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Conference quark::human_relations

Title:What's all this fuss about "sax and violins"?
Notice:Please read all replies to note 1
Moderator:QUARK::LIONEL
Created:Thu Jan 21 1993
Last Modified:Fri May 09 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:133
Total number of notes:1901

82.0. "Unwanted Crushes at Work" by QUARK::MODERATOR () Mon Nov 07 1994 16:11

    The following entry has been contributed by a member of our community
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				Steve






    A person I used to date, who now works in my building, has what 
    seems to be a serious fixiation on me.
     
    Although this person is very nice, I am really not interested and 
    have said so. However, its as if this person didn't hear me since 
    this person is continually emailing me, asking me out, coming in 
    my office to socialize, etc., taking no notice of my discomfort. 
    
    Saying "no thanks" has not sufficed. Its getting to the point that 
    my gut tenses up whenever someone passes my office door, and after 
    this person finally leaves I'm so upset at myself (for being too 
    polite and have it being taken as aquiescence) that I cannot work 
    for a while. 
    
    Anyhow, I am fed up with the fearful anticipation and am ready to 
    find another employer. Anyone have any ideas short of calling in 
    Personnel or handing in my resignation?
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82.1Time for an intermediaryFOUNDR::SHEEHANMon Nov 07 1994 19:3622
 Reply .0

 First off be assertive in telling this person that they are wasting their
 time if they are interested in a relationship with you and their persistance
 is a real turn-off. 

 You could also let someone else in your office run interference for you. Ie.
 ask a friend to interupt or walk in every time this person comes by your
 office. Make up a signal to let them know that this person is there. Also
 don't reply to their E-mail and screen your calls. Eventually this person
 will probably get the hint. If all else fails get your boss involved and
 settle the intrusions via your boss either talking with this person or
 contacting his boss and letting them know this person is interupting your
 work. If this person starts to really harass you, save the mail/phone
 messages and contact personel. I know someone who had a similar problem
 and the offending person was eventually fired for harassment. Hope it
 doesn't get to that point in your situation.

 Good Luck!

   Neil....
82.2Some questionsFOUNDR::CRAIGMona Charen for PresidentMon Nov 07 1994 23:0416
Do you know any of X's friends?  Someone you could talk to and ask to get X
to lay off?  Perhaps someone you know might be able to go to one of X's 
friends; that way you're "twice removed," sort of.

Have you told X in VERY PLAIN ENGLISH that you want to be left alone at
work, or have you gilded your rebuffs to save X's feelings, but in such a
manner that X might perceive there still to be an opening to your heart?  
If X really does have it bad for you, then X will be hoping beyond all hope 
for a reconciliation unless you say, "It's over.  Go away.  Don't stop by
again, ever."  Those words exactly.

Is X hopelessly and pitifully in love with you and therefore finding it
difficult to stay away because his/her heart keeps dragging him/her over to
see you, pride kicking and screaming in protest, or is X a boorish lout who
just won't take "No" for an answer?  The answer to that question would do
much to determine the next step, yes? 
82.3Reply from anonymous author of base noteQUARK::MODERATORTue Nov 08 1994 15:4016
    This morning the person came in my office again. I stammered, hemmed,
    hawed,  and was very uncomfortable, but was finally able to utter the
    words "your visits make me feel harassed".
    
    That seems to be the magic phrase.
    
    Needless to say, the person was taken aback and acted as if devastated
    and suprised. I regret having been so blunt and frank. 
    
    I'm confident that I've finally articulated my feelings clearly and
    unambigously. 
    
    The unclearness seems to have been a contributing factor and painful as
    it was,  a message unlikely to be misunderstood was required.
    
    What an experience, what a mess. I hope its really over now.
82.4MROA::MAHONEYTue Nov 08 1994 16:189
    It only took a few clear words on your part.
    
    That took care of it. Why let yourself be nervous, embarrased and ready
    to drop your employment because of it? I think you were overly nervous
    for a situation that only took a few clear words to take care of it.
    Please don't let something simple like that to mess up your job...
    and your future.
    
    Cheers, Ana
82.5ELESYS::JASNIEWSKIWhy not ask why?Tue Nov 08 1994 19:5917
    
    	It's so astounding to me ( and believe me, every bit of what I'm
    about to say applies to *me* as well ) that a simple and direct
    statement like "X makes me feel Y" engenders consequential feelings
    such as "pain" and "regret".
    
    	Why is it painful to tell someone how you feel? Why is doing so -
    regardless of what the feeling is - something that's - within our
    ordinary conditioning in this society - *regrettable*? Why does it
    actually seem easier to act as a result of a feeling "I'll quit my job"
    than it is to simply say what it is?
    
    	My congratulations and hat's off to you, anon, for having the
    courage to speak your feelings. I wish you the best for having done so!
    
    	Joe
    
82.6HANNAH::OSMANsee HANNAH::IGLOO$:[OSMAN]ERIC.VT240Wed Nov 09 1994 14:089

I'm glad to hear you spoke directly.  I feel good knowing you took a stand
to take care of yourself.

I can relate to your feeling uncomfortable afterwards, but you somehow realized
that what you said needed to be said.  Good work !

/Eric
82.7wanted crushes @ work::::::::::::::::OFOSS1::RAGUCCIThu Dec 08 1994 23:5821
    
    
    
    what about wanted crushes @ work????????????????