I don't know what to do

infinite monkey · 05-10-2011, 09:21 AM

I'm seriously at my wit's end.

There was a conversation in another thread about those of us who cannot stand mouth noises: gum chewing, eating with your mouth open, lip-smacking...

In the last couple weeks, my cow orker, my cube neighbor, who I really really like, seems to have gone off the deep end with the gum. It is ALL day, every day. Just constant little cracky slurpy type noises, but I can't STOP hearing them. When I think I've tuned it out...it seems to get LOUDER.

I've tried turning on a desk fan. I've worn earphones (then a girl got sort of snippy with me yesterday because she was standing behind me--people here like to sneak up like spiders) and I didn't hear her immediately.

I don't know what to do. I've tried to ignore it. I just can't. It goes on and on and on. I think I should just deal with it but everytime I hear it I get more and more tense. I was ready to jam a pencil in my eye yesterday: i was trying to concentrate on a particularly difficult issue and all I could hear is "snap...slurp...pop...crackle...slurp."

I found this article concerning the same thing. I SHOULD just say something to her, honestly. I just don't think I can bring myself to do this.

http://www.sector404.org/archives/20...wing-etiquette

Meanwhile, it's driving me straight bonkers.

I wish I were deaf to it. I wish I could ignore it. I wish it didn't bother me. But none of those things are true.

I never want to hurt her feelings. She's a darling person.

infinite monkey · 05-10-2011, 09:25 AM

P.S. I should also say I can deal with lunch noises. It's, at most, an hour.

footfootfoot · 05-10-2011, 09:26 AM

Humor always works. Have you tried something light hearted like
"Shut your fucking piehole you fat cow or I'll come over there and stuff this phone down your throat and staple your goddamn lips together."

HungLikeJesus · 05-10-2011, 09:28 AM

You could get yourself a set of wireless headphones. Then people sneaking up behind you know that you can't hear them; and you can listen to music or learn a foreign language.

Lots of people in my office do that.

Maybe I need to quit chewing gum.

infinite monkey · 05-10-2011, 09:31 AM

That's an idea.

I have a feeling the wigs of big will frown on wearing headphones. I might not hear the shooter and have time to escape.

I should maybe talk to the director, but GAWD it sounds so pathetic.

infinite monkey · 05-10-2011, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by footfootfoot

Humor always works. Have you tried something light hearted like
"Shut your fucking piehole you fat cow or I'll come over there and stuff this phone down your throat and staple your goddamn lips together."

No, THAT'S what runs through my head. Except the fat cow part. She's a tiny thing.

infinite monkey · 05-10-2011, 09:34 AM

Oh, and I have been known (to myself) to take an anti-anxiety just to try to not jam a pencil in my eye.

"Hey doc, can you refill that script?"

"Well, why did you run out?"

"My cow orker chews gum too much, and it's awful."

"Hmmm. OK. Here's a referreral." *hands me a card from the looney bin.*

footfootfoot · 05-10-2011, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by infinite monkey

No, THAT'S what runs through my head. Except the fat cow part. She's a tiny thing.

Karen Carpenter?

HungLikeJesus · 05-10-2011, 09:41 AM

Maybe get her a cone of silence.

Spexxvet · 05-10-2011, 09:49 AM

Lean over the cube wall, grin, and say "that thar gum sure does sound yummy. Could you, maybe, spare a piece for me?"

infinite monkey · 05-10-2011, 09:52 AM

I'll mull it over.

Just so you know, I meant talk to the director not in an "I'm tellin'!" way but maybe she could give a gentle reminder at the next staff meeting about "personal noises."

For now, I'm putting in my earbuds. Luckily, I won (through marlboro.com...HAHA) a pair that actually fits into my ears, though they give me a huge headache.

My ears were not meant for human consumption.

Trilby · 05-10-2011, 09:59 AM

her gum chewing is harshing your buzz in a very serious way - needing an anxiolytic because of this sounds like you should win this one.

that's too serious to just try to ignore. I'd tell her - in a really nice, non confron. way.

infinite monkey · 05-10-2011, 10:02 AM

I know. Such a wimp, I am. I don't want to cause ill feelings.

It feels so silly. Crazy. In my defense, there are people with super-sensitive hearing.

Example: when a Harley goes by, I think my head will explode.

Maybe I'm the Bionic Woman and I forgot.

BigV · 05-10-2011, 10:29 AM

earphones AND a rear view mirror.

I'm not kidding about the mirror.

infinite monkey · 05-10-2011, 10:32 AM

Some in my office have had the mirrors on their desks. See, they think we're 12 and we have to face with computers facing out and asses ready for kicking.

I can't stand to see a mirror accidentally, so I don't know about the mirror.

See, now I just need to be deaf AND blind.

