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  3. How to politely tell someone I'm actually busy

How to politely tell someone I'm actually busy

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  • H HobbyProggy

    Amazon.de: Do Not Disturb I'm Disturbed Enough As It Is! Blech-Wandschild zum Aufhängen[^] Hang it up when you need it, tell him when it's down you are free to talk.

    Rules for the FOSW ![^]

    if(!string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(_signature))
    {
    MessageBox.Show("This is my signature: " + Environment.NewLine + _signature);
    }
    else
    {
    MessageBox.Show("404-Signature not found");
    }

    K Offline
    K Offline
    Kschuler
    wrote on last edited by
    #15

    I worked at a place that would legit have "Do not disturb" hours for the staff. They were having issues with too many interruptions that were actually work related. So for a couple of distributed hours sets of people would have a sign up. It was to help people collect a list of questions before interrupting their supervisors instead of interrupting them every time they hit a question. Seemed to help.

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    • D Dominic Burford

      I have a work colleague who has a habit of disturbing me while I'm working. He's a great bloke in every other sense, but he will often disturb me while I'm working with non-work related conversations e.g. "Hey did you see this on the news this morning....." etc. These can occur at any time of the day, not just lunchtime. I appreciate his friendliness, but would also appreciate being left alone to get on with my job. I don't mind the work related discussion, but I find the non-work related chat a distraction. What's a polite way of telling them that I'm actually busy.

      "There are two ways of constructing a software design: One way is to make it so simple that there are obviously no deficiencies, and the other way is to make it so complicated that there are no obvious deficiencies. The first method is far more difficult." - C.A.R. Hoare Home | LinkedIn | Google+ | Twitter

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      PIEBALDconsult
      wrote on last edited by
      #16

      No idea... I wouldn't bother being polite.

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      • D Dominic Burford

        I have a work colleague who has a habit of disturbing me while I'm working. He's a great bloke in every other sense, but he will often disturb me while I'm working with non-work related conversations e.g. "Hey did you see this on the news this morning....." etc. These can occur at any time of the day, not just lunchtime. I appreciate his friendliness, but would also appreciate being left alone to get on with my job. I don't mind the work related discussion, but I find the non-work related chat a distraction. What's a polite way of telling them that I'm actually busy.

        "There are two ways of constructing a software design: One way is to make it so simple that there are obviously no deficiencies, and the other way is to make it so complicated that there are no obvious deficiencies. The first method is far more difficult." - C.A.R. Hoare Home | LinkedIn | Google+ | Twitter

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        D Offline
        dandy72
        wrote on last edited by
        #17

        Don't take your eyes off of your monitor, keep typing, but start leaning towards the other guy as if you were about to turn your head to face him, but don't do it just yet--clearly acknowledging his presence, but making it obvious you're trying to complete this one last thing before facing him. Then in one brisk move, bring your full attention back to your monitor as if you've just spotted an error that needs an immediate correction. Start over again. Do it a couple of times. Exaggerate it all like one of those extended Family Guy skits that takes forever to go anywhere.

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        • D Dominic Burford

          I have a work colleague who has a habit of disturbing me while I'm working. He's a great bloke in every other sense, but he will often disturb me while I'm working with non-work related conversations e.g. "Hey did you see this on the news this morning....." etc. These can occur at any time of the day, not just lunchtime. I appreciate his friendliness, but would also appreciate being left alone to get on with my job. I don't mind the work related discussion, but I find the non-work related chat a distraction. What's a polite way of telling them that I'm actually busy.

