Office chat

[queries]

Does anyone have a tip for tuning out of office chatter - I work in a large office where we all sit fairly close together and when people sit chatting it can be very hard to concentrate!

[CAJ1]

Ear plugs!

If your office is anything like mine there won't be any point in asking them to be a little quieter because you'll just be ignored so the second best thing is ear plugs! :o)

[terambulan]

be unsociable & insert ear-pods

[4getmenot]

i-pod

[Pigletion]

i-Pod! (or other similar personal stereo), just loud enough for you to hear that blocks out them, it's easier to concentrate to a song from one source than lots of different voices and music probably won't distract you.

[queries]

We're not allowed ipods - oh if only!

[angel21]

Wish I was allowed to listen to i-pod or radio in work. I'm surprised people are allowed to really.

[andy-hughes]

You need to up your concentration levels.

The ideal to reach is that ytou don;t hear conversation, just background noise.

Start by deliberately tuning out any specific conversation which your ears pick up. This can be done by leaning a little closer over your desk and work and really focusing on what you are doing.

With practice, this will become second nature.

Our building has had a major flood in its east wing, so a lod of people have been relocated temporarily with us for a few months while their accomodation is sorted out. In the space of one day, i have gained an immediate neighbour, someone opposite, four people being him, and four more behind me, in what were empty seats.

It bothers me not at all because i simply tune out their (considerable) noise and chatter.

It takes patience and practice but it can be done.

Good luck.

[swedeheart]

Decades ago there was a Swedish journalist called Mischa Katz who endeared himself to his female colleagues by using their tampons for earplugs :-)


(And no they hadn't been used.)

[Lil O'lady]

I worked in a noisy open plan office with the noisiest woman in the worls sitting across from me - it was impossible to use the telephone when she was 'talking'. One day I simply remarked that I loved her talking because it reminded me of one of my old budgies, and was soothing and helped me tune out and concentrate. She didn't quite know how to take it but couldn't accuse me of being offensive because I'd said I liked it. It didn't stop her being noisy but I developed a beatific smile that irritated her no end.
I think the only actual cure would have been decapitation.

Are you allowed earlpugs into your PC? You could put an ambient sound CD on if so, and that would help mask the racket.
You could also ask for advice from whoever is in charge of the office, but be careful with this one - they are often daft enough to dob you in it by saying you've complained.

The last resort of course would be to feign earache and stuff your ears with cottonwool.