05-10-2011, 09:21 AM	#1
infinite monkey Person who doesn't update the user title Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 13,002	I don't know what to do I'm seriously at my wit's end. There was a conversation in another thread about those of us who cannot stand mouth noises: gum chewing, eating with your mouth open, lip-smacking... In the last couple weeks, my cow orker, my cube neighbor, who I really really like, seems to have gone off the deep end with the gum. It is ALL day, every day. Just constant little cracky slurpy type noises, but I can't STOP hearing them. When I think I've tuned it out...it seems to get LOUDER. I've tried turning on a desk fan. I've worn earphones (then a girl got sort of snippy with me yesterday because she was standing behind me--people here like to sneak up like spiders) and I didn't hear her immediately. I don't know what to do. I've tried to ignore it. I just can't. It goes on and on and on. I think I should just deal with it but everytime I hear it I get more and more tense. I was ready to jam a pencil in my eye yesterday: i was trying to concentrate on a particularly difficult issue and all I could hear is "snap...slurp...pop...crackle...slurp." I found this article concerning the same thing. I SHOULD just say something to her, honestly. I just don't think I can bring myself to do this. http://www.sector404.org/archives/20...wing-etiquette Meanwhile, it's driving me straight bonkers. I wish I were deaf to it. I wish I could ignore it. I wish it didn't bother me. But none of those things are true. I never want to hurt her feelings. She's a darling person.

05-10-2011, 09:26 AM	#3
footfootfoot To shreds, you say? Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: in the house and on the street-how many, many feet we meet! Posts: 18,449	Humor always works. Have you tried something light hearted like "Shut your fucking piehole you fat cow or I'll come over there and stuff this phone down your throat and staple your goddamn lips together." __________________ The internet is a hateful stew of vomit you can never take completely seriously. - Her Fobs

05-10-2011, 09:28 AM	#4
HungLikeJesus Only looks like a disaster tourist Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: above 7,000 feet Posts: 7,208	You could get yourself a set of wireless headphones. Then people sneaking up behind you know that you can't hear them; and you can listen to music or learn a foreign language. Lots of people in my office do that. Maybe I need to quit chewing gum. __________________ Keep Your Bodies Off My Lawn SteveDallas's Random Thread Picker.

05-10-2011, 09:41 AM	#9
HungLikeJesus Only looks like a disaster tourist Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: above 7,000 feet Posts: 7,208	Maybe get her a cone of silence. __________________ Keep Your Bodies Off My Lawn SteveDallas's Random Thread Picker.

05-10-2011, 09:49 AM	#10
Spexxvet Makes some feel uncomfortable Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 10,346	Lean over the cube wall, grin, and say "that thar gum sure does sound yummy. Could you, maybe, spare a piece for me?" __________________ "I'm certainly free, nay compelled, to spread the gospel of Spex. " - xoxoxoBruce

05-10-2011, 09:25 AM	#2
infinite monkey Person who doesn't update the user title Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 13,002	P.S. I should also say I can deal with lunch noises. It's, at most, an hour.

05-10-2011, 09:31 AM	#5
infinite monkey Person who doesn't update the user title Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 13,002	That's an idea. I have a feeling the wigs of big will frown on wearing headphones. I might not hear the shooter and have time to escape. I should maybe talk to the director, but GAWD it sounds so pathetic.

05-10-2011, 09:34 AM	#7
infinite monkey Person who doesn't update the user title Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 13,002	Oh, and I have been known (to myself) to take an anti-anxiety just to try to not jam a pencil in my eye. "Hey doc, can you refill that script?" "Well, why did you run out?" "My cow orker chews gum too much, and it's awful." "Hmmm. OK. Here's a referreral." hands me a card from the looney bin.

05-10-2011, 09:52 AM	#11
infinite monkey Person who doesn't update the user title Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 13,002	I'll mull it over. Just so you know, I meant talk to the director not in an "I'm tellin'!" way but maybe she could give a gentle reminder at the next staff meeting about "personal noises." For now, I'm putting in my earbuds. Luckily, I won (through marlboro.com...HAHA) a pair that actually fits into my ears, though they give me a huge headache. My ears were not meant for human consumption.

05-10-2011, 09:59 AM	#12
Trilby Slattern of the Swail Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 15,654	her gum chewing is harshing your buzz in a very serious way - needing an anxiolytic because of this sounds like you should win this one. that's too serious to just try to ignore. I'd tell her - in a really nice, non confron. way. __________________ In Barrie's play and novel, the roles of fairies are brief: they are allies to the Lost Boys, the source of fairy dust and ...They are portrayed as dangerous, whimsical and extremely clever but quite hedonistic. "Shall I give you a kiss?" Peter asked and, jerking an acorn button off his coat, solemnly presented it to her. —James Barrie Wimminfolk they be tricksy. - ZenGum

05-10-2011, 10:02 AM	#13
infinite monkey Person who doesn't update the user title Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 13,002	I know. Such a wimp, I am. I don't want to cause ill feelings. It feels so silly. Crazy. In my defense, there are people with super-sensitive hearing. Example: when a Harley goes by, I think my head will explode. Maybe I'm the Bionic Woman and I forgot.

05-10-2011, 10:29 AM	#14
BigV Goon Squad Leader Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Seattle Posts: 27,063	earphones AND a rear view mirror. I'm not kidding about the mirror. __________________ Be Just and Fear Not.

05-10-2011, 10:32 AM	#15
infinite monkey Person who doesn't update the user title Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 13,002	Some in my office have had the mirrors on their desks. See, they think we're 12 and we have to face with computers facing out and asses ready for kicking. I can't stand to see a mirror accidentally, so I don't know about the mirror. See, now I just need to be deaf AND blind.

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