How do you respond when someone teases you continually and annoys you?

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   aoiffe379posted 15 years ago

   How do you respond when someone teases you continually and annoys you?
   
   I have a co-worker who is continually teasing me ; and I am sick of it. He says that when he leaves, I will take over his position.The fact is that I am happy with my present position and do not want any more responsibilities. Somehow, he does not seem to understand this fact and I believe he does it to annoy me. Last night I hung up the phone on him after telling him I was going to hang up. This morning I apologized. But, I wonder if he will get the message. This guy is 31 and still playful; but he is hardworking and leads others to success. Am I thin skin?

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2. 0

   CGDposted 15 years ago

   Yep you are, and need to grow some skin. This man is obviously bored and because you react to him it becomes amusing and he will keep on doing it. The best thing you can do is have as little to do with him as possible.  There is such thing as bullying in the worse place and another approach is rather than letting it stress you out go and tell someone without caring how you may look as a result, you’re better off in a comfortable environment.

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3. 60

   Mocha Mommaposted 15 years ago

   Don't be so thin skinned, and if you are hanging up on someone, tell them, do it, and don't apologize for it.  You told him you were going to hang up. 
   
   If he's annoying you, annoy him back by humoring his accusations, when he jibs at you and accuses you of taking his position when he leaves, say, "Yup, so when are you turning in your notice of resignation?"  He sounds like he's just looking for his ego to be stroked, so he's fishing for compliments by always talking about you taking over when he leaves.  It's a somewhat passive aggressive move he's using on you.  He'll probably take the very thing that you've said and used it in his meetings with his superiors, meaning, "So and So isn't capable of doing my job"....
   
   So humor him, since he wants to annoy you, annoy him back, because he's obviously insecure about his position and feels threatened by you.  The less you say, when he says that, the better, he's trying to get a response out of you, and you probably have a non confrontational personality, perfect for his BS.  Don't allow him to make you uncomfortable or take you out of your element with his foolishness.  Respond to his foolishness by saying Yes, or I sure do, and then keep it moving. 
   
   And absolutely do not apologize for it.

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4. 59

   Britonposted 14 years ago

   No, you are not thin skinned, what this person is doing is bullying and harrassing, do not let it continue, no matter how much of a go getter they are, what they class as harmless is obviously not.
   So be firm but polite, and do not appologise, tell them straight that you do not like how they treat you, that you find it offensive and quite simply that you want them to stop.
   Report the harrassment to a more senior person or your union rep if you have one, and make sure that you have a witness with you when you tell the person to stop.
   At work you have the right to expect respect, and putting up with some egostistical fool will not get you that respect, dont be tempted to respond in kind, it just exacerbates the situation.
   Report whats happening, keep a record of it, and any response you give keep to the very bland ( yes,right, whatever!) do it disdainfully, and dont let them get to you.
   Turn the tables by waiting for the next response, and being ready to show that complete disdane.
   Body language is a superb tool, just a look with a shake of the head and a deep sigh with raised eyes is a good signifier that you find someone purile.
   Or just turn and walk away saying( yes, right, whatever!) and flick your hand in dismissal.
   If you want any other advice or want to talk more, contact me, I have been a senior union rep and dealt with a lot of this crap.
   It takes abit of courage and once you start to assert yourself, do not stop, it is hard, but it is worth it.

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5. 0

   msorenssonposted 14 years ago

   Oh he is having fun and obviously has a fondness for you. Otherwise he won't go into such great lengths...do you remember when we were little and the boys tried to annoy us? It was because they wanted our attention and that was the only thing they knew how. That was how it was with the other boys...Go back to your childhood and observe, how loving this really is, and how flattering, really.
   He is hardworking and leads others to success..what  a great compliment to him. Have you told him?

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6. 58

   DIY Backlinksposted 13 years ago

   Maybe he has a crush on you? How hard is it to just ignore the teasing?

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7. 61

   Penny Gposted 10 years ago

   I ignore them and jet look away then they get the hint and SHUT UP!

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