HELP! Co-Worker Problem!

[glee]

Okay, this might seem like a really trivial problem, but it is driving me NUTS at work and making my work day a real struggle. I was wondering if anyone could give me any advice.

I work in a "cube" environment, and there are 4 other people in cubes who are close round me. We had a new guy come and sit over here recently (starting about a month ago), and I don't know him and he's not even in my group of the company. But he has this intensely irritating habit of clearing his throat about 4 times a minute. And this is not a normal clearing-of-throat, but it is very very loud and long and... well, just intrusive. And this is not because he is sick - it's been going on for the whole time he's been over here.

This is driving me nuts, but I don't know what to do about it. It is loud, distracting, and just downright annoying. But I feel helpless. First of all, I'm not a very confrontational person. Secondly, he's not even in our group. I just don't know what to do, but this is making me miserable. Does anyone have any suggestions, ANY suggestions atall, as to how I can handle this situation?

I have tried putting my headphones on, but even if I have them really loud I can still hear him every time he does this. It's weird- it's so loud and so constant, I can't believe his family/personal friends haven't ever mentioned it to him.

This sounds silly but is really important to me and I'm at my wits end. PLEASE - any advice? Thank you!

[SydneyK]

Tell him that you couldn't help but notice that he has been clearing his throat a lot lately, and you wondered if he might need a cough drop, mint, etc. (Be sure you hold one out as you're asking.) He'll probably take it, even if he doesn't want it. If nothing else, he'll realize that others can hear him. He may not even notice that he's got such a habit.

[Rio_Kohitsuji]

Throw a stapler at him, that'll get his attention.

If it doesn't the first time, throw bigger heavier objects.

[adpiucf]

Tell him he is distracting you. If he can't help it, talk to your boss and have your cube moved. If they won't comply, get another job.

[Dionysus]

Sounds like a nervous tic. Tell him to lay off the coffee or mt. dew.

[CrimsonTide4]

I had something very similar happen in my old seat but it was a woman. It annoyed the dog mess out of me. You have my sympathy and you're right, music does not drown it out.

[lilbay77]

Originally Posted by Dionysus

Sounds like a nervous tic.

I was thinking he may have Tourette's Syndrome.