Sniff! Cough! Co-workers who make noises at you.

I just wrote a thread about trying to get along with co-workers, being an introverted person. This is an extension of that, sort of.

I know this is going to sound strange, but I actually found a similar post on yahoo answers. So this has happened to other working professionals. Some of my co-workers intentionally sniff or cough at me. It's happened enough times where it's fairly obvious. I'm not exactly sure what they're implying, do they have a bad cold? do I smell? am I stuck up? do I have something in my nose? It just reinforces the maturity level in my department.

Sometimes managers walk by the back office and cough or sniff loudly, kind of hinting that we should not be hanging out.

Most recently, a few weeks ago, I was coming down a set of stairs and turned and ended up walking close, but slightly in front of a co-worker whom I'm not so friendly with. She starts sniffing continously and when we get to the back office, it immedately stops.

Later on, I initiated a conversation with another co-worker at one of our posts and she started sniffing before she said every sentence. It was just strange. She didn't have a cold. A manager walked by us and I was feeling talkative and asked her where she went to lunch. As she walked away she made this big sniff also. I have no idea what it means, other friends I've told this to think it's immature. My friends suggest that I just "offer tissues". I shouldn't sniff back. Any suggestions?

FYI-I've also gotten emotional at work a few times. Regarding that sexual harassment meeting and a few warnings I received regarding tardiness and some performance issues (whereas other co-workers who are in the same boat do not get warnings- there is some favoritism in the dept). I dont' like confrontations and I got really stressed at times. Wonder if the sniffing is about that.

So far, the sniffing has been minimal, but still immature.

Work on your performance issues and let the other people sniff to their heart's content if that's what they want to do. You are female, as am I, so I will give you this advice: Never, ever, get emotional at work. Period. People jump on that and you can quickly become the butt of everyone's jokes. I have developed a very thick skin to survive in this world. Maybe you should also. Nothing at work upsets me anymore, thank goodness!

The next time someone starts 'sniffing' at you, offer them a tissue and politely tell them they have a 'bat in the cave'....LOL... do it!

And the next time one of your managers walks by and 'coughs' offer them a cough drop, and ask if they are sick or have an allergy.

Don't let it get to you...these people are obviously stuck in grade 6.

If I were in your position, and one of these snobby girls sniffed at me in the hallway or elevator...I would politely advise her to take a break from her obvious cocaine problem...all that sniffing and coughing isn't fooling anyone...........

do they have a point?

Tt's a childish way to point it out out to you but maybe you smell?

Thank god I'm not alone!!!.... Its these government people, they are so under the table all trying sabotage co-workers ultimately to secure their chances for promotion, not to mention their own IMMATURE entertainment!!!

I worked in a government department for a year... i have had worked all kinds of numerous jobs/trades & i will tell you i have never come accross such a catty backstabbing under the radar, weak & evil bullying mob.

In my opiniion, its very hard to survive in these departments unless you are a complete emotional rock or have people higher up or co-workers that are aware of the subtle bullying that goes on to protect/defend you.

I had to put up with the exact same thing (sniffling/coughing)... its the perfect weapon to potentially drive someone nuts because its so hard to prove even when its done straight to your face... It got so bad for me, I had so many people doing it at work.. even the manager of the department was doing it... If you let it get it to you, its enough to drive you crazy!!! & before you know it, you're questioning everyone who sniffles & coughs around you...

You cant exactly go up & hit the culprit or physically threaten them in an office environment like you would potentially get away with in a trade employment (unless you want to risk losing your job)

As there is so much politics & red tape crap in government/office jobs… unfortunately you have to play the game their way to succeed. If you can & get away with it then I take my hat off to ya!!!

I confided in my sister & aunty about it... telling them i know how paranoid/crazy it sounds & not knowing what to do about it... I then left the job & went travelling...came back home & noticed a room-mate was excessively doing it around me (no cold)... I got suspicious thinking maybe either my sister or aunty might of blurted it out for gossip entertainment so i tested my room-mate & sniffled/coughed randomly around him & coincidently he responded everytime as soon as i did it & does it everytime he passes me...The nerve of this guy biting the hand that shelters him!...I’ve told him verbally & written him a letter & he continues to do it… I mean I would physically threaten him but he is bigger than me.. So now i have to put up with it in my own home & i am at the point of kicking him out for this reason… I mean how nuts is that gonna make me look if I do that!… He’ll probably out of spite start telling everyone to do it that knows me just to piss me off.. if he hasn’t already !!!???

