I think a direct approach is best and not caring if the person gets offended but also not trying to offend them. Something like “Sorry i don’t feel comfortable with you asking about my personal life can we keep the conversation professional?”

Then if they dont accept that, and keep at it is when youd go to HR.

Most of what I’m seeing here sounds too confrontational or passive aggressive to me. What I would do personally is wait until he asks you if everything is okay again and then say something like this:

“Yeah, all good here. So you know, I’m not quiet because something is wrong in my life or between us, I’m just very introverted and my natural state of being is not to open up”

Most people tend to assume other people’s internal state is works similarly to their own, unless it’s an aspect where they know they are far removed from the norm, so for an extrovert, they equate you being quiet to what would cause them to be quiet. Without telling him the reason you act differently, he will continue to assume this.

By wording it as an FYI, you give the opportunity for him to understand the difference and change his behavior without telling him he has been doing something wrong, because best as he knows he hasn’t been, and so you hopefully prevent him from getting defensive.

If he continues, then maybe you can go to a more confrontational approach. That’s how I would handle, at least.

I am also a woman and I’m guessing you are not from your username, so ymmv with communication like this.

Become their best friend. Setup a hang out outside of work in the worst part of town. Don’t show up. Make excuses. Do it again next week. Do it again until they hate you.

Just kidding. Set boundaries and pray the respect them. If they don’t buy a valve stem key for tires. Barely loosen the stem so that it takes 3-4 days for their tires get flat. Repeat until they lose their job.

Just kidding. Stay in the basement, get fired for missing work, become homeless, get a job somewhere else.

There we go… juuuuust right.

I’d always suggest being direct instead of waiting for other people to take a hint. Tactfully, mind you. Phrase it in a relaxed, emotionally neutral way that doesn’t single him out. Something like “Really, I am doing fine. When I’m at work, I just prefer to focus on the work itself instead of talking with people. I’m more at ease that way.”

That being said, is this the kind of work situation where you’re one of many options to make friends with or is it more of a you and him stuck in a room together all day type of thing? He sounds like a lonely person and if the two of you are stuck together then the best idea might be to seek a social compromise between you two’s preferences, like designating some specific portions of the day as times when it’s appropriate to have a conversation. You try to be sociable for him when it’s on, he tries to be quiet for you when it’s off.

“Fuck off”

I would go to HR since this sounds like covert harassment to me. Don’t think it’s ridiculous - you have the right to be left in peace. Lots of red flags on your post. However, it’s worth trying to talk to him first, so here are my suggestions:

If you are working: sorry Mr Loy, this is not a good moment. I’m trying to get work done

If you are not working, but also not ballsy enough to tell him to go away: sorry, I need to go ( go to the toilet or just pretend to be in a rush)

If you really want to set up boundaries anytime (recommended): thanks Mr Loy but I’m not interested

The tone in which you say things has a lot of weight though. If you can sound tired and bored of him, all the better. People who pick and harrass others typically go after people who react either hysterically or annoyed, or also after people who appear coy or shy and polite. I hope this helps.

It’s hard to refuse someone who on the surface is just being friendly, and who might take your rejection as a harsh assault on their fragile personality.

I think just try to communicate to him that he’s distracting you from work. He might not actually realise.

If he can’t be reasoned with, then maybe yes go to HR

Are headphones a possibility in your workplace?

Tell him straight up. Unfortunately the only approach is direct or it will get worse. After you tell him, tell your boss the conversation in case the coworker tries to be petty and report you.

I am a manager at my job and see this type of stuff all the time. Could it be he simply wants to be friendly? Sure. Either way it’s better to be direct so there is zero confusion.

I would tell him, “Look John, you’re a nice guy but I’m not interested in making small talk with you”. And then just continue your work. If he doesn’t leave you alone after that then it’s time to go to HR. Please do not feel bad. Some people lack self awareness at the workplace and don’t know how to act in a professional setting.

'None of your business, motherfucker."

going to HR over this seems ridiculous…

do this anyways.

they’re creating drama for themselves and it will suck in more people if they don’t get the validation they’re seeking. either figure out how to give them what they want in a way that works for you (this usually doesn’t work) or do everything in your power to protect yourself.

warning: if management sees them as more valuable than you are; you can expect going to hr to backfire.

Something like “I don’t like to chat at work”.

The other suggestions seem far too inviting for follow-up or could be perceived as sidelong attacks.

That phrasing is hard to follow-up on, though not impossible, and focuses only on you. I suspect you also don’t chat with others, so they probably can’t say something like “But you chat with Johnny?”

Talking about what they’re doing that annoys you opens a conversation about them feeling attacked or maybe trying to find alternate ways to talk to you etc. You don’t need to explain why you don’t want to chat because that will open other conversations. They probably will try to follow up or redirect, but calmly insisting that you prefer not to chat may work.

HR is generally a bad place for employees to take issues since their stated job is to protect the company from liability their employees might incur. If you have a union or some other third party resource go to them first, then go to HR if they advise it. Since HR is interested in protecting the company from liability created by employees you may be able to aim them at the other employee, but you need to be sure that’s what they’ll do before going to them, otherwise they may view you as the liability.

EDIT: And you don’t need to wait for them to ask if you’re OK. If your issue is that they’re talking about non-work and that’s not why you’re there, just bring that up immediately.

And also be clear they can still talk to you as long as it’s work related, and that you’re not refusing to work with them. Otherwise you become an HR problem.

You do sound rather aggresive. :) We introverts can be friendly as well. He is probably just insecure about the situation.

deleted by creator

Tell him you feel shy around him because you’re attracted to him, and then ask him out on a date. Either he’ll leave you alone or you’ll get some. Win/win