What does it take to get someone to stop talking to you?

[Lukus Alderman]

I know I've harped on this before, but I'd rather be at a dentists office than sit here and listen to these ladies tell stories and talk to me at work.

I keep my face down at my computer and this lady sits at another table and stares at me and continually talks and tells stories.  I don't look at her and type away as if I'm busy.  Sometimes I act like I'm typing and make keyboard sounds as if I'm busy typing a 10,000 word college thesis, all to no avail.  The one-sided conversation continues and I have to sit here and take it.

In my experience, the common person should realize that when someone doesn't look at you or is busy or acting as such while you try to converse, the proper and polite thing to do would be to leave.

Things must be different here in MountainDewville.

 

[Juan]

 

[BudreauReye]

Stop typing for a count of three ... look up, gazing off into the distance ... be sure and look a little pre-occupied ... slowly turn your head toward them ... hold up your hand slightly ... shake your head slowly with a furrowed brow and a half grimace and half smile - emphasis on subtlety ... say softly, so that they will have to lean in to hear you, "I'm sorry.  I am having a hard time concentrating on this."  They will hesitate for a moment ... right then, look back down at your keyboard and type away furiously with a furrowed brow, moving your lips silently like you are talking to yourself.  That usually works.  If they keep talking to you  ... wait a minute ... look back up at them vacantly with glazed eyes ... hesitate momentarily ... and say quietly, "I'm sorry.  I'm not interesting!"  You may have to practice this alone at home in front of the mirror, but I find that one or the other of these works most of the time time.  I must admit that I have had a hard time getting it to work over the internet, though.

 

[Lukus Alderman]

Stop typing for a count of three ... look up, gazing off into the distance ... be sure and look a little pre-occupied ... slowly turn your head toward them ... hold up your hand slightly ... shake your head slowly with a furrowed brow and a half grimace and half smile - emphasis on subtlety ... say softly, so that they will have to lean in to hear you, "I'm sorry.  I am having a hard time concentrating on this."  They will hesitate for a moment ... right then, look back down at your keyboard and type away furiously with a furrowed brow, moving your lips silently like you are talking to yourself.  That usually works.  If they keep talking to you  ... wait a minute ... look back up at them vacantly with glazed eyes ... hesitate momentarily ... and say quietly, "I'm sorry.  I'm not interesting!"  You may have to practice this alone at home in front of the mirror, but I find that one or the other of these works most of the time time.  I must admit that I have had a hard time getting it to work over the internet, though.

Fantastic idea!

I'll try it on my wife tonight and let you know the results.

 

[streettopeschel]

pull out your junk.

 

[Biff Johnson]

You might say, "My wife doesn't really does't want me talking to strange women, even if I've worked with them a long time."  

Trying budreaueye's method on the wife, though...I'm afraid my missus might misinterpret and teach a grandson to play T-ball by showing him how you hit the ball, only her bat is a rolling pin and the T-ball stand is me, the ball my head.

She never has, but she's a Texas girl so that option is always going to be on the table.

 

[BudreauReye]

Now

Stop typing for a count of three ... look up, gazing off into the distance ... be sure and look a little pre-occupied ... slowly turn your head toward them ... hold up your hand slightly ... shake your head slowly with a furrowed brow and a half grimace and half smile - emphasis on subtlety ... say softly, so that they will have to lean in to hear you, "I'm sorry.  I am having a hard time concentrating on this."  They will hesitate for a moment ... right then, look back down at your keyboard and type away furiously with a furrowed brow, moving your lips silently like you are talking to yourself.  That usually works.  If they keep talking to you  ... wait a minute ... look back up at them vacantly with glazed eyes ... hesitate momentarily ... and say quietly, "I'm sorry.  I'm not interesting!"  You may have to practice this alone at home in front of the mirror, but I find that one or the other of these works most of the time time.  I must admit that I have had a hard time getting it to work over the internet, though.

