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Original poster

How do I get my coworker to stop picking his nose?

60 replies

user1471867483 · 21/02/2024 07:56

He started working in our office August last year.

He's 40, picks his nose and rolls the 'offending article' in his fingers and doesn't wash his hands after. He does this about 7 times day and he's sat right next to me. I haven't the heart to tell him outright to stop, but I'd like to word it to him in a nice, gentle way as it affects me the most being sat next to him. I could tell my boss, but she'll just tell me to tell him myself.
He brings in biscuits to hand out, but yesterday, he dropped most of them on the floor and put them back in the packet and then handed them out to everyone.

OP posts:
ThePoshUns · 21/02/2024 08:07

Try a jokey
' can I get you a shovel for that?'
We have a nose picker in our office and we just tell him outright
' Oy X stop picking your nose, it's gross'

Minikievs · 21/02/2024 08:14

No advice but my new colleague is a constant sniffer. It's like torture waiting for the next sniff. I tense up waiting for it. I'm not sure if I'd rather have a picker than a sniffer.
I'm tempted to leave a box of tissues on his desk. Would that work for you too?

FancyJapflack · 21/02/2024 08:15

“Dave can you go somewhere else to pick your nose? It makes me feel sick”.

User19798 · 21/02/2024 08:17

I just comment "You wouldn't think we'd just suffered a global pandemic with your hygiene standards"

romdowa · 21/02/2024 08:18

I'd offer him a tissue every time.

ThePoshUns · 21/02/2024 08:23

Ian's stuff being kind / gentle, he chooses to pick his nose it's not like something he can't help/ has no control over

ThePoshUns · 21/02/2024 08:23

*And

2Old2Tango · 21/02/2024 08:29

"You shouldn't dig so deep, your head will cave in. Seriously though John, it's not great to see someone constantly raking their nose and flicking the contents. Please use a tissue to clean your nose."

Edit to add: I personally wouldn't touch any food he brings in with those hygiene standards.

MoonWoman69 · 21/02/2024 08:47

Totally gross! I don't ever see anyone doing this, but it would turn my stomach! And I'd certainly bring my own biscuits, then when he offered his, get yours out and say "I'll have one of my own thanks, I prefer mine without bodily excretions on them!"

Original poster
user1471867483 · 21/02/2024 08:52

2Old2Tango · 21/02/2024 08:29

"You shouldn't dig so deep, your head will cave in. Seriously though John, it's not great to see someone constantly raking their nose and flicking the contents. Please use a tissue to clean your nose."

Edit to add: I personally wouldn't touch any food he brings in with those hygiene standards.

Edited

I never take anything from him. Yuk. He brought in some home cooked food for another colleague once and she took it home, but when he offered to make me some I told him, 'I have to be careful what I eat as I have a delicate stomach', so as not to offend him.

OP posts:
Lurkingandlearning · 21/02/2024 08:54

If you can’t approach it face to face write a note, send an email gently telling him it’s unhygienic, childish, gross and antisocial. Then if he persists loudly complain every single time he does it.
what does he do with it once he’s finished rolling it?

Or give him a box of tissues and say, “stop picking your nose. It’s disgusting.”

ShamalaPamela · 21/02/2024 09:00

Why is not offending him your primary concern?

I'd have a box of tissues on my desk and as I saw the finger raise, say his name loudly, and then silently hand the box of tissues to him.

Repeat.

He's doing in unconsciously. You need to make him conscious. There are things we don't do in the office, and this is one of them. It's ok to let him know.

Tatonka · 21/02/2024 09:03

I would just say that's disgusting can you stop that. I did this to a colleague clipping her nails and letting them fly everywhere. What is wrong with people!

Original poster
user1471867483 · 21/02/2024 09:04

Lurkingandlearning · 21/02/2024 08:54

If you can’t approach it face to face write a note, send an email gently telling him it’s unhygienic, childish, gross and antisocial. Then if he persists loudly complain every single time he does it.
what does he do with it once he’s finished rolling it?

Or give him a box of tissues and say, “stop picking your nose. It’s disgusting.”

Lol - he usually wipes his trousers with it 😷. He fails to realise I have standards and he shouldn't be doing that in front of me an immaculate woman!

OP posts:
DRS1970 · 21/02/2024 09:05

I don't have issue with nose picking, but at least do it private, and then wash your hands. I would tell him him in a jokey way, mid act, that he is the reakiest bastard I have ever worked with.

OhItsOnlyCynthia · 21/02/2024 09:08

I worked with a nose picker. I started offering him a tissue every time and he did eventually almost stop doing it.

Portakalkedi · 21/02/2024 09:19

Some people are disgusting. How could you do that in front of other people? I guess he's single? Definitely tell him, the dirty bastard.

DSD9472 · 21/02/2024 09:28

I worked with a man that did this during teams meetings- and then would ate it 😱I honestly think it was so normal for him, that he had no awareness he was doing it. Almost like a tic.

Next time he does it, can't you look at him and pull a disgusting face? Or say something 'Bob, can you do that somewhere else?'

Galeforcewindatmywindow · 21/02/2024 09:31

Buy a horn. Squeeze it every time. I would have puked by now op.

Deathbyfluffy · 21/02/2024 09:32

DSD9472 · 21/02/2024 09:28

I worked with a man that did this during teams meetings- and then would ate it 😱I honestly think it was so normal for him, that he had no awareness he was doing it. Almost like a tic.

Next time he does it, can't you look at him and pull a disgusting face? Or say something 'Bob, can you do that somewhere else?'

Ugh, that’s grim.
I used to work with a lady known as scratch and sniff - I always wondered why until she gave her arse a good itch then sniffed her fingers 😫

She always brought cake in too, funnily enough I declined after that!

Also worked with a chap who would relentlessly itch his ‘downstairs’ in meetings.
People are gross, thank goodness for WFH

SleepPrettyDarling · 21/02/2024 09:33

Can you imagine the state of his keyboard and phone 🥴

Original poster
user1471867483 · 21/02/2024 10:00

SleepPrettyDarling · 21/02/2024 09:33

Can you imagine the state of his keyboard and phone 🥴

Envy
OP posts:
LookItsMeAgain · 21/02/2024 10:32

They do say that someone's keyboard has more bacteria on it than a toilet seat. What you're describing would make me want to move desk locations.
Buy a box of tissues in Tesco or wherever and as soon as you see his finger go for his nose, offer him a tissue.
Then after about a week of this nonsense, you need to raise it to your manager saying that you feel you shouldn't have to be providing 'Dave' with tissues so that he can pick his nose in the office and you'd appreciate it if said manager could have a word with 'Dave' about his personal hygiene standards in the office.

I mean it's one thing to pick your nose when you're working remotely and no one can see you do it and you're not on camera but when you're in the office, you have to maintain a level of hygiene standards and decorum that 'Dave' clearly isn't.

Gettingbysomehow · 21/02/2024 10:34

You have to kill him. There is no other way.

Hibye23289 · 21/02/2024 10:41

Omg I would hate this! Why are humans so gross. Can you ask to be moved? I'd put my foot down, is there any sanitiser that can be left near his desk but still that wouldn't make me feel better, I'd be fuming to be honest.