I'm not listening...

I don't understand why some people don't get the fact that you are not, have no intention, of listening to them?

I have a colleague at work who has this problem. First, she proceeds to come up to me at my computer and start talking about how some guy invited her to dinner on her birthday, yet it is only a "friendly dinner." She doesn't want him to think that if she goes to eat with him, it means something more. Can she not see that I am busy working and don't have time to stop and give her a response to a question that I don't know how to answer?! So I take a few seconds before I mumble some crappy advice, while I am still typing, in hopes she will get the idea that I am not interested. Nope, doesn't work. She goes on and continues about how they went out once before and she wasn't dressed appropriately to get into the club, but did so because she knows the doorman. Again, I nod and pretend to acknowledge her statement, in hopes she will find her way away from my desk. Nothing. She goes on again, and this time I ignore her completely , pretending to be deeply concentrated on my task at hand. Finally she gets it and says "I don't know what to do and walks away."

Phew she's gone. I can get back to my work and not pretend I am suffering through an episode of Dr. Phil. Ha, do you think my luck would last that long? 20 minutes later she comes back with news that he sent her an email saying that he understands the dinner is completely mutual and there are no feelings involved. Once again, she sticks around for 10-15 minutes sharing details and stories that I have no interest in before departing to annoy someone else for the day.

I have no problem giving advice and helping someone with a problem, but it's all about timing. Come find me at lunch, or in the gym and we can talk for two hours for all I care. It's just when I am doing my thing, in my zone, I don't want to be distracted.

New blog idea... "Tips on How to Tell if Someone is Ignoring You Because They Are Not Interested in What You Have to Say..."