Scenario

[Meerkatdawg]

You work with a person. They are your only work colleague.

You're always nice and polite and ask them how they are however you fell. You ask them about holidays and weekends. Just general stuff.

On the flip side, you never know the reaction. Sometimes it's light and nice like you..oh I'm fine, how's you etc.

Sometimes it's a mumble or they even ignore you.

I know people have off days, but we're the only two working together. It's not my fault they had a bad day at home etc. It's really awkward. Not very nice. Not going to take this person aside to talk to them and not feeling like changing the way I am.

How would you deal with it? I'm totally fed up getting snubbed and pussyfooting around.

[China Doll]

I'd say hello and goodbye and be polite if they started a conversation with me but wouldn't iniate one myself, it's what I do everyday to a few people at work. I wouldn't get wound up about it.

[stokemaveric]

well if you are as you say ''not going to take this person aside'' im afraid meekatdawg you actually are going to have to ''stop pussyfooting around'' or else you will be working in this situation until you decide to do otherwise..

[andy-hughes]

Say good morning, and good night, and invest in a radio of you are allowed, and an I-Pod if not.

[Gavmacp]

Hello Meerkatdawg,
This has to be a man you are talking about as I have found we are kind of crap at just talking. Women on the other hand seem to be able to talk about everything!
It is quite interesting as how the way they behave effects how you feel. I used to be like this where it felt other people played their instrument and I would dance to their tune.
There is a lot of things 'you are not' going to do though.
If you could get into the mind of the person you work with you might see a different side. Maybe they might find your questions as interrogating. Or they might be incredibly shy.
Talk about general things and use leading questions. Do not offer an opinion to their answers or if you do kept them light and easy. People like to talk about themself so discover more about them.

[grasscarp]

I wouldnt bother. Not everyone is very sociable, and you are not going to be able to make them into the kind of work colleague that you want. On the plus side you dont have to make much of an effort, and if you dont feel like saying much you dont have to.

[Prudie]

I agree with the others. Have you thought they might just not like small talk at work? I don't like it myself (cleaner please take note)

[Meerkatdawg]

Sorry I seemed to have gotten it wrong. By saying not pussyfoot I realise I've opened myself up to contradiction.

It's a woman I'm working with. We've been working together 8 years and have chatted about all sorts. And I do say politely hi and goodbye. I've learnt to know the signs. But it's not nice. Others say she is the same with them. It's just her manner.

Still not fine thought.

[Messi_Ten]

You'll feel better when you get your avatar.

[steg]

rig a bucket of water above door so when she comes in it tips over her, it wont sort your problem but it should give you a braw laugh

[askyourgran]

Ignore him meerkd, get an iPod. Give him a taste of his own medicine if he decides to start talking to you.

[welshlibranr]

just say 'morning' and 'night' if this person choses to make conversation with you during the day, then fine, if not, fine!..........don't try to make conversation!........No point!.....Don't do the running!.......Let them!.........

[Captain Spod]

Note in a diary when these 'off days' happen. They may follow a 28 day cycle. If they are predictable you will know when to wear your mp3 player and when you can converse with her.

[askyourgran]

Sorry I took it to be a miserable man, didn't read your post to the end. Ignore her

[Ray4yaR]

If you've tried repeatedly already it might just be best to be civil and leave it at that; it's their problem. And even though you have to work with them all day there's other people im sure you talk to away from there that are decent. In fact, how the devil are you?!

[Meerkatdawg]

I never got back to this. Love the help advised. We get on fine now. One day I just got fed up and said...Have I done something wrong? Snapped out of it like that and never a problem since.