This may be too obvious, but...have you thought about saying something in a kind but discreet way? That's what I would do...and that's what I would prefer if I were the officemate chewing gum. I would definitely want to know if I were engaging in an annoying behavior.

I used to work with someone who would drink her coffee and smack her lips after every single freaking sip and say "ahh". It drove me nuts. I feel your pain OP.

That would drive me NUTS! No advice for you because I honestly don't know what I would do in the same situation.

I have ppl who clip their nails in my office too...disgusting. How were these people raised?

OMG. I would go insane. When I used to consult, I sat next to a woman at a crowded conference table for 3 long months who would loudly chomp an apple every morning. I had to go take a walk, it was so utterly vexing. I'm pretty nonconfrontational too though so I never said anything. Probably should have.

PP: gross. how unsanitary.

My secretary clips her nails at her desk. It drives me INSANE. I can even hear it when I close the door because her desk is right outside of my office.

But, I haven't said anything. I should give her a gift certificate to a nail salon or something.

Anonymous wrote:Punch her in the face

+1. Please video tape it and add it to the thread.

Yeah just be up front about it and politely ask her to stop. And do this now. Don't let this continue. It will make you angry and resentful and she might think it's ok the longer you don't say a word.

Anonymous wrote:is she black?

What difference does this make? Are you suggesting the response would be different if she were or were not black? The point is that the officemate is doing something annoying, obnoxious and rude and how the OP should deal with it.

I know you want to avoid confrontation, but you should just speak up politely and say "I'm sorry, but I'm having problems concentrating. Can you please chew your gum quietly?"

is she black?

Punch her in the face

I approached it head on when it happened to me. Sadly, it only got worse. Good luck.

I find it extremely annoying and has been wearing headphones to tune her out. But I can still hear the smacking noise through the headphones. I'm the non-confrontational type but I think really have to say something 'cuz I might just snap and punch her in the face. I've only been sharing the office with her for a few months and the gum chewing started last week. What's the best way to approach this?