Get out of my face and please stop touching me!

[ptcruzinkim]

I don't know where people at work got the idea that it is 1) just fine and dandy to come right up behind me and tap me on the shoulder and 2) lean over my shoulder and wave things in my face! I am a proofreader and need a LOT of concentration and little interruption. I am a big proponent of personal space and would not ever imagine it was ok to get right in someone's personal space and do what these people imagine is going to fly with me. I don't mind the ones that knock on my desk. I'm just fine with that. But these cubicles are small enough with everyone's stuff in them, the last thing I need or want is another body in my space.

I know what I need to do and that's to address the culprits but Little Miss Doesn't Want To Rock The Boat, instead sits there and fumes. If I were anywhere but work, I'd have no problem at all telling someone how it is with me.

Finally what I ended up doing was pulling my rolling cabinets out and setting up a barrier to prevent people from doing this. I am not at everyone's beck and call and God help the one that still gets in my space!

Not really looking for advice but needing to vent.

[Clara Bow]

Have you considered developing body odor? That could help....LOL
I know how you feel. I hate for people to stick things in my face in particular. Why can't they just say "Excuse me 'Kate' when you have a minute I have something I need you to look at"?? Would that kill them??
I like your barrier idea, I think that that should be just fine for controlling the problem. Good luck!

[ptcruzinkim]

Thanks.

I talked with my supervisor about it and she suggested doing what some others have done, which was to put a sign up that says "Do Not Disturb". So far it's helped but the day is still young too.

[hobish]

If someone came up behind me at work & taped me on the shoulder they'd be in danger of me biting their fingers off, ha ha.

I like your barrier ides

[AmethystAnne]

I might be tempted to give a good imitation of someone being startled: "jump', throwing your arms out and possibly (preferably) hinting the person who tapped you. And then saying innocently, "Oh! I'm sorry. I didn't realize you were standing so close."

[girlmusic]

I don't know where people at work got the idea that it is 1) just fine and dandy to come right up behind me and tap me on the shoulder

I have a nifty little mirror on my monitor (sort of like a rearview mirror for a car). I can see who is coming up behind me so there are no surprises.

[Verruca]

I have a nifty little mirror on my monitor (sort of like a rearview mirror for a car). I can see who is coming up behind me so there are no surprises.

I LOVE my monitor mirror.  If you decide to get one, ptcruzinkim, just go to the automotive section at whatever 'Mart you frequent - they sell convex stick-on mirrors (the kind intended to supplement side view mirrors on vans and trucks) for a dollar or two.  You get a larger field of vision and it's cheaper than mirrors marketed as monitor mirrors.

[ptcruzinkim]

Thanks for the mirror idea. I think I'll look into that.

[Esther_bunny]

I have a nifty little mirror on my monitor (sort of like a rearview mirror for a car). I can see who is coming up behind me so there are no surprises.

That's a great idea! I'm so tired of people just walking up behind me at my desk and standing there until I "feel" their presence. Grrrrr!

[Yarnspinner]

I once had a co-worker who thought it was cute to sneak up behind people while they were drinking from a water fountain and do the index finger poke in the side move.  He stopped after a couple of us spit the water out on him.