Noisy officemates
By Ayeizsha
@gaiza12 (4884)
Philippines
October 8, 2012 7:43am CST
Alright, here's my scenario. In our office, we are divided into two companies with one boss. They are mostly IT people which I don't know what they are working, while we are in another company that works as chat support. Our office has no division, so basically, we could see and hear the employees of that other company. And it really pisses me off, not just me but some of my colleagues as well, because every day, there's this one guy that sings songs that are so out of this world. And earlier, one of their colleagues had his birthday, they went to our pantry and sang the Happy birthday song and he sang it so loudly that I think it could be heard until the ground floor (we are staying in the 7th floor by the way)! And I really couldn't concentrate on my work since we have other stuff to do than chatting. It's like my eardrums are about to explode. It is fine if he has a nice voice, but I'm sorry, he really don't! (And I get to type this as fast as I can while watching my back to make sure no one is watching or reading what I am typing, so sorry if I get to have a lot of typos or wrong grammars.)
Now, what will you do if one of your officemates is so loud and is already bothering you and your work? It's fine with your other office mates though and would just laugh when he/she tries to sing, but however, you on the other hand gets pissed with his voice. Are you gonna confront that person and say "shut up"? What if you don't have the guts to say you wanted him to sing on his mind instead of saying it out loud?
1 person likes this
13 responses
@jadoixa (1166)
• Philippines
9 Oct 12
i can imagine how it is. i experienced the same thing with our neighbor, this girl really is so loud and has an annoying voice and plays loud music and sings along with it. her voice is really not good, it ruins the day and mood when i hear this way. she sometimes, does these irritating things like playing loud music and singing in times of the day when it is not right and appropriate to do so. one time she did it so early in the morning or 1 or 2 in the afternoon when we should also consider other people needs a peaceful time because they are asleep or trying to take a nap. it is really disturbing. that i wanna scream or make a comment already out loud that she can hear it enough because their house is just so close to ours. but i just try to be patient and calm myself when this happens. it can be hard to confront this kind of people or say it out honestly how you are disturbed, pissed and annoyed what they do. loudmouthed people can be really annoying and disturbing and don't really care. i think it is best to talk to him about and tell him honestly sometime so he is at least aware about his behavior, next time he will think about how he is and what he is doing because others are telling him how it can affect them or the work inside the office.
2 people like this
@gaiza12 (4884)
• Philippines
9 Oct 12
That must have been very hard for you. I really hate these people who are too insensitive. I hope I have the courage to approach the guy who sings irritably, but I really can't for I am too shy. I think, if others can ignore him, maybe I too can. (fingers crossed) Hopefully..sigh*
@GemmaR (8517)
•
8 Oct 12
If there was somebody in my office who was making a big noise then there would be no way that I could work, because any kind of noise has always been very distracting to me. I would always ask them nicely to be quiet, because they might not even realise that they're making too much noise. Another thing that you could do if they wouldn't be quiet is that you could have a word with your boss and see if there is anything that they can do; because it is not good for the company if one of the staff are not able to work properly.
2 people like this
@gaiza12 (4884)
• Philippines
9 Oct 12
I wish I could do that! But, you see, our boss cares a lot more to those at the other company and neglects us because we are not really doing any good to the whole company. He allows those people on the other company to do whatever they want 
. Also, I am not the type of person who has the guts to go talk directly to the one who is making loud noises. I am really a shy type of person.
. Also, I am not the type of person who has the guts to go talk directly to the one who is making loud noises. I am really a shy type of person.
@angelkarah050182 (4980)
• Philippines
9 Oct 12
Oh my. I hope someone will stop him. LOL. Of course, it's also embarrassing if we'll confront that person to say that he's voice isn't good and he should stop singing. What if file a complaint about the noise? Maybe, their boss will consider it. At work, we have two colleagues. They can't control their voices. They sometimes realize that they are already talking loud so they also try to keep their voices low. Our boss reminds them sometimes. LOL. Happy mylotting.
1 person likes this
@angelkarah050182 (4980)
• Philippines
11 Oct 12
Oh, really? They are the favorites? Oh my. I hope they'll learn how to shut their mouths when they're already giving stress to other employees. They don't own the whole building. Your boss shouldn't side on them only. You are also his employee.
@gaiza12 (4884)
• Philippines
9 Oct 12
It doesn't go that way in our office. Our boss love this other company employees, they even have their lunch out every friday. That is because, they are giving much profit in the whole company. That is why, our boss allows them whatever it is they wish to do. It's just up to these people if they know what respect means.
@jenny1015 (13366)
• Philippines
25 Oct 12
I think you can tell that to your supervisor so that he/she can tell that person that his singing is becoming annoying. Besides, you are in a workplace and not in a karaoke bar. Utmost silence should be considered evrytime.
1 person likes this
@asliah (11137)
• Philippines
20 Nov 12
hi,
i hate noisy people especially in the office because it will echoing to the whole hall way,when i am close to that noisy person i think i can confront him/her to shut up or to minimize his/her voice but if not i think i will just ignore him/her and let the guard to forbid that person.
