I am so glad for this thread--gave me quite a few laughs! I have been at my first job for 10 years now, and I work with the queen of all annoying co-workers. Granted, we are a bunch of designers and artists, so there's bound to be a few oddities among us. But seriously, this woman is like a living checklist of all the things not to do when you are forced to sit in cubicles next to other people for 8 hours a day. Clips her fingernails at least once a week; sings, hums, talks to herself; chews loudly, blows bubbles and pops gum even at meetings; has a messy desk complete with days old food and drink leavings, etc., etc. It is especially tough because as a person, she is so nice and easy to get along with, and I hate that I go through most days trying to find ways to avoid the noises she makes. Noise cancelling headphones and my iPhone are my best friends at work.
My boss has spoken to her about things a few times in the past, but she's not a forceful person at all and is afraid of upsetting this coworker in question because she is super sensitive and will cry. I have actually moved my desk in order to get away from the gum chewing, but I can still hear it. I tense up as soon as I hear the snap of that Ice Breakers Ice Cubes container on her desk. I have though about hiding it and seeing what would happen...
Bottom line is that I should just work at home in a soundproof bubble.
My boss has spoken to her about things a few times in the past, but she's not a forceful person at all and is afraid of upsetting this coworker in question because she is super sensitive and will cry. I have actually moved my desk in order to get away from the gum chewing, but I can still hear it. I tense up as soon as I hear the snap of that Ice Breakers Ice Cubes container on her desk. I have though about hiding it and seeing what would happen...
Bottom line is that I should just work at home in a soundproof bubble.