I can appreciate the humour concept of it all & laugh about it too but if you are very aware & sensitive person like me & it is done to you continuously everyday at work deliberately, it can take a toll on you.

My advice to anyone who strongly believes it’s been done to them deliberately is to not doubt yourself & stick to what you believe… Its your decision whether to ignore it & not let it get to you or confront the person who does it. People do genuinely sniff & cough (including myself) so you need to be careful on who you accuse…be absolutely certain before you point the finger (if you do) I can guarantee they will deny it to the bone & chances are people will think you are paranoid or imagining it whoever you confide so you need to be prepared as it one hell of a paradox!!!

Hope someone has some advice for me because I’m at breaking point!!!

Maybe they don't like/are reacting to your perfume?

Maybe they don't like/are reacting to your perfume?

Maybe they're intentionally doing it to irritate in hope of making you crack?... Some people are simply arrogant, ignorant, insensitive, immature & down right mean!!!

'Just because you're paranoid, doesn't mean they're not after you'

Territorial Pissings - Nirvana

Maybe they're intentionally doing it to irritate in hope of making you crack?... Some people are simply arrogant, ignorant, insensitive, immature & down right mean!!!

 

'Just because you're paranoid, doesn't mean they're not after you'

 

Territorial Pissings - Nirvana

Glad to hear that this happens. It's soo immature. I started sniffing around certain co-workers (I know, just as immature. Because I'm too non-confrontational, and also b/c I don't care to put in the extra effort in asking that person "If they have a cold." or "If they need a tissue.") But it seems to have worked a bit. That and that I work with a big staff and certain people's schedule's changed.

I also feel certain relationships with people changed for the positive, and it's happening a little less. I've made more of an effort to be friendly with management and some co-workers. Even if it's just to even out the atmosphere. (I think I've also written an email to my supervisor about a lot of the BS I've been through, and mentioned the sniffing) A lot of other problems with co-workers fighting started going on in our dept. Glad to know that it's not just me the immaturity is widespread.

I'd say, try not to stress too much. Find ways to be appreciated through your hard work and co-workers will see. With your roommate, try to talk about other things and get his mind off the sniffing and eventually in a few months he'll forget he even did it. I hate passive aggressive-ness!

Cancel the progress with this. People still sniff around me, mostly during silences during our conversations, when they pass me in the hallway, * * * ?! At least while they're speaking to me, the sniffing stops, and if I continue to engage them, it mostly stops. Crazy! People have waaay too much time on their hands.

And interestingly enough, overheard 2 girls talking about meeting up over the weekend. One was disappointed that she wasn't invited to another thing later on in the night and started sniffing. The other one goes, don't even think about making (can't remember the exact word) those sad/crying sniffles at me! --I know, it was during a joke, but funny that sniffing was brought up.

My God, this thread makes me thankful I don't work. I've never heard of such nonsense.

,,I had to put up with the exact same thing (sniffling/coughing)... its the perfect weapon to potentially drive someone nuts because its so hard to prove even when its done straight to your face... It got so bad for me, I had so many people doing it at work.. even the manager of the department was doing it... If you let it get it to you, its enough to drive you crazy!!! & before you know it, you're questioning everyone who sniffles & coughs around you...''

I have the same problem,but i am at detension center and just left prison were i have been for 2 years for growing weed (cyprus)..Imagine if people are doing it day and night, because its not work.. you dont go home end of your shift..I am a introvert and i dont like to socialise with people,and that is the reason why they was doing it to me i think.Because i dont like chit-chats or pointless conversations, they tried to make me crazy or to loose my mind i guess.. Is some kind of bullying,people can be horrible creatures so less i mix with them than better.Dont let them break you,just ignore them is the only advice and best advice Peace

This happens to me to, even my family does it to me. Please contact me, as I need some support regarding this issue.

-Josh

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