One of my co-workers (we'll call her Nice) is the mother of a friend of mine (that's how I got a foot in the door). She is very sweet and is sorta a mother hen, while still maintaining a professional, respectful relationship with me.
The other co-worker (we'll call her Annoying) is a lot like my mother. She has all the same mannerisms as Mom and she even looks like her. I don't get along with her...not at all. She drives me crazy.
Today, Annoying asked Nice a question. Apparently, it was one that I could have answered easily, but I didn't answer it because I was not listening because Annoying did not ask me the question...and because of that, I tuned out the conversation to, y'know, get some
Annoying, under her nasty coffee dragon breath, muttered nastily "Don't you listen???"
EXCUSE ME?
No, Annoying, I do not listen. Not when you've been talking for a million hours about something that you specifically addressed someone else about.
So, instead of letting her snide comment go, which I usually do, because I'm a pushover, I said "Annoying -- I don't generally answer questions that aren't addressed to me and when you specifically address someone else, I tune out because I have work to do."
Part of me wishes I had just jumped over the cubicle and onto her back while pulling her hair and yelling "I'M NOT LISTENING! I'M NOT LISTENING!," but she's, like, 73, and whenever I think about how much I don't like her I feel guilty because it sorta feels like I'm hatin' on my own mother.
I don't know why Annoying thinks she can treat me like I'm an idiot. I'm not. She may be 3X my age, she may be wiser, she may have more life experience...but there's no excuse for her to treat me without respect. I get the feeling she feels justified in doing so because of our age differences.
2 comments:
Hi A.C. I found your blog through . . . someone's comment page, but that was a few days ago and I can't remember which one. Anyway, I'm enjoying your posts.
As for the Annoying problem you have: I can relate. There's a guy at work who, whenever he starts talking, I completely tune out, because the mere sound of his voice makes the hair stand up on the back of my neck.
Personally, I think your response to Annoying was appropriate (depending on your tone--as long as it wasn't too nasty). The thing to try to remember is to be professional, show respect., and cover your backside.
Hi Phyllis! Thanks for dropping by and leaving a comment!
Co-workers can be difficult! I think my tone in my response to Annoying was fine...not nasty, but annoyed enough to send the message that I didn't like her comment. And her voice makes my skin crawl, too :)
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