Odd Co-workers

[sarasota]

It would be very hard to described the entire situation, so here is a quick overview with a question.

Trying to keep my distance from odd (one rants endlessly like an insane street person; one is very immature; one is demeaning; etc) co-workers has resulted in an all or nothing situation. This means that I no longer have much to say to them and some say nothing to me. I've done whatever I could think of that would address this situation in a positive way (talking to them, arranging work area in a certain way, etc.), but it was an impossible situation to begin with. It's a very negative and nasty group. Not completely: but enough.

I continue to say hello, act professional, and add a bit of conversation when I feel it is safe, and I also try to keep a positive demeanor: but, I also limit my interaction with them. My job does not require me to rely on those in my immediate work group, the position is unionized and has job security and good benefits, and it also provides good experience. I keep my eyes open for transfers and consider moving.

If you are in, or have been in, a similar situation, what was your strategy to keep-on, keeping-on? Particularly when you've decided to limit conversation to just about nothing with some.

Odd situation, but I thought I'd throw it out there for some possible assistance.

Thanks

 

[simon482]

you're at work to make money not make friends. you don't need to be sociable while you are there and having been a boss at most places i work if i saw people standing around and talking instead of working i would get mad. if you have no more contact with them besides basic pleasantries consider yourself lucky.

 

[harryass]

I would treat them as the same way they treat you. I would not say anything (no good morning, no eye contact, etc) or acknowlege them fuckers at all. Funny when people require your help later they sure act different towards you... I would let them same fuckers wait longer than usual.

Find an opening elsewhere if one comes up, you don't need to work with shits like this.

 

[LKD]

let me guess, you work in a factory, industrial plant or some manual labour related job.

Too much drama goes around in those places because some don't have much to do, move themselves ahead and most are just too shallow/stupid which explains why they're in such jobs in the first place instead of some high paying investment banker job or so.

 

[sarasota]

let me guess, you work in a factory, industrial plant or some manual labour related job.

Too much drama goes around in those places because some don't have much to do, move themselves ahead and most are just too shallow/stupid which explains why they're in such jobs in the first place instead of some high paying investment banker job or so.

Gov't and mixed. Some have degrees and are in their field while others are as you describe. 'Drama' is a key term.

No exaggeration here: it's the culture to stand around and talk about one's self endlessly. Unlike simon482, most of management too feels talking about your thoughts, feelings, beliefs, etc. with the other employees is considered being a team player. Harry's right, too. There is one who has no issue acting anti-social for weeks but has no problem delivering a smile and conversation when something is needed.

I think I need to work on not taking it personally. That too would be hard to explain, but it kind of falls into the category of staying focused on goals and limiting distractions (fears and such).

Thanks again. I appreciate the comments.

 

[danislaw]

Unionized government jobs in particular seem to attract the nutbars, because these people couldn't get away with it in the private sector (generally - I'm told call centres are filled with freaks as well).

 

[Conway_Stewart]

I can totally relate to what you're saying. My co-workers are a bunch of idiots.

First, there is this one hot chick who is dumb as a bag of hammers and never does anything. I don't even know why she's there or what her job is supposed to be.

Then there's this other lesbian chick who is pretty smart but ugly as fuck.

And then there's this stoner guy who brings his dog to work and has a constant case of the munchies. He does fuck all...just eats all the time.

Oh yeah...and my job? We all drive around together in a van and solve mysteries and shit.

 

[Thunderballs]

I can totally relate to what you're saying. My co-workers are a bunch of idiots.

First, there is this one hot chick who is dumb as a bag of hammers and never does anything. I don't even know why she's there or what her job is supposed to be.

Then there's this other lesbian chick who is pretty smart but ugly as fuck.

And then there's this stoner guy who brings his dog to work and has a constant case of the munchies. He does fuck all...just eats all the time.

Oh yeah...and my job? We all drive around together in a van and solve mysteries and shit.

Funny, you had me going.

 

[Petzel]

Used to work in an office with a lady who had Tourette's Syndrome. She drove me crazy! Also another guy in his 40's (still single) who still lived with his mother and had bad BO.
Weirdos are everywhere in the work force.

 

[Petzel]

It would be very hard to described the entire situation, so here is a quick overview with a question.

Trying to keep my distance from odd (one rants endlessly like an insane street person; one is very immature; one is demeaning; etc) co-workers has resulted in an all or nothing situation. This means that I no longer have much to say to them and some say nothing to me. I've done whatever I could think of that would address this situation in a positive way (talking to them, arranging work area in a certain way, etc.), but it was an impossible situation to begin with. It's a very negative and nasty group. Not completely: but enough.

