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You don’t pick people for two things: your family and your job. Coworkers come as part of the package, bottom line.

And although sometimes a workplace is a perfect place to make connections and lasting friendships, other times the people you see 5 days a week can really, I mean, really get on your nerves. Whether your colleagues are always talking, always on their phone, or just always in your way, they can make your workday longer and harder.

We can’t control other people’s behavior, but we can surely vent about it. And since annoying coworkers are basically a universally relatable thing, no wonder the hashtag #ThingsAnnoyingCoworkersDo hit way too close to the bone for many people on Twitter. So pull your seat closer, we’re about to look at the funniest tweets people shared.

#1

Things-Annoying-Coworkers-Do

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KING ILLEGAL FOREST
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And leaving stinky food in the fridge for so long it's pretty much developed into its own ecosystem, then get mad you threw out their "good tupperware."

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Glenn Cuneo
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I was tossing c**p outta the fridge in the staff lounge (a school) and someone got so upset with it they went and said something to an administrator... "Mr cuneo is throwing out peoples lunches"... Noppity nope nope: I was tossing out bottles of salad dressing that was 6 years past it's "best by" date.... a jar of mayo that was brown, and only 4 years past it's best by date....

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Den Ver
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1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think this depends upon the culture, the type of fish, and how it is prepared. I had a co-worker bring fish once a year and the bitchy "Karen" who ranted and ran out of the room was a far bigger problem. The actual scent molecules from fish aren't more abundant or stronger than most other foods, they are just different. Different doesn't mean bad. How do the people who agree with this post react at fine restaurants when the table next to them orders seafood?

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Mrs. Jan Glass
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A strong fish smell/taste makes me gag. I've absolutely had to move when the adjacent table got one of those huge fish with the head on it. The sight, the smell, nope, I couldn't do any of it.

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Joles
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I tell new people that burning popcorn is a fireable offense.

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Jordi Sharpe
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My old nanny (RIP) would have beat your a*s for that. Lol. Sara was weird but she was our Sara.

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Keley Babs
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Some of us are trying really hard to eat better. I had a colleague who would always give me grief about microwaving broccoli or asparagus in the microwave. Meanwhile he's an uncontrolled diabetic and overweight

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Mac 🇺🇦
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As much as I like it, curry is another microwave non-no...can leave a lingering odor for a long time...

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Phryne
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There are a LOT of delicious foods that could be banned if the smell were the deciding factor...some people don't like strong smells (they made me gag and trigger migraines before I had covid). BUT the whole thing is totally subjective anyway. Who gets to decide what's bad and what's okay? Plus, it's often ethnic foods they complain about. Or the smell of coleslaw makes me GAG (always has). Can I forbid people eat that nasty, stinky, stuff just becauseI don't like it (I don't - as long as they don't stick it under my nose, why my family thinks is funny). Unless someone gets physically ill, people should just deal with it. Everyone eats SOMETHING that offends SOMEONE at SOME time.

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Wysteria_Rose
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Not only did we have a coworker who did this but she actually would ANNOUNCE it to everyone, like "oh, ha ha, sorry, everyone" which just made it more irritating cause she knew it smelled but still brought it.

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Kalevra
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As a rational person, i accept that people eat fish. Go ahead an heat it.

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Phryne
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Really? I eat egg salad all the time (it's cheap)...BUT I lost my sense of smell due to covid, so maybe I'm being obnoxious? Does it matter if I eat lunch alone at a separate table? Seriously, I've never heard this was a problem before...I don't want my co-workers to hate me!

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Jenny Barnes
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why? What’s wrong with fish? It doesn’t stink any worse than other food. I work with a lot of Indians. And they bring Curry. I think curry is nasty and hate the smell of it. I love fish, and its good for my health. Why can they bring their stinky curry and I can’t bring my fish?

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Karen Bryan
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Once had a coworker who liked to heat up kimchi in the microwave. If you are lucky enough never to have smelled this stuff--think very ripe sweatsocks.

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Lisa Zehr
Community Member
1 year ago

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Christine Ashe
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I had a coworker who decided that garlic was super healthy. He would warm up his dinner and it would clear the room, there was so much garlic in it.

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Alice
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I heat up fish in the office microwave. Sorry but not sorry. I don't understand the hate it's not worse than cheesy food (I live in France where cheeses have a very STRONG smell).

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Wondering Alice
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Once a guy at work opened up a fishy lunch, I told him I had a problem with the smell and politely excused myself to go the other side of the room. For some reason, he took offence and followed me saying it was no worse than when I used garlic. I tried to walk away, but he cornered me. That's how he got covered in vomit.

