An invasion of my personal space ...

You are quite right to get ticked off. It's good manners to ask if you need something from someone else, and downright rude to just take. That seems to be the trouble with being nice to some people, they think then they can just take, take, take. I often think that maybe I'm too kind for my own good sometimes, but I don't think I can change that. Don't feel that because these people have riled you that you are any less a kind person. They are just plain rude, and in the wrong.

Hi augustta. I agree, I dont like anyone invading any of my personal space, doesnt matter where I am, work, out somewhere, even in our home. I like my personal space and privacy and I always respect the space and privacy of others.

you have a good point in feeling that way augusta. people should have common sense.. i mean, we all have. just that people don't put common sense to work. it's disrespect to act as if you weren't there when you actually are there. unless you are invisible and can't be seen by anyone. sad to know that you are with rude people at work. i hope you can talk to them and make them listen to you and hopefully, respect you. i hate people invading my privacy... like looking into my bag or friends holding on to my celphone and reading all text messages there is, or some even digging into wallet to see if how much i have for the day... i mean, these are my stuffs and just stay away from those. unless i tell you to do so. i hope people will use respect in their everyday lives. if so, the world could have been so much better. happy myLotting augusta!

I don't have that problem. I agree with you that it is an invasion of privacy. Co-workers should respect your working space and privacy. If they need something, they should have you give it to them or get your permission before rummaging through your work space.

I agree 100% with you! I don't know how can anyone be so mean to look at someones personal information. Even in family I always taght my children that we don't have to lock anything because we know that the others will not open our intimacy!

You are right, I can't stand that either it's a lack of respect from my point of view. I used to have this problem when living with some colleges in an hall that belongs to my university. I don't know if they did the same when i was gone but when i was home they always borrow my stuff without telling me. They had the impression that if we live under the same roof we can easily forget about manners. I had some fights with them about this topic and they always say the same thing : "OK OK next time I'll ask your permission to use your ...." but never done it. So I don't know how to handle this I tried but some things never change, don't blame yourself Augustta for thinking this way , I totally agree with you . If you found a solution to put an end to this please let me know. Have a nice day try to forget about this problems just relax.

Yes I agree with you there as it is rude and maybe you want to make it clear to them that they do not just go in there but ask you I am surprised that you can not lock your Cabinets Maybe you want to look into that to as it seems you are working with a lot of Ignorant People there that have no Manners and respect for you

you are bang on correct. you are neither being rude nor mean and you are not alone. i for one, fully appreciate your disgust at such intrusions, coz i am myself a regular sufferer.i am basically not a very organised person but i know my workdesk and my papers, even if they are in a pile. often, first thing in the morning, i come and see my stapler missing or the highlighter lying on my co-workers' desk. i mean, if you take something from your colleague (even in her absence) you should have the minimum curtesy to keep it back in its place. and the worst part is, if you do protest or make an issue out of it, you are told point blank that everyone has free right to office property and you are branded downright rude and uncooperative. very difficult to deal with such people, i know!

I dont think your being mean at all. I would feel the same way. That is your space and they should have respect for your things. You might have to yell at them. This will put a stop to it. Somtimes desperate measures are needed.

I hate when I come in after a day off and see things moved around on my desk. It could be something as simple as a pen out of place or my phone moved. But it still bothers me. This is my space, no one should be here when I am not. And if they are going to touch things while I am away they could atleast have the common decency to put it back where they found it. My supervisor thinks I am overreacting. I don't. I have tried to explain it to her that it is my space and no one has a right to touch my stuff at my desk. I just wish people could respect that. I can be a mean person, I will be the first to admit it but I draw the line at my stuff. I might be selfish, or atleast some people may see it that way but hey that is their opinion. :) Don't worry about it Augustta, I don't think you are being mean or rude. :)

Hello,augustta,I think you are doign the right thing,as you have your private working area in your workplace,other people should not touch anything that is not belong to them unless with the permission of others. They even open your cabinets which are very rude in doing this,of course it is very rude,and i do not see any problem if you feel annoyed.

All people will feel annoyed when other people search their private places. I never touch anyone else's things without asking his or her permission.

mark your territory I have had the same problem and for 2 years I let it go on and when It finally came down to " Hey can you please respect me and Just ask" I got this comical response and I felt so wierd for the remainder of the month so I had to go to one of the other desks and I picked up her stapler and she was like " hey do you not see it sitting on my desk" and I said right back to her " did you not see those pens that I brought from my own money on my desk" and she just looked and now they kinda show respect but every once in a while they tend to act up again stay strong and good luck

I think it is very rude of people to not ask! I had one co-worker take a pen and then she said she lost it! I think it is very disrespectful! I told her the pen was a gift and she should have asked me to use it. Some people have no manners at all.

you are right! and they are very rude! it is not proper for people to touch your things especially if you are there. i myself don't want my things to be touched. i also hate it when they start looking and reading at my stuff. it is like invading my privacy. i usually tell this to people and they think that i am so sensitive with my things.