Coworkers who can't take a hint... ARGH!

materialsgirl

materialsgirl

Cathlete
Okay, let me preface this by saying that all of my coworkers are great people. I like them all, don't have any issues with any of them, they are all nice people and easy to work with. BUT, there is this one guy who drives me crazy. Every time he walks past my cubicle, he always leans his head in to look at what is on my computer screen. Like it's any of his business! (And it's not.) Then he starts commenting on the things that are on my computer screen. Like "Hey, that model looks familiar - Jim's sidebar protectors?" or "Have you read that email yet - it's pretty interesting." Yes, he will stand there and scan my email Inbox to see if there's anything interesting. I find this to be an invasion of my privacy, even though in a large corporation, I know I don't technically have any privacy. After he has perused my computer screen for a few moments, then he starts chit-chatting. And it goes on and on and on. And I try to turn around and face my computer screen and start trying to work on whatever I was working on, but he just won't get the hint. Just keeps talking and asking questions. The talking and talking isn't so bad - he's a nice enough guy. But the blatant evaluation of what I'm doing on my computer is really irritating. There's no way for me to move my monitor so it can never be seen. If there was any glare in here, I would request one of those anti-glare monitor covers (because you can only see the monitor when sitting right in front of it). But glare is not a problem here. And I don't think I could say "Stop looking at my computer, ya big doof!" (It probably doesn't help that I have a 23" monitor - people in airplanes can probably see my email Inbox - but at least they aren't obviously TRYING to look at it like this guy is.)

What's a private girl to do?
 
Next time he does it, leap up and gouge his eyes out, then yell "THAT'LL TEACH YA FOR LOOKING AT MY COMPUTER SCREEN!!!".}(

I have a problem with subtlety, it would seem.
 
Have someone send you an email with a subject line of: Nosy jerks should mind their own business and keep their eyes off my computer!! Then wait until he does his thing to bring up that email.

If that doesn't work, gouge out his eyes like Shelley suggested.
 
LOL! Okay Shelley, I'll try it. But if I get fired for creating a "hostile work environment", it will be all your fault.
 
Seriously, though, when he does it next time, could you pointedly turn your screen away from him so that he can't see it? That would probably be enough to let him know that you don't want him looking. And if he asks why you did it, just let him know that you don't feel comfortable with people looking at your work.
 
Press the Alt-Spacebar-N keys... this will minimize your window in the flick of an eye. Then turn around and look right in HIS eyes and make sure he gets the hint that you did it because he was there! (Seriously, people like that need to be dealt with head on or they think their behavior is okay.)

That is really terrible professional courtesy, by the way. I always avert my eyes in other people's offices....

Good luck,
Marie
 
Why can't you just close your email screen? When you hear the guy coming just get into another program. Just a thought...
Debbie in OH
 
I have a "privacy screen" over my monitor. It can also be called an anti-glare screen, but it's real purpose is for privacy. I handle confidential material on my job and don't necessarily want people looking over my shoulder. Request one of these from your supply purchaser, and tell them you want it because a coworker is always coming into your cubicle and reading your computer screen.

Also, hit the minimize button immediately when he comes into your computer. MAKE IT OBVIOUS. Don't think you're being rude. He's being rude, you're being "tactful" when you minimize your screen. If he asks, "Why did you do that?" Just honestly tell him, "It bothers me that you come in and read my computer screen all the time." Be nice, but be honest...say it with a smile on your face and be pleasant about it. If he's smart, he will get the hint. If he's not, then you will have to keep minimizing your screen when he enters your cubicle until he gets the point. You actually may want to call him on his actions, as well (if you feel courageous enough), and ask "Why do you always read my computer screen when you come into my cubicle? It really bothers me that you do that."

Now, how to get him out of your cubicle when he wants to talk and talk and talk: Don't try to look busy, because that obviously isn't working - he's not getting the hint. You will just have to tell him, "John (or whatever), I need to get back to work." Or you can say, "Do you need something to do? Is that why you're in my cubicle?" or you can be really direct and say, "John, I'm sorry, but I don't have time to talk to you right now." or maybe "Do you not have work to do?"

It concerns me that this guy wants to hang out in your cubicle so much and talk to you. It sounds a little creepy, and I would watch this guy, if I were you. I wouldn't trust him too much, either.
 
Thanks everyone for your advice. I have an icon next to my Start button that allows me to minimize all of my open windows instantly - I just never used it before because I didn't want to come across as cold or unfriendly. But I suppose you all are right, I should just click the icon when he comes by and be direct. He's not a creepy guy at all - I didn't mean to give that impression. He's very nice, and he's chatty with everyone, not just me. He probably looks at everyone's computer screens. Just nosy, I guess. Okay, so next time he comes by, I'll minimize everything. And we'll see how that goes....

Thanks!
 
It's none of this guys business what is on your screen...and certainly not what is in your in-box. Don't be afraid of seeming rude (he's the rude one...why are most of us concerned about being "rude" to other people who are the ones being rude?). Minimize the screen. Rearrange your office so that it's difficult for someone to look at your screen.

Subtlely is often lost on rude people. I have a colleague with a student who picks his nose...looks at what treasure he's dug up...and eats it! She's been worried about how to approach him without being rude, and all her subtle hints (giving him a kleenex, etc.) are not working.
 
>Subtlely is often lost on rude people. I have a colleague
>with a student who picks his nose...looks at what treasure
>he's dug up...and eats it!

Okay, that's not rude - it's GROSS! EWWW! x(
 
Though it might be a good diet technique: just spend some time with the guy, and you won't have much of an appetite!

When I was around 4 or 5, I was in the waiting room of the doctor's office with my mom, and a girl about my age sitting across from me was doing the "dig, examine,eat" thing. Made me want to puke back then!
 
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