Those of us who work at open offices, or cube farms, have to deal with a lot of loud jerks (crowd: “Amen”). Truth is, YES this is a fantastic arrangement that encourages brainstorming (or brain splatter) but cube farms can be a real bitch. Here’s how to avoid shooting your colleague’s head off :)
1. “Hi, I’m Marvin. Headphones are my best friends.”
Put on your headphones, sweetheart. And hang on tight. EDM has a fabulous way of filtering the crap and helping me concentrate. Sometimes, I even go to calm.com; they have some amazing sounds that take me to a different world. The sound of rain in a forest is my favourite - just me, my Macbook, and a rainy forest outside my cabin.
1. “Hi, I’m Marvin. Headphones are my best friends.”
Put on your headphones, sweetheart. And hang on tight. EDM has a fabulous way of filtering the crap and helping me concentrate. Sometimes, I even go to calm.com; they have some amazing sounds that take me to a different world. The sound of rain in a forest is my favourite - just me, my Macbook, and a rainy forest outside my cabin.
2. “It’s time we took a break…”
Maybe you’re the old sore. Maybe your co-workers are yapping because they need a break, and chances are, you need one too! Drink juice, go for a walk, eat a raisin or just join in the conversation. I don't like to join in conversations.
3. Operation Killjoy
This is where you basically tell them to shut up. If you say it nicely, they’ll listen, feel ashamed and then offer their heads to the great Azra in exchange for sweet corn that they won’t know how to eat because they just offered their HEADS TO THE GREAT AZRA OH NO.
Maybe you’re the old sore. Maybe your co-workers are yapping because they need a break, and chances are, you need one too! Drink juice, go for a walk, eat a raisin or just join in the conversation. I don't like to join in conversations.
3. Operation Killjoy
This is where you basically tell them to shut up. If you say it nicely, they’ll listen, feel ashamed and then offer their heads to the great Azra in exchange for sweet corn that they won’t know how to eat because they just offered their HEADS TO THE GREAT AZRA OH NO.
4. “But, Mom!”
Mom in this scenario is either the HR or any kind of manager or administrator. Complain about these loudmouths, go on, no one’s looking, quick. I avoid this, by the way. I make it a point to avoid any confrontation at any avoidable cost. Many costs are avoidable.
5. Bring-your-Bazooka-to-work Day
At least you tried.
Mom in this scenario is either the HR or any kind of manager or administrator. Complain about these loudmouths, go on, no one’s looking, quick. I avoid this, by the way. I make it a point to avoid any confrontation at any avoidable cost. Many costs are avoidable.
5. Bring-your-Bazooka-to-work Day
At least you tried.