Now if either of these do not work, pull this up on your monitor, look up at them smiling with a very happy face, point at your monitor, and say perkily, "Wanna see what I have been working on?"  Although, on second thought, this might work a little too well, but it does seem to be a show stopper every time.  Too much?  Oh well!  I guess it's back to McPhaul's misplaced cell phone thread.

 

[killrjoe]

Works every time, STP. LMFAO!!!

 

[BudreauReye]

What does "Soggy Toilet Paper" have to do with any of this?" 

 

[monarch]

 ​

W.W.J.D.​

what would jesus do?​

 

[UTK66]

pull out your junk.

And wave it at them while making a grinding noise.

Do it, do it.

 

[Topstarr]

I know I've harped on this before, but I'd rather be at a dentists office than sit here and listen to these ladies tell stories and talk to me at work.

I keep my face down at my computer and this lady sits at another table and stares at me and continually talks and tells stories.  I don't look at her and type away as if I'm busy.  Sometimes I act like I'm typing and make keyboard sounds as if I'm busy typing a 10,000 word college thesis, all to no avail.  The one-sided conversation continues and I have to sit here and take it.

In my experience, the common person should realize that when someone doesn't look at you or is busy or acting as such while you try to converse, the proper and polite thing to do would be to leave.

Things must be different here in MountainDewville.

 I am the owner of this Business....so get to work or you all are fired :angry:

 

[echeese]

I know I've harped on this before, but I'd rather be at a dentists office than sit here and listen to these ladies tell stories and talk to me at work.

I keep my face down at my computer and this lady sits at another table and stares at me and continually talks and tells stories. 

You could always offer one of your movie reviews. . . ..

 

[java]

Rather than the nice headphones, why not try the foam ear plugs, particularly the ones connected by the little plastic cord? Obvious, but not banned by schools when concentration is essential. A subtle, but clear message?

 

[texasdobbs]

Pick your nose....

 

[BudreauReye]

Assume your best low gutteral "Sling Blade" voice and say, "Mnmmmh, you smell good!  Thanks for talking to me,  Mnmmmh!"  works every time.

 

[Biff Johnson]

I know I've harped on this before, but I'd rather be at a dentists office than sit here and listen to these ladies tell stories and talk to me at work.

I keep my face down at my computer and this lady sits at another table and stares at me and continually talks and tells stories.  I don't look at her and type away as if I'm busy.  Sometimes I act like I'm typing and make keyboard sounds as if I'm busy typing a 10,000 word college thesis, all to no avail.  The one-sided conversation continues and I have to sit here and take it.

In my experience, the common person should realize that when someone doesn't look at you or is busy or acting as such while you try to converse, the proper and polite thing to do would be to leave.

Things must be different here in MountainDewville.

As frightening to the free world as it is, I was actually a mental health counselor for a number of years in a state hospital (free treatment on the side ).

It isn't pretty, but this will work for you if you can be alone with her to do it with a perfectly bland face when you do it

Next time she gets that urge to splurge, you look her dead in the eyes and say with quiet, whispered intensity like you do with a big secret:

"You know, they didn't keep me there for years because I saw things, but because I didn't. I'm still convinced it was my research into proving that penguins can speak English that got me here. Penguins are shifty with it and you actually have to catch them at it on a reliable visual recording device. I never could alone, but now, with a person they recognize as sane the Penguins will trust and the authorities will believe me....we can do this! Have you been to Antarctica? No? Hey, it's worth the job,career and institutional commitment...this will be my third time with shocks and drugs, but it will be nice to have company." 

And when she freaks out and calls someone, you just shake your head sadly and ask them, "Is this the drinking again, or is it the crack thing, this time.?"

It will only take you about 30 seconds and she'll leave you be after that, I expect.

 

[Duke C #11]

Ask her if she wants to hear your massive collection of fart jokes.

 

[PeteA422]

Pull a line from Night at the Roxebury.  Just randomly in the middle of her talking yell out, "Did you just touch my ass?!?!"