          "There are two ways of constructing a software design: One way is to make it so simple that there are obviously no deficiencies, and the other way is to make it so complicated that there are no obvious deficiencies. The first method is far more difficult." - C.A.R. Hoare Home | LinkedIn | Google+ | Twitter

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          K Offline
          kmoorevs
          wrote on last edited by
          #18

          If you are busy and it's nothing important, get into the habit of not acknowledging them immediately...maybe at least a 10 second pause before looking up, or finishing that line of code. Also, continuing to type while they talk can also get the point across. One trick I've not been able to master though is typing and talking at the same time. :laugh:

          "Go forth into the source" - Neal Morse

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          • D dandy72

            Don't take your eyes off of your monitor, keep typing, but start leaning towards the other guy as if you were about to turn your head to face him, but don't do it just yet--clearly acknowledging his presence, but making it obvious you're trying to complete this one last thing before facing him. Then in one brisk move, bring your full attention back to your monitor as if you've just spotted an error that needs an immediate correction. Start over again. Do it a couple of times. Exaggerate it all like one of those extended Family Guy skits that takes forever to go anywhere.

            K Offline
            K Offline
            kmoorevs
            wrote on last edited by
            #19

            Beat me to it and with much more flair and visual cues! Nice! :laugh:

            "Go forth into the source" - Neal Morse

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            • D Dominic Burford

              I have a work colleague who has a habit of disturbing me while I'm working. He's a great bloke in every other sense, but he will often disturb me while I'm working with non-work related conversations e.g. "Hey did you see this on the news this morning....." etc. These can occur at any time of the day, not just lunchtime. I appreciate his friendliness, but would also appreciate being left alone to get on with my job. I don't mind the work related discussion, but I find the non-work related chat a distraction. What's a polite way of telling them that I'm actually busy.

              "There are two ways of constructing a software design: One way is to make it so simple that there are obviously no deficiencies, and the other way is to make it so complicated that there are no obvious deficiencies. The first method is far more difficult." - C.A.R. Hoare Home | LinkedIn | Google+ | Twitter

              S Offline
              S Offline
              Slacker007
              wrote on last edited by
              #20

              Dominic Burford wrote:

              What's a polite way of telling them that I'm actually busy.

              Two words: starts with a capital F and ends in a lower case f, and has 7 letters total.

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              • P PIEBALDconsult

                No idea... I wouldn't bother being polite.

                S Offline
                S Offline
                Slacker007
                wrote on last edited by
                #21

                Exactly. :thumbsup:

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                • S Slacker007

                  Dominic Burford wrote:

                  What's a polite way of telling them that I'm actually busy.

                  Two words: starts with a capital F and ends in a lower case f, and has 7 letters total.

                  R Offline
                  R Offline
                  Rage
                  wrote on last edited by
                  #22

                  Fell off ? You ... push them ?

                  Do not escape reality : improve reality !

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                  • D Dominic Burford

                    I have a work colleague who has a habit of disturbing me while I'm working. He's a great bloke in every other sense, but he will often disturb me while I'm working with non-work related conversations e.g. "Hey did you see this on the news this morning....." etc. These can occur at any time of the day, not just lunchtime. I appreciate his friendliness, but would also appreciate being left alone to get on with my job. I don't mind the work related discussion, but I find the non-work related chat a distraction. What's a polite way of telling them that I'm actually busy.

                    "There are two ways of constructing a software design: One way is to make it so simple that there are obviously no deficiencies, and the other way is to make it so complicated that there are no obvious deficiencies. The first method is far more difficult." - C.A.R. Hoare Home | LinkedIn | Google+ | Twitter

                    C Offline
                    C Offline
                    Chris Maunder
                    wrote on last edited by
                    #23

                    Paste this[^] on his monitor

                    cheers Chris Maunder

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                    • D Dominic Burford

                      I have a work colleague who has a habit of disturbing me while I'm working. He's a great bloke in every other sense, but he will often disturb me while I'm working with non-work related conversations e.g. "Hey did you see this on the news this morning....." etc. These can occur at any time of the day, not just lunchtime. I appreciate his friendliness, but would also appreciate being left alone to get on with my job. I don't mind the work related discussion, but I find the non-work related chat a distraction. What's a polite way of telling them that I'm actually busy.

