How to hint to chatty people at work that I need to get back to work

[Anonymous]

You're probably too polite and probably like to engage and they're getting mixed messages. Just don't engage.
It's not rude to say, I need to get back to work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Oh, wow, I hear you. Here are a few hints:
- stand up and go to the bathroom
- Have a handy empty water bottle and stand up and pick it up and say "Gotta get my steps in, I'll see you soon."
- When you see someone coming, pick up the phone and pretend to dial a number. If they don't get the hint, just mouth "I'll swing by later"
- Look directly at your screen as they talk and then do an "Aww, shoot, hey, I gotta get to this thing. Thi se-mail is just crazy!"
- Write a bunch of notes as they're coming into the office and then just say "I"m sorry, I have to get these talking poitns out soon"
- Make sure to keep any random chairs full of papers or whatever.

OP here. LOL! These are genuinely funny, especially the ones about picking up the phone and pretending to dial a number, and putting paper on chairs. I'm going to try these!

[Anonymous]

I have an older, single coworker that has this problem. I have lunch with him once a week, so when he is too chatty during non-lunch times, I say, "Bob, this is interesting, but I have to finish XYZ assignment. Let's talk about this more when we go to lunch this week."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I can relate. I am in my 40's and there are several 20-somethings in my office who seem a bit needy. Maybe they like chatting with me because I'm a mom.

When I was in my 20's, I wouldn't have dreamed of taking up the time of a working mom in my office. They always seemed so frenzied and stressed out.

I try to avoid looking frenzied (even though I am frenzied). And I do genuinely enjoy the company of my chatty colleagues. I hate cutting people off when they're talking, but it really frustrates me to burn time at the office chit chatting.

I would be a little more subtle with the humblebrag. They're 20-something women who enjoy mindless chatter. As a fellow 20-something there is really no situation in which I, my friends, or any similar-aged coworkers are actively seeking out the 40's mom in the office for chit-chat.

[Anonymous]

Do these chatty Cathys report to you?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You're probably too polite and probably like to engage and they're getting mixed messages. Just don't engage.
It's not rude to say, I need to get back to work.

This. Just be honest and say you are swamped. I have friends at work and we are very chatty at times. But we have also learned how to say "no, not right now."

[Anonymous]

Yeah I just look at my watch and say, sorry I need to prep for my next call/meeting/ need to call X

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can relate. I am in my 40's and there are several 20-somethings in my office who seem a bit needy. Maybe they like chatting with me because I'm a mom.

When I was in my 20's, I wouldn't have dreamed of taking up the time of a working mom in my office. They always seemed so frenzied and stressed out.

I try to avoid looking frenzied (even though I am frenzied). And I do genuinely enjoy the company of my chatty colleagues. I hate cutting people off when they're talking, but it really frustrates me to burn time at the office chit chatting.

I would be a little more subtle with the humblebrag. They're 20-something women who enjoy mindless chatter. As a fellow 20-something there is really no situation in which I, my friends, or any similar-aged coworkers are actively seeking out the 40's mom in the office for chit-chat.

Lol, ditto. In fact, it's usually the annoying mom-types at work that inappropriately jump into conversations and start giving unsolicited advice, when no one was even talking to them.

[Anonymous]

They have these things called Desk traffic lights. Green means you are available for a chat and red means do not talk to me, in busy working.

[Anonymous]

George pretends to be busy at work by looking annoyed.

perhaps a good technique to us, OP

[Anonymous]

Oo! I had this problem, BIG TIME. The only thing that worked was standing up, then walking towards their desk. It totally works! Try it!