How to Ignore Annoying People

Even when you have learned tolerance for everyone, sometimes there are those that you feel you just cannot tolerate. If someone annoys you, he or she may have invaded your personal space. If you start rehearsing what you want to say to an annoying person, you have already let him or her get the best of you. Instead of reacting, or wasting your time, it is a good practice to simply stay away, or avoid, annoying people.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Get away and stay away. If an annoying person is in your space, remove yourself as quickly as possible. If the person annoying you is a stranger, you have no obligations for response.

2. Avoid discussions. If you work with an annoying person, use email rather than meetings or personal discussions to communicate.

3. Use space and distance to focus your thoughts. If you are in an office meeting, and an annoying person just cannot cease uninteresting conversation, excuse yourself and bolt for a restroom. Once inside, breathe deeply, and think of something funny before you return to the meeting.

4. Stay in control of any conversation. If an annoying person that you know or work with draws you in to unavoidable conversation, feign confusion, wait for the clarification, and then thank the person before you exit quickly.

5. Remain patient and professional. If the annoying person in your life is a co-worker, do not complain to other co-workers. Pretend the annoyance does not exist.

6. Stay focused on what you want to accomplish in life. Discipline your thoughts and direct them toward things that benefit you. Do not waste your time and energy on superfluous or imaginary dialogue with an annoying person.

7. Use you imagination to your benefit. Imagine that the annoying person is harmless and clueless. Realize that this person will not be in your life forever.

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on 10/5/2007 Also, I'd say know the difference between annoying and harassment. Some annoying people cross a legal line that can get them disciplined or even removed from the company as long as you can document what they're doing and don't respond in kind.