Avoiding the Chatterazzi: How to Deal with Talkative Co-Workers

We all have that one person at work that just won't seem to stop talking. We'll be head down, deep into our work when low and behold; here comes Chatty Cathy, ready to ramble our ears off. If you're like me and probably most other office workers, you listen politely; nodding when appropriate and speaking the occasional "yeah" and "mhmm". But, there is a better way. Imagine actually silencing that chatter box and keeping up with your work, stopping for chit chat on your own time. Check out these tips for avoiding the chat trap.

Honesty

It's very tempting to concoct some scheme to slyly shut the chatter up but really, honesty is the best policy. For most of us, stopping for that long chat is only annoying when we have a lot of work to do and are being interrupted. So, how about you tell your babble offender that? Simply explain in a polite manner that you really enjoy talking with him or her, but you have a ton of work to do. Maybe even throw in a, "Can it wait?" This will show that you do care and are interested; you just don't have the time.

Preoccupation

Ok, now we get into the scheming. People want to be paid attention to when they're talking. Some may find it rude, but if your offender strolls in and starts running off at the mouth, remain focused on your work (or at least pretend) by staring at the computer screen or at the papers on your desk. This gives them the idea that it's not a good time as you're in the middle of something. They may get a little miffed at your lack of interest, but it's a small price to pay. If they completely disregard your attempts and continue to speak, refer to the first tip above.

Oops, I forgot to...

If all of the other attempts fail, try the "Oops, I forgot" line. You'll either need a phone or the chance to storm off, but it's pretty fail-safe. When the chatterazzi shows up at your desk, let them get a few words in. Then jump in with an enthusiastic, "Oops, I forgot to call Tom back! Please excuse me," and pick up the phone and start dialing. Or, "Oops, I totally forgot Jennifer needed to see me. We'll catch up later," and storm out quickly to an undisclosed location. It's not the most honest thing you can do, but it will work.

Chit Chat Hours

We all need structure or rules, even for talking. Obviously, the person wasting your time with a sermon every few hours needs a little direction. Setting times for breaks is the perfect opportunity to tell that person you are off limits until the designated time. Don't feel like you have to be too liberal with the amount of breaks you take as you know your boss will have a copy of this schedule too. If lunch is the only time you want to allow, make it known to the entire office, but especially your talkative friend.

Last Resort

Okay, so nothing has worked. They just don't seem to take the hint. Day in and day out, the chatting continues. It's time to pull out the big guns. If you feel that this person's constant interruptions are holding you back from doing your work, or just a general pain in your tookus, go to your supervisor. Explain the situation and how it is affecting you and your work. Tell them that you've tried to alleviate the problem yourself, but your attempts have been in vain. Your boss will likely handle the situation, but you must understand that it may drive a wedge between you and the chatterer. Be prepared for your encounters to become awkward.

If you're faced with a co-worker who just can't seem to shut their mouth, you know that it often feels hopeless. But, your work doesn't have to suffer. Stay vigilant in your attempts to avoid them and speak to your supervisor about it as a last resort. Ultimately, that talkative person will drag you down if you let them.