@subhojit10 (7375)
• India
8 Oct 12
Well i can understand your situation very well. It is always annoying when i are trapped among the people who love making loud noises and merrymaking very much at the disgust of other people around. i can understand that there is no issue in celebrating certain occasions at the office but there are certain rules that needs to be strictly followed by them so that the office decorum is not disturbed at all. U should have informed the higher authorities regarding this.
What say?
2 people like this
@gaiza12 (4884)
• Philippines
9 Oct 12
Our boss' office is facing our area as well as the other company's area so he could really hear and see us all. The thing is, the other company is earning a lot that is why he just allows those guys to do whatever they want. As for us, the other company, we are having very low sales and he really doesn't care at us anymore There is really nothing we can do but to listen to their annoying voices.
There is really nothing we can do but to listen to their annoying voices.
@Hatley (163781)
• Garden Grove, California
9 Oct 12
he he I worked in a library so loud noises werestopped as soon as s started, in your situ ation try going to the peopkle above the
out of tune birthday singer and ask for someone in authority to
come and tell the singing idiotr to tone it down as people are working and also bring some earplugs to work and stick them in
your ears.
1 person likes this
@gaiza12 (4884)
• Philippines
9 Oct 12
Lol! I did put my headset on and the played my favorite music. But, believe me, his voice still prevailed despite the full volume of my music. The "someone in authority" is out of the county, if he is in, he really won't even bother and would just close his door and work normally. They really think we are nothing in this company because we are not making much profit and benefit for the entire company.
@salonga (27775)
• Philippines
9 Oct 12
I understand your situation. It would be very annoying to have such kind of noisy person around. Bu the way, why could he do that in the office? Does that office maintain no rules on keeping silence inside the work area? I mean it's okay if he is only singing but he should not do that loudly. The Supervisor or Manager must be very lenient for allowing such kind of behavior.
Now if you can't directly confront that man, I think you should tell the supervisor so appropriate action can be taken. 
1 person likes this
@gaiza12 (4884)
• Philippines
9 Oct 12
It could have been easier if the management is on our side all the time and would hear our plea to shut the other company up, but it's not. We are neglected by the company because we are not giving them any profit unlike the other company where the guy with the supper loud voice is employed.
@airasheila (5454)
• Philippines
9 Oct 12
a pleasant day to you gaiza12,
with regard to your query, it is really quite difficult to work and do your job if someone from your office was making an unpleasing sound. hence, this will really disturb you a lot. in this instance, perhaps you can talk to his friends and ask a small favor to talk to him, telling that if he can slow down his voice. aside from that, you can also tell them that your concentration was disturb every time his voice goes loud. try to explain them and talk to them then try to observe if changes has been adopted by that guy. or else, find a time wherein you can talk to him in a private place telling him that you are disturb by his loud voice. at first, try to do it through his friends then later if needed, do it straight away towards him.
1 person likes this
@gaiza12 (4884)
• Philippines
9 Oct 12
Thanks for the advice, but, I'm afraid it will be very hard because first, we are not close, I don't even know is name nor do we have any connection other than we have the same boss. Second, I don't know his friends in the office because they are from another department, another company, and sometimes, his friends are making loud noises as well, not singing but just talking so loudly.
@shylade (3132)
• Philippines
9 Oct 12
Oh my, it sounds so irritating. I hate that too. I am a quiet person so hearing loud people like that will make me feel the same way you do. Well, maybe you can tell him to be quiet in a way he will not get offended like make it a joke. It is hard because he might think you are rude but I think that is the best you can do. Or if you are close to him you can talk with him. Here in our work since I am the superior, I will just ask them to lower their voices and I don't mind if they will talk behind my back. My point is we are at work and not in our own houses.
1 person likes this
@gaiza12 (4884)
• Philippines
9 Oct 12
I am not really close to the other employees in that company and I am really shy to approach him . Sometimes I just talk to my colleagues and laugh a rude laugh so that he can realize that I am not appreciating his singing. He doesn't even bother to listen to me so I guess my last resort is to ignore him. Headset on with full volume music.
. Sometimes I just talk to my colleagues and laugh a rude laugh so that he can realize that I am not appreciating his singing. He doesn't even bother to listen to me so I guess my last resort is to ignore him. Headset on with full volume music.
@watchamacallitz (1171)
• Philippines
9 Oct 12
Maybe you can try approaching one of your superior and have them ask those noisy office mates of yours to tone down their voice as you cannot concentrate on your job. Or you could try to ask that person politely if he/she wouldn't mind lowering down her/his voice as they are already becoming a distraction.
1 person likes this
@asiracanna (6)
• Philippines
9 Oct 12
haha, I think that person was seeking for others attetion. Yeah, you have the point! He/she can sing aloud if, he got the talent. But we live in a free country, we can do what we want :-) . And for me, there's always the right time and right place, and he better be sensitive.