                      "There are two ways of constructing a software design: One way is to make it so simple that there are obviously no deficiencies, and the other way is to make it so complicated that there are no obvious deficiencies. The first method is far more difficult." - C.A.R. Hoare Home | LinkedIn | Google+ | Twitter

                      G Offline
                      G Offline
                      Gary Wheeler
                      wrote on last edited by
                      #24

                      I have a sign I place outside my cube that looks something like this:

                      Do Not Disturb Unless it's on fire

                      Software Zen: delete this;

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                      • C Chris Maunder

                        Paste this[^] on his monitor

                        cheers Chris Maunder

                        G Offline
                        G Offline
                        GuyThiebaut
                        wrote on last edited by
                        #25

                        :thumbsup: We have that in our kitchen at work.

                        “That which can be asserted without evidence, can be dismissed without evidence.”

                        ― Christopher Hitchens

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                        • D Dominic Burford

                          I have a work colleague who has a habit of disturbing me while I'm working. He's a great bloke in every other sense, but he will often disturb me while I'm working with non-work related conversations e.g. "Hey did you see this on the news this morning....." etc. These can occur at any time of the day, not just lunchtime. I appreciate his friendliness, but would also appreciate being left alone to get on with my job. I don't mind the work related discussion, but I find the non-work related chat a distraction. What's a polite way of telling them that I'm actually busy.

                          "There are two ways of constructing a software design: One way is to make it so simple that there are obviously no deficiencies, and the other way is to make it so complicated that there are no obvious deficiencies. The first method is far more difficult." - C.A.R. Hoare Home | LinkedIn | Google+ | Twitter

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                          G Offline
                          GuyThiebaut
                          wrote on last edited by
                          #26

                          As other have suggested headphones - they don't need to know you are not listening to music and you can always get an app that will play various different types of white noise.

                          “That which can be asserted without evidence, can be dismissed without evidence.”

                          ― Christopher Hitchens

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                          • D Dominic Burford

                            I have a work colleague who has a habit of disturbing me while I'm working. He's a great bloke in every other sense, but he will often disturb me while I'm working with non-work related conversations e.g. "Hey did you see this on the news this morning....." etc. These can occur at any time of the day, not just lunchtime. I appreciate his friendliness, but would also appreciate being left alone to get on with my job. I don't mind the work related discussion, but I find the non-work related chat a distraction. What's a polite way of telling them that I'm actually busy.

                            "There are two ways of constructing a software design: One way is to make it so simple that there are obviously no deficiencies, and the other way is to make it so complicated that there are no obvious deficiencies. The first method is far more difficult." - C.A.R. Hoare Home | LinkedIn | Google+ | Twitter

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                            L Offline
                            Lost User
                            wrote on last edited by
                            #27

                            This is how Hollywood demonstrates it: [Fuck Off - YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PRi0FT8uYMY)

                            D 1 Reply Last reply
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                            • D Dominic Burford

                              I have a work colleague who has a habit of disturbing me while I'm working. He's a great bloke in every other sense, but he will often disturb me while I'm working with non-work related conversations e.g. "Hey did you see this on the news this morning....." etc. These can occur at any time of the day, not just lunchtime. I appreciate his friendliness, but would also appreciate being left alone to get on with my job. I don't mind the work related discussion, but I find the non-work related chat a distraction. What's a polite way of telling them that I'm actually busy.

                              "There are two ways of constructing a software design: One way is to make it so simple that there are obviously no deficiencies, and the other way is to make it so complicated that there are no obvious deficiencies. The first method is far more difficult." - C.A.R. Hoare Home | LinkedIn | Google+ | Twitter

                              L Offline
                              L Offline
                              Lost User
                              wrote on last edited by
                              #28

                              Dominic Burford wrote:

                              What's a polite way of telling them that I'm actually busy.

                              I just fart and magically people leave of their own accord.

                              Michael Martin Australia "I controlled my laughter and simple said "No,I am very busy,so I can't write any code for you". The moment they heard this all the smiling face turned into a sad looking face and one of them farted. So I had to leave the place as soon as possible." - Mr.Prakash One Fine Saturday. 24/04/2004

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                              • D Dominic Burford

                                I have a work colleague who has a habit of disturbing me while I'm working. He's a great bloke in every other sense, but he will often disturb me while I'm working with non-work related conversations e.g. "Hey did you see this on the news this morning....." etc. These can occur at any time of the day, not just lunchtime. I appreciate his friendliness, but would also appreciate being left alone to get on with my job. I don't mind the work related discussion, but I find the non-work related chat a distraction. What's a polite way of telling them that I'm actually busy.

