What do you think of my solution?

I share an office - but no job responsibilitiews with another man. This man sits and stares blankly at his computer 80% of the day EASILY. Just sits and stares. He interrupts my work periodically with stupid questions like what is so and so's number. I have given him a phone list and it hangs on the wall next to him, he still will ask for numbers. He also asks me how to spell words - I gave him a site to a dictionary on-line as in reality I am not the worlds greatest speller, he still just asks me. He will say, "What department does Mary work in?" - I showed him how to look up employees on the database but he never does.

So I have begun giving him incorrect information. He has been calling the wrong people and them telling me I got the number wrong and I am like, 'Really, huh?" and go on back to work.

Do you think this will resolve my little problem?

Some of you guys are fun - it would be great to work with you!!!

He may just be reaching out to simply communicate. Some people in the workplace are what we call "loners" and for the most part it is because they are shy.

Maybe that's the reason?

It should.

Unless he's really not bright... Oh, wait. Nope, he's still going to be a problem for you.

yeah!

Yes I do! You could always try wearing headphones too and just act like you can't hear him.

Awesome. Punish this dipsh**.

no not really.

email him the list.

get some head phones and listen to music.

let him know you're busy and can't help.

ask him what he did to the list you gave him earlier.

Absolutely not! You already see it's creating more opportunities for him to pester you.

Why not try the direct approach and suggest he use his brain to find the answers to the many little things he asks?

You have my sympathy. What a dolt.

Have you consulted your superior? If he is reducing your efficiency, if I were your boss, I would want to know so to keep an eye on him.

Yes and I love it , served the dummy right***

Well to a certain point yeah. He'll think you're as dumb as he is (which in reality you may not be) and he will go and bother someone else till he gets tired. He will pick up the hint in time.

If you're hoping to get him to stop asking you to supply info for him, there's a better way. Prepare a printout of all the links and info you've given him in the past. When he asks a question, hand him a copy. A few copies and he'll get the message. Or do it in email form. Or post it on the wall and point when he asks. :)

Maybe a little but you know you are far more creative than this. If it continues why not take a week of vacation and make sure that he does not know that you are going on vacation.

Then on your last Friday before you go on vacation, have two of your buddies come in in white pants and coats with little name badges on them.

Have them greet you like a long lost friend and you respond by calling them by their names. Let them know you were having such a good time at your job you hate to go back to Happy Valley.

Have one of them tell him one of his co-workers drove him nuts asking silly questions and her is a card so that if he shows up he can call for them to come after him again.

Then after you have been gone for the week on your vacation show back up for work as if nothing happened and see if the guy calls Happy Valley for them to come and get you again.

Each day have your buddies come after you at the end of the day for a week or so.

This should drive him completely silly thinking he caused you to flip out and need secured treatment.

this may work, but you are sacrificing your credibility and reputation... i think you should be more direct with him and just tell him you are busy and cant help him all day long... tell him to take some time out of surfing the net and look things up for himself!!

I would love to work with you. You sound like I do. I think you're right on track. If the dolt doesn't catch on, turn it into a private joke that you only share with yourself or your partner.
At leaste get a good laugh out of it all.

OUTSTANDING idea! lol... but on the flip side he may be too stupid to realize what you are doing... and thus continue to be a problem... so go in early one day and pack up his desk, when he shows up confused say "i dont know, MAYBE you got terminated" maybe hell just pick up his stuff and leave... he then gets terminated for no-call no-show the next few days. or glue his desk drawers shut, or fill them with cat litter (or both LOL). eventually he may get the point. ;) good luck.

I am not sure why polite, direct and clear communication is not better than your roundabout, malicious, passive aggressive manner.

Just say, "Hey, Bob, I don't in any way mean to be rude, and I like working with you and all. But I have quite a bit to do, and I really don't have the time to look up words and phone numbers for you. Would you mind very much looking up that basic information on your own?" Pause for his answer. "Thanks very much! - Hey, look, no hard feelings o.k. - it's really not a huge deal, i just am under a lot of pressure. Thanks again, it'll be a big help."

Done.

I dont know, but you have like more points than anyone I have seen on here.

I like your sense of humor & your solution, but will it ultimately solve your problem? I think you have about a 50/50 shot at it!

Here's why: Some people are just stupid! PC? no, but true!

Or maybe he is just annoying, or he desperately needs a friend and so he asks you questions all day to have someone to talk to.

If he doesn't leave you alone after this, and it really annoys you , you could tell him that you are so busy right now at the office that you really don't have time to talk to him at your desks. Tell him that you are sorry, but you may not hear him the next time he asks you something. Then just completely ignore him. Ignoring long enough usually sends the message in the long run.