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gualm B
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I would have put as number one is asking for favors but never reciprocate. Had a coworker who would ask for a ride home. Then would suddenly realize she had to pick up her kids at daycare or had to stop at the store. One simple ride turns into Uber. I tried to avoid her.

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AnonymousApple
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I was that person. I love seafood. My boss finally asked me to stop lol.

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Do you have a coworker who is always talking? Or one who is always asking for favors? Maybe you have a coworker who is always trying to be the boss. Whatever the case may be, we all have that one coworker who is just plain annoying. If you're lucky, you can just avoid that person. But sometimes, you have to work with them on projects or tasks. And that can be torture.

But if you happen to already be in that situation where a colleague is getting on your nerves, you may want to think about a couple of things. First, it’s important to stay polite, whatever happens. Even if they are driving you crazy, it's important to be polite. Just bite your tongue and try to get through the interaction. In this way, you’ll make sure they don’t ruin your reputation.

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A second useful tip is not getting drawn into their drama. If they are always complaining or starting arguments, just walk away. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.

#7

Things-Annoying-Coworkers-Do

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NgatiDreadz
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh yes when this happens you should say "maybe you should act your wage Karen"

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#8

Things-Annoying-Coworkers-Do

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Monday
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If your lunch choice is a fish dish that you reheat in the communal microwave then your choices deserve to be judged.

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Setting boundaries is also crucial when dealing with annoying coworkers. If they are always asking for favors, make it clear that you're not going to do everything they ask. Set some limits so that you don't end up doing all the work. You may also want to make sure you keep your distance. Remember that you don't have to be best friends with this person. Just keep your interactions to a minimum and whenever they’re needed.

#10

Things-Annoying-Coworkers-Do

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Laura Ketteridge
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ah.. this one would be brought up with HR immediately. I'm crazy, but I value being able to breathe very highly. Cologne etc sets of my asthma, and it is not fun.

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If you feel like you're stuck in the corner and there’s not much to be done, the only option may be to talk to your boss or manager. They may be able to help you resolve the issue.

And after all, every workplace has its quirks: whether it’s the workings of the company, the flawed management or the people you have to work with, no work is perfect. Dealing with annoying coworkers may be tiring, to say the least, but in the end, it’s part of life.

#14

Things-Annoying-Coworkers-Do

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rspanther
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I would love to have hover cats as coworkers, people not so much.

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#15

Things-Annoying-Coworkers-Do

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Steve
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's when you need to have American Psycho next to your lunch as reading material.

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Meanwhile, according to Christine Mitterbauer, a licensed and ICF-approved career coach and serial entrepreneur, “it’s important that you stand your ground and don’t let yourself be intimidated by difficult coworkers, whether they’re negative, talking down to you, or making your work difficult in any other way.”

“Of course, you can try to interact as little as possible with the coworker, but that isn’t always possible,” the career coach added. Moreover, a great skill to practice is becoming better at having difficult conversations, she told us in an earlier interview.

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“Stick to negative behavior as that’s more objective and can more easily be verified by everyone involved. Practice exactly what you want to say beforehand, and consider getting other allies on board as well. Sometimes it is necessary to involve management, but it’s often better to only do this once you can demonstrate to the manager what you yourself have attempted to tackle the issue,” the career coach explained.

#21

Things-Annoying-Coworkers-Do

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Kathryn Baylis
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

God, the f*****g forward to all s**t. If it doesn’t concern me, do NOT junk up my inbox with your b******t.

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#22

Things-Annoying-Coworkers-Do

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Annemarie Mattheyse
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

THIS ^ I once had a cubicle neighbor who was in sales. He was on the phone ALL THE TIME, and had an extremely loud voice. I got over-ear headphones. They barely helped.

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#26

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Steve
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In most places where you're underpaid, you're only earning your wage.

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#27

Things-Annoying-Coworkers-Do

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Justme
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I won’t do a whole manicure- but I’ll clip a single nail that’s bothering me. Sometimes I do t realize it needs attention until I start typing on my keyboard.

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#28

Things-Annoying-Coworkers-Do

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Kathryn Baylis
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Then sing along with it out loud when they can’t carry a tune if it had a handle.

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#30

Things-Annoying-Coworkers-Do

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Justme
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This and the people who go around saying “It’s Friday!”. Yeah, I know, I have a calendar.

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Note: this post originally had 90 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.

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