Intrusive colleague

[fido]

I'm not sure what is the best way to deal with a colleague of mine. Not sure this one deserves to be put in the Lounge, and the usual 'send him a mail' comments

The guy likes to stand right over my shoulder (with little warning) and often comes right up to my screens (commenting on what i am working on) - so close that i can hear him breathing in my ear. Now i'm pretty sure he's not gay (married, kids, etc.) but it's getting quite annoying. He also asks too many question about personal matters - maybe i'm a bit 'antisocial' but there is a dividing line for general banter and being nosey. For example, if we're talking about houses, cars (which he always initiates) then he'll ask "how much was did that cost?". Ok, I get that from my layabout/university-based/bohemian chums but not from my fellow city workers as we're all on decent salaries (one assumes).

He's stopped it now, as i have been a bit unfriendly towards him in recent days with regards to his unhelpfulness on work-related stuff.

[muppetdave]

Mrs used to have this with one of her colleagues/now-friends. She just told her bluntly (but politely) that certain information was none of her business, seemed to have solved it. On the friend's part, she was just very materialistic, there was no harm meant. It solved the problem though.

[DarrenL]

• bad aussie accent* You wanna beat a leaner, you gotta become a SHOUTER!

[CommanderJameson]

muppetdave said:

Mrs used to have this with one of her colleagues/now-friends. She just told her bluntly (but politely) that certain information was none of her business, seemed to have solved it. On the friend's part, she was just very materialistic, there was no harm meant. It solved the problem though.

Yep. Some people just need to be told. They might not even be all that offended. After all, they're insensitive enough to just shove their neb in when it's not wanted; they might be operating on the "well, if it bothered you, you'd say something" principle.

[cqueen]

We have a slob in our office who does this, only he burps and exhales on you as he's talking to you (or rather hijacking your pc).

People have made less than subtle remarks, but he is completly oblivious!

[fido]

Ok, i tried to shouty thing and things kicked off a bit. He's gone into a denial phase and trying to appear as the innocent one. FFS - looks like Operation Thrush has commenced. Thrush = irritating c*.

[CommanderJameson]

fido said:

Ok, i tried to shouty thing and things kicked off a bit. He's gone into a denial phase and trying to appear as the innocent one. FFS - looks like Operation Thrush has commenced. Thrush = irritating c*.

In these matters, change, even though it might not seem so at the time, is almost always progress.