Coworker Mimics Everyone In The Office

[Treacle71]

If I'm on the phone and I say to the person on the other end, "Oh dear", he'll mimic me out loud in front of everyone.  If someone else has a cough, he'll mimic the cough and throat clearing out loud, if someone else can't pronounce a word properly he'll mimic that, for example, a guy from South Asia who works in the office, can't pronounce the word 'hospital' and will instead say, 'aspital', then he'll mimic that out loud.

Why is someone so rude like that?

[Old_Geezer]

Habit.

Attempt at humour ?

[andy-hughes]

It's attention-seeking, borne out of insecurity.

Ignore him, and he'll give it up.

Reaction is what he needs, so remove it.

[ToraToraTora]

Sound like a right April, soon get a cuff in the north in my profession.

[Treacle71]

And then there's a Nigerian guy in the office who has a habit of saying, "Wat izz deese?" when he needs to question something (meaning 'what is this'?) and he'll mimic that.  I can't believe he hasn't got into trouble yet.

[bednobs]

as i thin i said before to you, not everyone is the same.  My workplace encourages neuro diversity, and therefore i work with a lot of people who one might consider "slightly strange".

One of them (for example) appears to have no 'social skills' as i would call it.  He's fantastic at the work, and i can completely rely on him though.  Another person i work with makes little noises.  Another, if he hears a new word will repeat it randomly.  it's not a conscious thing on his part, he just does it

[Patsy33]

I know a narcissist who does that...

[QuizmasterG]

Ask him (so everyone can hear) "Do you have a problem with the way I speak? If so, could we resolve it now before I need to take matters further?"

If he persists, take it further up the line.

If he persists further, then smack him one!

[douglas9401]

Now I'm only asking so I can allocate enough time to view but, are we going to get a full rundown of office nationalities and foibles?

In short, will this turn into a list?

[Treacle71]

Not many people respond, Auntypoll.  Only one said back to him, "You're such a d***head".  Yes, our office is extremely diverse with diverse ages too. 

[Old_Geezer]

I think you're overreacting.

Perhaps someone should politely and discreetly mention some find it irksome and would he mind avoiding doing so in future.

[Treacle71]

Interesting answers so far, thank you everyone. 

[DDIL]

Good morning,

It sounds like he has not been challenged.  What does your staff workbook say about this type of behaviour?

Have you challenged his behaviour?

[Treacle71]

No I haven't DDIL, as it's only happened the once to me.  In all honesty, I wouldn't know what to say, being the shy retiring creature that I am.

[youngmafbog]

About time someone punched him.

Sure it will happen soon.  Does he go out supping after work?

[ToraToraTora]

If he did that in the rubba he'd soon get a punch in the boat!

[poorclare]

Woo you certainly don't sound like a shy retiring creature to me.  

I think you are letting this get to you.

Get on with the job you are paid to do and ignore

everyone and everything else.

😁

[DDIL]

In my opinion it does not matter if he has only done it once to you.

You are stating it is making you and others uncomfortable, so how long are you going to let this continue. Report him and take control of the situation.

[Peter Pedant]

it is called perseveration of echolallia - I will allow ABers to look all that up

it is a featue of OCD and tourettes - which you also need to look up 

but y'all really knew that innit? - or he is odd

I had a tic - boop boop! ( high pitched, top C will do) and wasnt worried when people did it to my face. 

[Peter Pedant]

I weel say thees only warnce ( Hallo hallo)

it is perseveration or echolallia....