7 Ways to Deal with Annoying People and Still Get Things Done

re: 7 Ways to Deal with Annoying People and Still Get Things Done

SillyPoet — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 13:37:22 GMT

Good suggestions, but what about those annoying people that never shut up? I used to be onw of them, and luckily for me I had friends sit me down and tell me I talked too much- but this woman won't let me get a word in edgewise to tell her! We had dinner with friends last night, to which she was a part of, and as soon as she came in the door, she talked. And talked. And talked. Through the meal too. No one could have a decent conversation because she would interrupt with some story pertaining to that subject! I tried the listening thing, but she just didn;t get the idea everyone was tired of hearing her voice.

Any other suggestions?

She is a very caring person, but takes the defensive the moment you confront her about anything.

re: 7 Ways to Deal with Annoying People and Still Get Things Done

debugging — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 11:15:15 GMT

How do you kindly break someone from telling every, "He said; she said; I did; they did?" I want to have special time with this person but every detail is too much.

re: 7 Ways to Deal with Annoying People and Still Get Things Done

jeffnevins — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 00:23:05 GMT

Thank you for the article.

re: 7 Ways to Deal with Annoying People and Still Get Things Done

Millie_203 — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 15:54:36 GMT

Thank you Dr. Mercola, I really appreciate this. Millie Ramos from Facebook.

re: 7 Ways to Deal with Annoying People and Still Get Things Done

Oran — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 14:25:37 GMT

"AHA" - I have found this to be the most important thing to say when I deal with an angry, irrational family member. It's hard to believe sometimes that the other person doesn't get peeved off by my not actually talking. Most times the irrational and angry person just wants to let off steam. He/she has no interest in your opinion. They just want to hear themselves. After a few rounds of biting my lip and just saying "Aha' the person starts to calm down.

re: 7 Ways to Deal with Annoying People and Still Get Things Done

KC — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 13:16:21 GMT

# 7 I think these are very good points for the kind person. Kind people always seem to draw the complainers, because we're to kind to hurt them. I've learned that saying no will not kill me, I stay kind, but true to myself, and I feel so much better. Mind you it took sometime because these kind of people try to make you feel bad, oh well. Complainers are very needy, they can and will suck the life right out of you. They'll feel better about complaining about everyone and everything. So by the time their done sucking the energy from your life force, you'll need to lay down to regain energy again. The worst thing about this is if this person is a family member, and you just want to keep some peace within the family. What is even worse is the combination of the complainer, and that this person is always right and never sees their faults, and they seem to forget some of a conversation if it's to look bad on them, and their a family member. My advise #6, it's been working good for me. Don't get me wrong I feel we sould be forgiving, but not stupid. This kind of person will always make you look out to be the wrong one, they have to win no matter the cost. They have to appear perfect. You have to feel bad for this kind of person because their health is affected for it.

re: 7 Ways to Deal with Annoying People and Still Get Things Done

Heather Marsh — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 13:08:54 GMT

Whilst I was still in the workforce I did have one person- a supervisor - who seemed to want to drive me into a nervous breakdown. She would quietly ask the same question in several different ways until I erupted, cried or left. As I was in the middle of an MS attack at the time my ability to maintain my equilibrium in the face of this bullying was very much diminished.

Producing a reaction seemed to satisfy her - if I managed to return to my desk she would usually leave me alone for the remainder of the day. Not all situations can be resolved.

re: 7 Ways to Deal with Annoying People and Still Get Things Done

Kris588 — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 12:41:27 GMT

Here are some of my methods of engagement, that I believe is conscientious and considerate communication, to myself and the other. I like alot of the guidelines above.

1> If I am with a person who I don't see very often and we are getting together for a short time, I don't answer my cell. It is rude both to the person I am with, as well as the person calling, as I can't respectfully engage with either if I answer the phone. It drives ME crazy if someone answers the phone and can't talk-"HI I am doing so and so can I call you back? An anwering machine can say that. why answer the phone if you cant talk?call me back when you can talk, answering the phone serves no purpose.

