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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

JCollinsMA Report

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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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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.

#5

Things-Annoying-Coworkers-Do

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

And it's a question that has already been addressed/answered 3 times in the meeting

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Mattewis88
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Every single Friday. Same guy, same dumb questions (usually about something unrelated) which makes the boss talk for another 20mins about something none of us care, or get paid to care about. Now we send him Skype msgs 5min before meeting time to tell him to shut up and he still does it.

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

It's their last chance for attention before being ignored for the rest of the day.

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

Probably was that one kid in your class that always asked if there was any homework...right before the end of class and everyone was hoping the teacher had forgotten to assign it!

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

I worked from home (well before Covid) and only went into the office on Mondays, mainly to print checks. I told the owner multiple times that I had to leave by 2:50 to catch my bus. I am so not kidding, that stupid jacka*s would start asking me questions AS I WAS GATHERING MY STUFF TO LEAVE. I was stupid enough to stay and answer whatever inane f*cking bullsh*t he was asking me about. Now - catching the bus was the least of it. The bus took me to the trolley station where I would STILL have to catch 2 more buses to get home. I'm talking 2+ hours. I finally snapped. "Hey, Jon? Here's an idea. Why don't you figure this sh*t out BEFORE I have to leave to catch the bus?" He started sputtering as I'm grabbing my bag & I just said, "Send me an email. I'll look at it in the morning. FYI - we're not curing cancer".

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

It's always the same one or two people, I swear they do it to try and look good to the boss... like they care more or something

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

As a corporate trainer I had to hold a separate 1 on 1 session just for that one person.

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

And it's usually a question they've already asked three times and others have already asked three times. Then they argue with the supervisor. Next meeting, they ask the same question.

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

Oh see you're someone who actually likes your job. For the rest of us, we do this purposely sometimes to stretch out the meetings. Honestly I'd rather have a meeting than be back on phones talking to stupid people. Trust me those people know exactly what they're doing and DO NOT CARE if you don't like it. Be mad, but be mad while I get an extra 20 minutes off the floor.

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Happy Blue Panda
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A guy just got demoted into my department (rather than paying him severance) and he was dumber than i thought. His questions in our meetings are something else.

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

And that question, no doubt added at least another 30 minutes to the meeting

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robman1ok1 Hernandez
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I know my coworkers well enough that before the meeting starts I address the group and say if you have any questions ask them after the meeting on their time so the rest of us can get back to our time.

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Kathryn Baylis
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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

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Annemarie Mattheyse
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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

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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

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Kathryn Baylis
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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

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Justme
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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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