How to politely tell someone I'm actually busy
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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
No idea... I wouldn't bother being polite.
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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
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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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
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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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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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
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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No idea... I wouldn't bother being polite.
Exactly. :thumbsup:
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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.
Fell off ? You ... push them ?
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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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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
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; -
: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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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
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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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
This is how Hollywood demonstrates it: [Fuck Off - YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PRi0FT8uYMY)
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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
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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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
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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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
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This is how Hollywood demonstrates it: [Fuck Off - YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PRi0FT8uYMY)
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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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
Works for me so far, though you have to remember to put it down somewhen so the guys don't start ignoring it.
if(!string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(_signature))
{
MessageBox.Show("This is my signature: " + Environment.NewLine + _signature);
}
else
{
MessageBox.Show("404-Signature not found");
} -
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
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The problem with quotes on the internet is that you can never tell if they're genuine
Winston Churchill, 1944
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Never argue with a fool. Onlookers may not be able to tell the difference.
Mark TwainWhat 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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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; -
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.
I would hate working in an open plan office. It's bad enough where I work when people are yakking on their phones and having aisle design reviews. At that, it's better than it was. Before our layoffs, we had most of our cubes occupied and the noise was obnoxious. Now, it's down to 1 in 4, if that :sigh:.
Software Zen:
delete this;