New guy at work on my nerves, strange habits

[jgln]

There is this new guy here at work, trying to fit in I guess, but he has an annoying habit of coming over and just picking up my stuff to check it out. So far he grabbed my phone (cell phone) out of my hands without asking, when I went to grab it back he resisted, again just picked up my cell phone off my desk without asking, papers on my desk and start reading them, picked up my keys to my truck to look at them, all without asking first.

Just a minute ago he came over to talk and leaned over the top of my computer screen to see what I had up (HBT) and before I could minimize the window, WTF.

I have seen him do this to others too, one woman said he leaned across her and wanted to start typing stuff into her computer.

The guy is from Boston, but originally from Africa and seeing how young he is and with his accent my guess he has not been here long, maybe a few years. To top it off very hard to understand, speaks low and says weird stuff like “Well Done!” as a greeting. What the hell does that even mean??? He had to write it on paper (misspelled) for me to get it.

What do you think? Just his culture?

I think he doesn’t know better I don’t want to hurt his feelings.


...time to go home now.

Oh..and he comes into work an hour early when no one is here, only been here a few weeks. I wonder what he looks through then???

 

[Cubslover]

Everyone has them, ignore them and go on. Or do as I do, ream his ass and tell him to get lost.

 

[jgln]

All I know is if I know he is in the men's room I ain't going in there and if I am already there and he comes in I'm out of there....

 

[jgln]

Apparently no one ever told him to ask to see what does not belong to him. Invite him in your house and the next thing he is rooting through your fridge...maybe even your underwear drawer when you are not looking.

 

[Vance71975]

There is this new guy here at work, trying to fit in I guess, but he has an annoying habit of coming over and just picking up my stuff to check it out. So far he grabbed my phone (cell phone) out of my hands without asking, when I went to grab it back he resisted, again just picked up my cell phone off my desk without asking, papers on my desk and start reading them, picked up my keys to my truck to look at them, all without asking first.

Just a minute ago he came over to talk and leaned over the top of my computer screen to see what I had up (HBT) and before I could minimize the window, WTF.

I have seen him do this to others too, one woman said he leaned across her and wanted to start typing stuff into her computer.

The guy is from Boston, but originally from Africa and seeing how young he is and with his accent my guess he has not been here long, maybe a few years. To top it off very hard to understand, speaks low and says weird stuff like “Well Done!” as a greeting. What the hell does that even mean??? He had to write it on paper (misspelled) for me to get it.

What do you think? Just his culture?

I think he doesn’t know better I don’t want to hurt his feelings.


...time to go home now.

Oh..and he comes into work an hour early when no one is here, only been here a few weeks. I wonder what he looks through then???

I would take it to management, that is in invasion of your privacy not to mention, it is not only RUDE to mess with your stuff, but to take your phone OUT of your hand is over the limit, not to mention invading your personal body space. Complain before it gets worse, if management wont handle it, Chew his ass out, tell him to STAY AWAY from you unless it is WORK RELATED and to keep his hands OFF YOUR PROPERTY!

 

[beninan]

All I know is if I know he is in the men's room I ain't going in there and if I am already there and he comes in I'm out of there....

(looks over shoulder, grabs "object" fom hand)
"Well Done!"

 

[Airborneguy]

If anyone other than a really good friend or family member grabbed anything out of my hand I'd punch them in the face, period. With him resisting, that fits the legal definition of robbery by the way.

 

[jmendez29]

Oh..and he comes into work an hour early when no one is here, only been here a few weeks. I wonder what he looks through then???

First, I'd lock my stuff up every day. I'm sure you probably already do that, but just be extra vigilant about it.

Aside from that, I'm guessing its a difference in culture. I'd give the guy the benefit of the doubt and find a way to talk to him about it. Maybe ask a supervisor to intervene and bring up his behaviors, not so much in a way to get him in trouble, but to demonstrate how in an office environment (at least in America) these behaviors are considered intrusive and offensive. If the behaviors don't change, then there will be consequences. The least of which will be a high level of mistrust of him amongst the coworkers. When it comes down to it, he may just not know any better.

 

[dfc]

Deal with the problem yourself before becoming a "Narc". I'd talk to the guy and tell him his behavior is not OK. If he refuses to acknowledge it or just ignores it I'd take the issue to management.

I can't stand adults who can't deal with their own problems. Try being an adult before you go "tattling" on someone.

 

[mr_goodwrench]

I agree with dfc. I would imagine that it is a cultural difference and that he probably doesn't know how to act here. Just tell him that in the US, what he does is not 'Well Done!'

 

[Homercidal]

I sense a great It's Always Sunny epsiode coming from this...

 

[bad67z]

Deal with the problem yourself before becoming a "Narc". I'd talk to the guy and tell him his behavior is not OK. If he refuses to acknowledge it or just ignores it I'd take the issue to management.

I can't stand adults who can't deal with their own problems. Try being an adult before you go "tattling" on someone.

+1 to dfc's comments. If this guy was born in the US he would understand our expectations of personal space and boundaries. Do your part to help him understand "our" way. If it falls on deaf ears, have a talk with supervision/hr.

 

[viking73]

Get a squirt bottle filled with water and every time he grabs something of yours spray him in the face and yell "NO! BAD KITTY!"

