I think workers should make a good relationship with each other and help each other, then the business will be better and better.

I had an office mate who made these noises as well. Despite liking her a great deal it did irritate me. Admittedly, I didn’t make a fuss; but I also noticed the next person who shared an office with my old office mate created an entirely separate area by constructing a movable wall. I often wondered if it was as disturbing to him as it was to me.

Maybe you were too quick to judge the questioner’s sensitivity to noise. I think the people making these noises may have a tic of some type. My office mate cleared her throat all day long every three minutes. It was maddening to be constantly reminded of someone else’s presence while attempting to concentrate.

Get a white noise generator. You can also get the same noise on a cd that you can play through your comuter speakers. You may also download files from the internet to play.

It may be that she has a serious medical problem. You might suggest that she see a doctor. I used to have a cube-mate who was frequently burping - he explained that he had GERD, so it didn't bother me because I realized he couldn't help it.

Agreed, too sensitive. I am too but am less tolerant with the one person in my office who I have a tough time liking. So I put on earphones and listen to great music. What is the proper etiquette for my co-workers when eating say an Apple or Potato Chips in an open floor plan only four to ten feet away from me and they don't chew with their mouth closed or lick and slurp on Yogurt containers? With one of my neighbors, I can hear them open and close their mouth on what sounds to be very wet or moist lips. Uggh. I do believe there are a host of medical issues to boot. If she would just do some darn work and cut out the personal phone calls and sharing the same mundane details of her life over and over and over all day long. Music, that's it, play some music!

Unless you can get moved to a different room, which is what I would try first, I would go invest in a nice set of noise canceling headphones. Do not skimp!! Get good ones as you get what you pay for them and if you are wearing them every day for most of the day, you want comfort. I did this and it saved my sanity in the office I used to work in. Years later, I still have the headphones and though I have left that job, I use them regularly and get great joy and peace about tuning others out with them.

As to the Marie G. McIntyre answering this person. Obviously you have never worked in an office or cube area with a person who constantly makes noise. Your response is simply worthless. You could have saved a lot of copy and just said "suck it up" and been just as wrong.

I think the "workplace coach" who answered this question is oblivious. I read an article several years ago (I really wish I could point you to it now) that said each of us is caused stress by one of our senses more so than the other senses; I am one of the people who is stressed by noises too. My husband is stressed by smells - especially food smells. But, my point is this: it's ignorant to accuse the person posing this question of being "over sensitive" - on the contrary Marie, you are being uneducated, and over-simplifying a real problem that exists as our work places shrink in around us. This is workplace stress and should not be dismissed simply because YOU don't know the proper way to advise someone how to handle it.

@D.N.

Thank you. Well said.

Become friendly with your neighbor and make a concerted effort to like them. Then, significantly increase your use of cruciferous veggies about an hour before lunch. You will get your daily fiber, and your new 'friend' will be the great sounds your stomach will make...and I guarantee you'll not hear any burping trying to not fart at work. And if you do let one rip, the noisy neighbor will be entertained enough to say something so you now have an open door to talk about her burping, throat-clearing ways. Just remember, you're doing the extra fiber because you need it, and its better for you, not in retaliation to a noisy co-worker.

--Rip