                                "There are two ways of constructing a software design: One way is to make it so simple that there are obviously no deficiencies, and the other way is to make it so complicated that there are no obvious deficiencies. The first method is far more difficult." - C.A.R. Hoare Home | LinkedIn | Google+ | Twitter

                                M Offline
                                M Offline
                                MarkTJohnson
                                wrote on last edited by
                                #29

                                I can see JSOP quietly pull out a handgun and lay it on the desk. I know he wouldn't REALLY do it but I can picture it in my mind.

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                                • C Chris Maunder

                                  Paste this[^] on his monitor

                                  cheers Chris Maunder

                                  D Offline
                                  D Offline
                                  Dominic Burford
                                  wrote on last edited by
                                  #30

                                  I'm going to Slack that to the team (and hope he takes the hint) :-D

                                  "There are two ways of constructing a software design: One way is to make it so simple that there are obviously no deficiencies, and the other way is to make it so complicated that there are no obvious deficiencies. The first method is far more difficult." - C.A.R. Hoare Home | LinkedIn | Google+ | Twitter

                                  1 Reply Last reply
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                                  • L Lost User

                                    This is how Hollywood demonstrates it: [Fuck Off - YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PRi0FT8uYMY)

                                    D Offline
                                    D Offline
                                    Dominic Burford
                                    wrote on last edited by
                                    #31

                                    Short and to the point :thumbsup:

                                    "There are two ways of constructing a software design: One way is to make it so simple that there are obviously no deficiencies, and the other way is to make it so complicated that there are no obvious deficiencies. The first method is far more difficult." - C.A.R. Hoare Home | LinkedIn | Google+ | Twitter

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                                    • D Dominic Burford

                                      Now that could come in very handy :thumbsup:

                                      "There are two ways of constructing a software design: One way is to make it so simple that there are obviously no deficiencies, and the other way is to make it so complicated that there are no obvious deficiencies. The first method is far more difficult." - C.A.R. Hoare Home | LinkedIn | Google+ | Twitter

                                      H Offline
                                      H Offline
                                      HobbyProggy
                                      wrote on last edited by
                                      #32

                                      Works for me so far, though you have to remember to put it down somewhen so the guys don't start ignoring it.

                                      Rules for the FOSW ![^]

                                      if(!string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(_signature))
                                      {
                                      MessageBox.Show("This is my signature: " + Environment.NewLine + _signature);
                                      }
                                      else
                                      {
                                      MessageBox.Show("404-Signature not found");
                                      }

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                                      • J Johnny J

                                        Doesn't work. I use that all the time, but my coworkers continue to talk to me all the same

                                        Anything that is unrelated to elephants is irrelephant
                                        Anonymous
                                        -----
                                        The problem with quotes on the internet is that you can never tell if they're genuine
                                        Winston Churchill, 1944
                                        -----
                                        Never argue with a fool. Onlookers may not be able to tell the difference.
                                        Mark Twain

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                                        M Offline
                                        Mike Winiberg
                                        wrote on last edited by
                                        #33

                                        What used to really get to me is people who would come in - often through a deliberately closed office door - and just start talking to me, even if I was already on the phone or talking to someone else! Even telling them to "f. off" has no effect!

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                                        • G Gary Wheeler

                                          I have a sign I place outside my cube that looks something like this:

                                          Do Not Disturb Unless it's on fire

                                          Software Zen: delete this;

                                          C Offline
                                          C Offline
                                          CHill60
                                          wrote on last edited by
                                          #34

                                          I would kill for a cube. It's completely open plan here. Can't hear yourself think this time of year for the endless chatter about who so-and-so is going to take to the xmas Do.

                                          G 1 Reply Last reply
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