Incessant talker at work

[Anonymous]

I work in an open office with several cubes and there is this one guy who talks a lot and really loudly. He has no filter and says things without thinking and often says offensive things. He is also insecure and constantly needs reassurance that he will be included in social activities with the guys so we all have to endure his constant asking about the game on last night or whether someone is going to workout or whatever else he needs to ask about at that moment. We have flexible schedules and it would be great if we could work when he isn't around but he is always there. So he has time to work because he comes in super early and leaves super late but during the work day he interrupts everyone elses' work by his chattering. Anyone have any suggestions on how to get him to STFU?

[Anonymous]

Don't you have a supervisor? If you can't talk to him/her, go to HR so that perhaps they can gently suggest some professional development classes for him.

Please be sensitive.

[Anonymous]

OMG - do you work with my BIL?

He is the nicest guy, but in the last few years he has turned into an incessant talker. It started after a bad break-up, and never stopped. One time his phone was in his pocket and he accidently called our home when he was at work, and there was this recording of him talking some co-workers ear off.

I wish I could give you advice, I really do, but I've tried everything in the book. Has anyone tried being direct and just telling him that you don't have time to talk and that you need to work. If so, I think the next real step is having a manager or human resources sit down with him and explain that while it is nice to be social, that he needs to limit his talking. Heck, you could even all pretend you got the same lecture so when he starts you coudl say "sorry, but our manager told me that we shouldn't be chatting so much.

[Anonymous]

We have supervisors but they are in and out of the area so unless you spent all day with us you might not know this went on pretty much all day everyday. Part of the problem is that he talks to different people throughout the day so after he is done with one person he will move onto the next. And because he doesn't seem to be able to read other people well, he doesn't get the hint that all his talking and calling out is distracting. People pretend they don't hear him so I think he takes that as reality. They are being polite but he does not seem to understand that. The other thing is that if we told a supervisor it would probably look like we were tattletales.

[Anonymous]

Benign look in your eyes, lean forward and put your hand on his arm: "Thomas, I like you but you talk too much and I cannot concentrate! I need quiet right now. Let's talk later. Bye."
Smile kindly, turn around and get back to work.

If he cannot read people, then nothing but the direct approach will do.

[Anonymous]

We have a guy like that, he also has a loud voice that carries to top it off. We call him foghorn leghorn.

We call each other when he's chatting. So he'll be at someone's desk for 5 mins or so and one of the others will call that person. That then gives that person the chance to say "oh, I have to take this" and get rid of him.

[Anonymous]

Look like you are listening to an Ipod by putting headphones in. Then when he starts to talk, smile, point to the earphones and turn back around.

[Anonymous]

Is the problem that he's talking to YOU or that he's talking loudly around you? If he's talking loudly around you, get a pair of headphones and download a white noise app. If he's talking TO you, it sounds like the direct approach is all that's going to work. Speak with him for a moment and then say, "I'm sorry, but I've really got to get back to work."

Having a bad personality is not a crime and you're not going to change him by talking to a supervisor. All you can do is try to protect your own ability to get your work done.

[Anonymous]

The problem is that he is talking loudly to and around me and everybody else who he isn't talking to at the moment. Sometimes when others are having a quiet conversation or he sees someone standing, he'll pop up from his cube if he is sitting and ask, "Hey, what are you guys talking about?" and join in. He has a strange monotone voice and says weird things so I sometimes wonder if there is actually something wrong with him.

[Anonymous]

I am a professional trainer. I have strategies for individuals who have good intentions, but the impact on others is disruptive.

For extreme talkers, I give them a project. Something they have to work on that requires lots of individual attention. Doesn't have to be a work project. . .

[Anonymous]

More work won't work with this guy. He comes in very early and leaves late. I think he only goes home to shower, change, sleep and come back to work. To talk some more the next day.

[Anonymous]

HR..

[Anonymous]

OP, you're going to have to learn how to tune him out. Also, hold off on your bathroom breaks and snack breaks until he is near, then head off to the bathroom or snack machine.

[Anonymous]

Good luck. I am also in an open cube environment. The woman next to me talks nonstop, but not to other people, it's a running monologue of her entire today. "Hmm, where did I put that file. Ok, found it. Now let me pull out the phone number so I can call and leave a message for that person. Done. What next? That's right, I need to call the travel dept and get my travel orders for that trip next month to the home office." The only good news is that she comes in 2hrs after me, so I only have to listen for 6hrs instead of 8.

And, I work in an environment where iPods aren't allowed. Drives me CRAZY!!