helen-louise (baratron) wrote,
helen-louise
baratron
  • Mood: curious

A poll about manners.

Someone at work is really getting on my nerves. After a "conversation" with her this evening, I decided to come home and write this poll. In the questions where I talk about a random co-worker, I mean someone that you have no connection with apart from working at the same place. When I talk about a friend, I mean someone that you do have some kind of interest in or connection with, someone that you care about for specific reasons, rather than just because they're another human being.


Poll #97047 A question of manners...
Open to: All, detailed results viewable to: All. Participants: 41

You are sitting by yourself in the canteen at work reading. A random co-worker comes up to you and starts talking about any old crap. What do you think?

View Answers
That's a nice thing to do, I was lonely.
1(2.4%)
It might be nice or annoying, depending on the circumstances and my mood.
28(68.3%)
It's really annoying, I was trying to read!
12(29.3%)

You are sitting by yourself in the canteen at work reading. A co-worker comes up to you and starts talking about the book you're reading. What do you think this time?

View Answers
That's a nice thing to do, I was lonely.
0(0.0%)
It's nice that someone else wants to talk about books...
4(9.8%)
It's nice that someone else wants to talk about books, but I wish she'd keep her opinions to herself and let me read.
6(14.6%)
It might be nice or annoying, depending on how engrossed in the book I am at that time.
29(70.7%)
It's really annoying, I was trying to read!
2(4.9%)

Is the second situation more or less annoying than the first?

View Answers
The second one is far more annoying - asking about my book is personal.
1(2.4%)
The first one is far more annoying - not noticing (or caring) that I'm reading is rude.
27(65.9%)
They are as annoying as each other, being distracted is just as rude regardless of the reason.
10(24.4%)
Neither are annoying, it's good to have people spontaneously start talking.
3(7.3%)

Say now, instead of some random co-worker coming to talk to you, it's a friend. Do your answers for questions 1 and 2 change?

View Answers
No, I'd be pleased for someone to talk to me regardless.
1(2.4%)
No, it is just as rude to interrupt regardless.
7(17.1%)
Yes, I'm much more willing to listen to a friend than a random co-worker.
33(80.5%)

A random co-worker always uses your name in conversation. She says "Hello, Bill. How's Bill today?", using your name in every sentence. Does that annoy you?

View Answers
Yes, all the time. My name is a personal thing.
3(7.5%)
Sometimes, depends what mood I'm in.
8(20.0%)
No, my name is just something for people to call me. It's nice she remembers it.
4(10.0%)
Yes, it annoys me because it seems borderline obsessive to do that.
25(62.5%)

A random co-worker has a habit of shortening people's names without asking first if it's okay. You introduce yourself as William, and he calls you Bill, or you introduce yourself as Elizabeth, and he calls you Liz. Is this rude?

View Answers
Extremely - you should always ask someone's permission before abbreviating their name.
25(61.0%)
Slightly - it is assuming a higher level of familiarity than you have at that time, but it wouldn't annoy me too much.
15(36.6%)
Not at all - it's a way of being friendly to you.
1(2.4%)


I'll be interested in people's answers. I think some of these situations are more clear-cut than others. Feel free to explain your reasoning in comments.
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