2.If I am with a person I see alot, or who is familiar, I may answer my cell and engage with the person who calls me. I also dont take offesne if the person I am with answers their cell if I am spending a long time with them., or they are a familiar, every day, or a spend time together often person. After all,the familiar person and I see one anotehr and talk alot, nothing is lost if the phone is answered , that's different from "sacred" time with someone you dont see taht often.Same goes for visits,for example if i am at a family wedding i would hardly talk to my sister, mother, dad, because the other relatives I hardly ever see. I talk to sis, mom and dad all of the time. And they want to talk to people they hardly ever see. Same with work & co workers.

3. Call a person back in a reasonable amount of time, it depends on the person what that reasonable amount of time would be.

5. I would much rather get someones voice mail and leave a message than have someone answer the phone and say they can't talk. Leaving a message helps both parties because the reciever knows why a person is calling and can call them back when they can engage in the reason for the call. If someone answers their phone and cant talk, they are causin g me to be an interruption and I dont like interrupting people.

re: 7 Ways to Deal with Annoying People and Still Get Things Done

carrieon — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 10:28:53 GMT

Who would of thought most of these responses would be centered around cell phones? Cell phones can be good and bad. If they annoy you, then let every call go to voicemail. If you are bored, then answer every incoming call. Also, don't forget that talking on them while the public can hear you is rude.

re: 7 Ways to Deal with Annoying People and Still Get Things Done

OssieA1 — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 08:16:04 GMT

What does one do with a stressed husband who comes home and is just angry at any little thing and everything including me! I'm worn out.

re: 7 Ways to Deal with Annoying People and Still Get Things Done

Miss Bliss — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 21:13:13 GMT

Oh YEH! Islander! Excellent examples of when to just 'say no to the phone'....lol

I agree completely. Especially the 'hang up and drive!!' part.....this morning on my way to work I witnessed a fatal car accident on the freeway...cause: fatigue and the cell phone. The young driver was cruising under one of the underpasses, decided to make a call, and because his reaction time was poor as he didn't realize the freeway veers left on the other side. He slammed into a large light pole. His passenger, a 23y old young woman is currently in the hospital fighting for her life....

...I tell everyone I know...is that phone call while driving worth your life?

re: 7 Ways to Deal with Annoying People and Still Get Things Done

Trinity Wellness — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 20:38:06 GMT

I agree that call screening technology has been a god send. This new culture of constant instant accessibility has led to our having to deal with individuals and companies that feel entitled to being able to speak to us at the instant of their choosing regardless of the impact it has on our other obligations, activities and commitments. Oh, and not to mention our complete lack of interest in what they have to say. For me, if I don't recognize your number or if I am busy, you will just have to wait.

It is all about what one of my trainers calls "Block and Tackle". You prioritize your time, set out blocks of time where you will tackle those priorities and then you refuse to tolerate interruptions. All interruptions including family, friends, colleagues, phone calls etc. After all, what we generally find most annoying about people is tat they are interrupting, distracting or otherwise encumbering us.

re: 7 Ways to Deal with Annoying People and Still Get Things Done

CATRYNA_203 — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 13:47:41 GMT

Caller ID is one of the most wonderful tools ever. I got it 10 years ago because I was constantly being called by annoying people with their stupid problems and complaints, that they either couldn't or didn't want to rise above. It sure helps to be able to know who is calling and call them back when I have the time to listen to them. The cell phone is a God send, too, because I will give those certain people a "Catryna Fix" by calling them and then be able to terminate the phone call when I have gotten to my destination or my all time favorite if their conversation begins to deteriate, I just make the statement that I'm entering a bad reception area and we might get cut off and then I simply hang up. It sure saves my sanity.

re: 7 Ways to Deal with Annoying People and Still Get Things Done

Duparc — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 13:03:34 GMT

What's new? In the late 1970s I did a course on 'managing conflict' which this theme is based on. The only difference is that in the intervening years I have too often forgot to practice it and leap into conflict with my sabre at the ready!