Another Pet Peeve Thread....

[SW MI Planner]

This is one that I probably put in the other one a while back, but I have to vent.

It annoys me to no end when people walk back to my office, find that I already have someone in my office or on the phone, and proceed to wait in my doorway. I usually tell them that it will be a minute, and they say ok, but don't move an inch. There is a secretary up front, but she can't always catch people because half of them just walk back and ignore her.

Any suggestions?

Edited to say that I am also the grant person, so a lot of times I am talking to people about their income qualifications, and other personal things. If I have the door closed, people wait outside and stare in the window next to my door.

 

[SGB]

Ask your secretary to escort the person(s) to a waiting area, then politely close your office door until your meeting is done.

 

[Downtown]

On the occasions that happens, I usually say - Oh! I'll be with you in a moment - if you'll go back up front and have a seat, I should be off in a minute.

 

[Chet]

Downtown's is good.

If its a coworker I tell them it will be a while and I'll all them when I get free.

 

[Habanero]

At least they wait to talk to you, mine come right in and start asking me things while I'm on the phone. No respect, just talking away seeing me on the phone the entire time. Usually I just turn around, put my back towards them, and ignore them until I'm done.

 

[Big Easy King]

Usually I just turn around, put my back towards them, and ignore them until I'm done.

I ignore such inconsiderate people without turning my back towards them.

 

[Zoning Goddess]

I ignore such inconsiderate people without turning my back towards them.

Try that when you're on the phone with your doctor about a "female" problem. Come to think of it, that actually gets rid of them pretty quick. ;-)

 

[Mastiff]

If I have the door closed, people wait outside and stare in the window next to my door.

Get a mini-blind. I have them on all my windows. I love my new bigger office with the extra room on the side... except for two things.

1) The outside windows are at grade with the deck outside the library, so people could look in. (solved)

2) It's right above the jail. So when they catch some drunk in the middle of the afternoon, I have to listen to them scream, whine, moan, or a mix of the three. Sometimes I'll close my door and start singing spirituals as payback.


Back to your problem. Say "excuse me" to the person in the office or one the phone. Stare at the interloper. Wait for them to squirm. Say, "I'm sorry, I cannot help you both at the same time. Have a seat in the waiting area, and I will be with you when I'm finished."

Or, alternately, you can excuse yourself, get up, and close the door...