work in a environment were the turnover is high. So I'm used to all sorts of people and not easily offended. However new person is quietly annoying me. They are very efficient and are keen to get stuck in. Can't complain in that area. However it's the little comments that are starting to wind me up. I've started to sigh deeply when they say something annoying but I will bite soon. I'll give a example. A machine didn't work I asked the boss what was happening. She replied oh I think you opened it too soon. Annoying colleague (A.C) said "oh no you've broken it, what you like!" Another example i was passing something to A.C and it dropped they said " oh no, your throwing it at me!" Another example I was looking for something and couldn't find it they could have helped bit instead said " oh no what you like, can't you find it! Maybe you've binned it" offering no practical advising it help. Writing it down it seems so simple and a non event but it's at least 2 comment a day. It's almost a form.of workplace negging maybe? Or a way to make me look bad in front of the other colleagues. When they have misplaced something or needed showing something I just did it. Didnt make a big deal of it??? So wise mumsnetters hot any advise on how i can stay sane in the workplace and not let them get to me. I appreciate there are bigger problems but my God its really bugging me!

Sounds to me like she's just trying to have some banter with you

She's probably trying to get along with you but just isn't good with people. Or maybe she's negging you but she just sounds a bit socially inept.

Tune it out for now and see how it goes. Chances are she will get bored and give up if you don't react.

Sounds normal to me!

She sounds irritating but could be trying to build a rapport with you. If you think she’s just being annoying for the sake of it, I would ignore all her silly comments, give no reaction and only speak to her when necessary.

Sounds to me like you're making a fuss about nothing and have nothing more important to think about OP.

Worst case scenario it's negging, best case she's trying to have a bit of banter and is a bit of a social hand grenade and making a mess of it

Give it a few more weeks and maybe think of a few standard phrases such as 'that's not really helping AC' or 'you're about as much help as a chocolate fire guard'

Oh for goodness sake.

These things are completely normal, especially if they're new and just trying to have a bit of chat.

Stop sighing at them, it's nasty.

Just Sounds like her personality and like it wouldn’t effect your work flow. It’s ok to find some people annoying, but you should be more tolerant without ‘biting back’, which is completely unnecessary. And stop with the passive aggressive sighing.

Maybe you need to say oh not another comment every single time she says something. We don’t know what her intentions are if there are any. But her lack of social skills aren’t your problem and banter is only banter if you both/all engage otherwise it’s irritating.

She sounds like a cunt.

When she makes those daft remarks, say "have you got something useful to say, because what you just said is pointless".

Or some concoction of the sort. She's trying to be "clever" because shes new - when in reality, she's acting like a Class-A bellend.

We have had "banter" and have alot in common re similar aged children etc. But she left her last placement after fighting with her previous manager and I almost feel she's trying to point out my faults etc to perhaps make herself look good. As I said before she is a good worker but likes to comment on that. Bigging herself up and reminding us all how long she'd worked for the company. Perhaps the person upthread is right about her just trying to joke and fit in. And maybe I shouldn't take it personally! I'm tired and need some much needed annual leave coming soon in early Feb. Im perhaps a little burnt out and overthinking it too much! Tomorrow's another day!!!

You should label yourself GC in this story

grumpy colleague

I think your been a little bit over the top to be honest it sounds like they are just having a joke and you have your back up because you don't like them

your colleague sounds really irritating, I would not see that as banter as you obviously don’t enjoy it and banter needs to work both ways. Cba with people like this, it’s a mild form of undermining you imo. You gave my sympathy OP

I don’t think she’s doing anything wrong really. Some people just really really annoy you and it’s bad luck if your stuck working with one.

My advise would be to step back from telling yourself she is doing it on purpose and just try and tune her out. Don’t ask her for help next time you need it, ask someone more helpful.

Just try and ignore her … she’ll probably get fed up doing it soon.

Just make a noise and nod that used to work for me. If you don’t seem interested she will get bored and move on to the next victim

This would irritate me no end. I'd turn it on her. A comment in the right ear should curb her inane comments. Are you the only one she's doing it to or are you only noticing when she does it to you? If it's others, that's a gift.

That would annoy me too tbh...maybe one of those comments as a one off. But continually sort of thing, nah she's annoying just ignore or say something smart back

That would really annoy me. Assuming other people can hear it, sounds like she's trying to make you look small

She's either trying to undermine you at work or she has low self esteem (making you look bad makes her feel better about her abilities.) Either way I wouldn't stand for it. Next time she says something ask her to repeat herself - "sorry what was that?" If she meant it as a (none) joke she'll drop it and say never mind.
Or say "well thats not very helpful" when she makes a pointless comment.
She'll just end up making herself look stupid and hopefully stop.