 

[Darwin18]

Seriously, be an adult and let your co-worker know that your work area and property belong to you and it's not alright from him to come and touch your belongings without your permission. I imagine this is just a cultural thing and he doesn't know that what he is doing isn't okay with you and your co-workers.

If that doesn't work, speak with your manager. Do not sit there and rage to yourself.

 

[passedpawn]

Seriously, be an adult and let your co-worker know that your work area and property belong to you and it's not alright from him to come and touch your belongings without your permission. I imagine this is just a cultural thing and he doesn't know that what he is doing isn't okay with you and your co-workers.

If that doesn't work, speak with your manager. Do not sit there and rage to yourself.

Alright, who let the mature logical guy in here? (j/k, I agree 100%)

 

[jgln]

I am still trying to feel him out I guess, it would be easier if I knew him better. He has only been working with me 2less than 2 weeks and I am only on the job myself 5 months. It's not like he is digging into my bag or anything, just too curious I guess. Again, I need to work with him so I want to be civil. I am just thinking how to go about it that is all.

BTW I am very much an adult for those who think I am not...that is why I am not going to my manager, punching him in the face, telling him to F off etc. I was kind of venting I guess until I find the right moment. He is obviously not intentionaly rude, otherwise he seems nice. It is just me and another woman and then him working alone all night 10pm-6am so we need to work together. I just thought his actions strange and wanted to know what you thought. You have to admit it is awkward to have and bring this up, right?

 

[HokieBrewer]

(looks over shoulder, grabs "object" fom hand)
"Well Done!"

This definitely made me LOL.

 

[jgln]

(looks over shoulder, grabs "object" fom hand)
"Well Done!"

..hmmmm maybe that is what he was talking about?? I feel better now.

 

[jgln]

I can't stand adults who can't deal with their own problems. Try being an adult before you go "tattling" on someone.

I am assuming you are talking about previous advise to go to management? I had no intentions in this case. I hope you don't mean you can't stand I brought this up for discussion because I can't deal with my own problems...

 

[jgln]

Get a squirt bottle filled with water and every time he grabs something of yours spray him in the face and yell "NO! BAD KITTY!"

Now that's funny!!

 

[bniesen]

get a squirt bottle filled with water and every time he grabs something of yours spray him in the face and yell "no! Bad kitty!"

+2 :d

 

[Joker]

Seriously, be an adult and let your co-worker know that your work area and property belong to you and it's not alright from him to come and touch your belongings without your permission. I imagine this is just a cultural thing and he doesn't know that what he is doing isn't okay with you and your co-workers.

If that doesn't work, speak with your manager. Do not sit there and rage to yourself.

+eleventy, you could help the guy fit in and understand our culture better, since apparently no one else has taken the time to explain it to him.

If he doesn't catch on, every time he picks something up poke him in the eye, eventually he will have both hands covering his face when he comes to your desk and won't be able to pick anything up..... I hope.

 

[jgln]

BTW, he is not rude. For example, he holds the door for me way too long, way after I am in the clear zone. I tell him I got it but he still holds it for me. It is weird I guess, never had to deal with this kind of thing to this extent. In my business I work with LOTS of foreigners from other countries and have for many year and this is the first time in my life (I am 50) I have ever had to deal with this behavior.



Disclosure: Since I work nights I drink at this hours..........so please understand if I make no sense..

 

[jgln]

+eleventy, you could help the guy fit in and understand our culture better, since apparently no one else has taken the time to explain it to him.

If he doesn't catch on, every time he picks something up poke him in the eye, eventually he will have both hands covering his face when he comes to your desk and won't be able to pick anything up..... I hope.

LOL (lots of laughs, not lots of love)

 

[jgln]

....oh, he also has one eye that looks one way and the other at you so that makes it even more difficult. I fell like I still don't know which one, so I really feel like a complete communication disconnect with him. That is why I am taking it slow.

 

[Homercidal]

Mom! Billy's touching me again!

 

[viking73]

Maybe just ask him why he's always grabbing stuff?

 

[Vance71975]

Deal with the problem yourself before becoming a "Narc". I'd talk to the guy and tell him his behavior is not OK. If he refuses to acknowledge it or just ignores it I'd take the issue to management.

I can't stand adults who can't deal with their own problems. Try being an adult before you go "tattling" on someone.

Being an ADULT means reporting things when needed, Managers are there for a REASON, it is not "tattling" to expect them to do their job, which is to, at least in part,MANAGE EMPLOYEE BEHAVIOR. In this situation, handling it yourself is NOT WISE, If you chew the guy out, and he goes to the manager and says he feels that you discriminated against him because of his skin color, culture, etc YOU may very well end up being the one FIRED. Hence why I say LET MANAGEMENT HANDLE IT!

 

[Vance71975]

Get a squirt bottle filled with water and every time he grabs something of yours spray him in the face and yell "NO! BAD KITTY!"

That is GREAT! Also put a teaspoon of Ammonia in it, just for the burn effect, that will learn him!

Screw it, Get a can of pepper spray, and Spray him if he tries to touch your stuff, if he reports it, simply say you felt afraid for your well being because of him invading your personal space!

 

[TxBrew]

I've read in Africa the sense of possession is different than most other places.