How do you tell a coworker to quit annoying habbits without being rude?

Office is shared by approx. 7 people squished together. Coworker's habits are:

1. talking too loudly
2. chewing with mouth open
3. taking off shoes (slip on shoes w/o socks) to reveal stinky sweaty feet. The feet smell soooooo bad.

It's kind of an odd job. E-mail is not an option and there aren't cubicles....we're all in there together on and off throughout the day.

Next time (s)he is chewing loudly, pretend you are on the phone and this is the exact conversation you have

"... yes.... yes let me get that number for you 56814235... no isaid 568... what noise?... oh no just someone chewing gum... sorry about that... 5..6..8..1..4..2..3..5.. ok you got it? Have a wonderful day." (S)he will get the hint.

Get some airfresheners. And everytime (s)he takes off her shoes, don't make faces or anything, just spray your freshener. (S)he will get the hint.


Everytime she talks loudly, whisper/talk really softly. (S)he will soon get the hint.

Next time they are doing their deed, stick your head in their cube and say "Excuse me - do you mind if I fart?" Regardless, just go on ahead. Keep this up. You may not win, but at least you'll feel more relaxed.

Fake email.... And specifics ...
Eg:

"Hi my name is ivan and im a friend of one of your co-workers. He has to much respect for you to say this .... bla bla bla... please stop xxxxxx"

Altho im a blunt person

The best way is to just tell them, Most people can't smell their own body odor so therefore they are unaware of the problem.
And besides, asking someone to please talk quietly the rest of use are working isn't being rude. It's simply the truth.
If you are afraid of saying something then go to the boos and point out these poor Habits and ask them to address them.
Personally I would just tell them candidly, Hey BOB, You know i have noticed that you have some really stinky foot odor you talk to loud and you chew with your moth open like a child.
I really wish you would stop these poor habits so the rest of us don't have to suffer from it.
Sometimes the truth is a hard thing, But you know that person will at least respect your honesty!
Good Luck

Ha ha! I've got some of that going on where I work too. Because of the incessant chatterbox across the room and by my desk, I brought some ear plugs to work and stuck them in my ears. It was the best workday of my life. When someone finally got my attention who wanted to talk with me, I made a point of letting them see me take one out to hear them with. They got the point. (though I still have them and use them when needed). You might also consider earphones and listen to music.

As for the stinky feet, take some air freshener and sit it on your desk. As soon as the shoes come off, nonchalantly spray some in the air. Do it everytime he takes them off. It will relieve the stinky feet smell and he might get the hint.

Not sure about the gum. Perhaps the ear plugs will help cover the smacking noise.

i am sorry for u!

do what they do except to an even bigger extreme. and if there are any cameras watching then you can tell them they do that too and theres the proof.


a.k.a. getting a taste of their own medicine


if that doesnt work then just be honest about it