How to Be Polite to an Annoying Coworker

Dealing with an annoying coworker is often the hardest part of your job. To promote a good atmosphere in the office, it is very important to be polite to your annoying colleague even if they have not earned your respect. Follow these guidelines to be polite to the annoying people working around you.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Greet your annoying coworker with a kind word. Ask about something they enjoy as this will help put them in a good mood by talking about something important to them.

2. Shower them with kindness. If you see an annoying coworker in need, offer to help them. This could be as simple as copying papers or helping them with a daunting project.

3. Offer to pick up something for them on your way to the file room or break room. If they seem busy, you should wait for better timing for this step.

4. Be mindful of your body language. If you seem uncomfortable or anxious around them, they will notice and could possibly point it out in a negative way.

5. Listen to what your annoying coworker has to say. You may have heard the same story about their problems many times before, but if you act interested they may treat you better in the future.

6. Speak appropriately to your annoying coworker. Use kind words with no foul language or slang. Stooping to their level is never good.

Tips & Warnings

• Basically, put your annoying coworker's needs before your own. This is the essence of being polite and will most likely diffuse a negative situation.
• If you have a disagreement about something, try to give them the benefit of the doubt. Confront them with kindness and respect.
• Do not be afraid to report your annoying coworker to your supervisor if you see that their attitude negatively affects their job performance or if they are verbally abusive.

[hownowbrowncow]

on 9/27/2007 I agree with being professionally polite. But careful with the helping. If they are territorial freaks, it will backfire!