I continue to say hello, act professional, and add a bit of conversation when I feel it is safe, and I also try to keep a positive demeanor: but, I also limit my interaction with them. My job does not require me to rely on those in my immediate work group, the position is unionized and has job security and good benefits, and it also provides good experience. I keep my eyes open for transfers and consider moving.

If you are in, or have been in, a similar situation, what was your strategy to keep-on, keeping-on? Particularly when you've decided to limit conversation to just about nothing with some.

Odd situation, but I thought I'd throw it out there for some possible assistance.

Thanks

When i couldn't hack it anymore and i saw management wasn't going to remedy the situation I left and moved on. I'd reached my limit with ineffecient and uncapable ass kissers.

 

[buttercup]

Don't compromise your own standards. If you prefer being courteous, be unfailingly courteous. Don't let yourself fall into rudeness, just because they don't respond to, or return, your courtesies. You are how you behave, not how others behave.

 

[Buick Mackane]

You can win them over!
Keep a bottle of whiskey in your bottom drawer, offer to top up their coffee whenever you can.

 

[elwoodinontario]

I can totally relate to what you're saying. My co-workers are a bunch of idiots.

First, there is this one hot chick who is dumb as a bag of hammers and never does anything. I don't even know why she's there or what her job is supposed to be.

Then there's this other lesbian chick who is pretty smart but ugly as fuck.

And then there's this stoner guy who brings his dog to work and has a constant case of the munchies. He does fuck all...just eats all the time.

Oh yeah...and my job? We all drive around together in a van and solve mysteries and shit.

I quess that makes you the pusher or the pimp. Because we all know that only pushers and pimps wear Ascots.

 

[red]

It would be very hard to described the entire situation, so here is a quick overview with a question.

Trying to keep my distance from odd (one rants endlessly like an insane street person; one is very immature; one is demeaning; etc) co-workers has resulted in an all or nothing situation. This means that I no longer have much to say to them and some say nothing to me. I've done whatever I could think of that would address this situation in a positive way (talking to them, arranging work area in a certain way, etc.), but it was an impossible situation to begin with. It's a very negative and nasty group. Not completely: but enough.

I continue to say hello, act professional, and add a bit of conversation when I feel it is safe, and I also try to keep a positive demeanor: but, I also limit my interaction with them. My job does not require me to rely on those in my immediate work group, the position is unionized and has job security and good benefits, and it also provides good experience. I keep my eyes open for transfers and consider moving.

If you are in, or have been in, a similar situation, what was your strategy to keep-on, keeping-on? Particularly when you've decided to limit conversation to just about nothing with some.

Odd situation, but I thought I'd throw it out there for some possible assistance.

Thanks

are u sure you are at work and haven't woken in an asylum?

 

[Conway_Stewart]

I quess that makes you the pusher or the pimp. Because we all know that only pushers and pimps wear Ascots.

LOL:

1. I do not see why I should have to choose between these two professions;

2. FYI: The ascot is making a fashion comeback. I am at the cutting edge of this new trend!

 

[Mr Bret]

I suggest you read The Leader Who Had No Title by Robin Sharma.
It will help you make your workplace more enjoyable and pave the way for you to move on to bigger and better things.

 

[richaceg]

I have made a lot of friends in my work, of course there are always douches sprinkled here and there. Do I give a fuck? Nope. I punch in...work my ass off...wait for my pay and sprint my way to the nearest provider when I see fit. Douchebags are the last thing on my mind.

 

[Petzel]

I worked at the same place for 16 years and thought i had some good friends there. However when push came to shove and I was let go, I sued for wrongful dismissal and all these friends i thought i had, lied on their affadavits! You only find out who your true friends are when there's a test involved. It's easy for people to be friends at work.........until it might cost them something.

 

[Hangman]

I can totally relate to what you're saying. My co-workers are a bunch of idiots.

First, there is this one hot chick who is dumb as a bag of hammers and never does anything. I don't even know why she's there or what her job is supposed to be.

Then there's this other lesbian chick who is pretty smart but ugly as fuck.

And then there's this stoner guy who brings his dog to work and has a constant case of the munchies. He does fuck all...just eats all the time.

Oh yeah...and my job? We all drive around together in a van and solve mysteries and shit.

Well played, sir. How long have you been waiting for a dumb co-workers thread to use this?

 

[Hangman]

I quess that makes you the pusher or the pimp. Because we all know that only pushers and pimps wear Ascots.

Fred (not our Fred) wears an orange kerchief, not an Ascot..