The DU Lounge

The Velveteen Ocelot

(115,670 posts)

4. He might be a person who is uncomfortable making small talk but feels like he has to do it,

Wed Nov 6, 2019, 10:09 PM

Nov 2019

so he says these sort of random but seemingly innocuous observations about you. Maybe that's just because he doesn't know what to say because he's a nerd, but he's read somewhere that it's important to pay attention to the person he's talking to. So, his observations come off as awkward and weird. Unless he says something offensive, it's probably better to let it go, or else respond with "Yes, I like iced tea. Do you like it?" or "Yes, I like gray sweaters. Gray is a nice neutral color that goes with everything." Then just smile and go back to work.

Edit history

Please sign in to view edit histories.

59 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

Something that drives me crazy at work. [View all] smirkymonkey Nov 2019 OP

Maybe he doesn't know how to make small talk. flying rabbit Nov 2019 #1

GMTA--check out time stamps! nt tblue37 Nov 2019 #3

Yep! flying rabbit Nov 2019 #9

I agree. zanana1 Nov 2019 #39

He might just be socially awkward. Some people just don't know how to make small talk, but tblue37 Nov 2019 #2

You may be right. Thanks for your input. smirkymonkey Nov 2019 #7

He might be a person who is uncomfortable making small talk but feels like he has to do it, The Velveteen Ocelot Nov 2019 #4

He actually is socially awkward. He's very friendly and nice and I should give him the smirkymonkey Nov 2019 #5

I'm like that too. I don't even like compliments. dawg day Nov 2019 #37

Thanks dawg day! smirkymonkey Nov 2019 #41

There's always at least one irritating person in any office. brush Nov 2019 #6

I think work is really getting to me. smirkymonkey Nov 2019 #10

If there isn't... it's you. ret5hd Nov 2019 #12

This message was self-deleted by its author Chin music Nov 2019 #27

I join the 'awkward at small talk" group, he sounds like he has settled on a few fit alls that he braddy Nov 2019 #8

You may be right. He's actually a very nice person, but for some reason, these types of smirkymonkey Nov 2019 #14

It isn't your fault that those comments are kind of annoying to you, those are the type that would braddy Nov 2019 #26

You know something braddy, I think I just had an epiphany. smirkymonkey Nov 2019 #31

Those kind of weird comments set my defenses pnwest Nov 2019 #32

Since the beginning, there has been something about him that has bothered me, but smirkymonkey Nov 2019 #35

I remembered the book: pnwest Nov 2019 #36

Maybe he has a crush on you Ohiogal Nov 2019 #11

It's funny who ends up getting promoted, isn't it? smirkymonkey Nov 2019 #15

It's not your fault Ohiogal Nov 2019 #18

No, he doesn't. I have noticed he never makes those comments to men since smirkymonkey Nov 2019 #21

This message was self-deleted by its author Chin music Nov 2019 #28

My oldest daughter says things like that. griffi94 Nov 2019 #13

I was thinking her boss might have Asperger's or be borderline Asperger's. nt tblue37 Nov 2019 #16

Right. griffi94 Nov 2019 #19

I guess some people think that it might be a way for them to relate to another person. smirkymonkey Nov 2019 #17

Like someone upthread suggested. griffi94 Nov 2019 #20

He doesn't, but he also constantly talks about things that aren't appropriate, such as how smirkymonkey Nov 2019 #22

I understand your POV griffi94 Nov 2019 #23

I am neither therapist nor counselor, but I think... TreasonousBastard Nov 2019 #24

Thanks Treasonous. smirkymonkey Nov 2019 #25

aren't these people kinda just known as assholes? Skittles Nov 2019 #29

It's a little more complicated than that, but sometimes I really feel that way. smirkymonkey Nov 2019 #33

I'm like you, can't stand those comments intrepidity Nov 2019 #30

I would love nothing more than to be able to work alone always. smirkymonkey Nov 2019 #34

I'm agreeing with Ohiogal and several others discntnt_irny_srcsm Nov 2019 #38

I am wfh today. My heat isn't working and I need to wait for the managers to fix it. smirkymonkey Nov 2019 #42

A t-shirt you can wear for both the managers at home and the ones at work discntnt_irny_srcsm Nov 2019 #46

Perfect! smirkymonkey Nov 2019 #47

Food commentary at work - I know it well. Esp if you eat/drink anything that your mainstream work Kashkakat v.2.0 Nov 2019 #40

The thing is that he has so many bizarre little food and drink quirks. smirkymonkey Nov 2019 #43

Like other answers have implied LuckyCharms Nov 2019 #44

Yes! That is exactly what he is like. He always has to say SOMETHING! smirkymonkey Nov 2019 #45

Ya know... Apropos my earlier comment, you really shouldn't... TreasonousBastard Nov 2019 #48

As I was reading reading this last night, SM Niagara Nov 2019 #49

Thanks Niagara! smirkymonkey Nov 2019 #50

You should feel complimented that he makes these comments. He obviously likes you. He is just Doodley Nov 2019 #51

I don't know. Maybe. smirkymonkey Nov 2019 #52

communication apprehension (CA) NJCher Nov 2019 #54

Thanks NJ Cher! smirkymonkey Nov 2019 #56

I think your last paragraph explains wnylib Nov 2019 #57

Thank you wnylib! smirkymonkey Nov 2019 #59

Sm, without knowing this guy, my best guess would be.... KY_EnviroGuy Nov 2019 #53

You could be right about that. I was thinking wnylib Nov 2019 #58

He sounds very insecure. betsuni Nov 2019 #55