Usability Views Article Details  home | timeline | recent | popular | e-reports | userati | about this site Office Handbook: Chapter 63 Busybodies (01 Jan 2004) Disengagement: When colleagues feel compelled to unburden themselves to you (e.g., "My cat spit up a nasty hairball;" "I found my husband in bed with three other people;" etc.), try blunting the assault with nonverbal nods and grunts. Do not attempt wry humor or sly putdowns, which can be misconstrued as signs of interest. Always avoid eye contact. Article URL: http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/78/officehandbook.html Read 23 more articles from Fast Company sorted by date, popularity, or title. Next Article: Principles and Architecture for a Conversational Agent This site is a labour of love built by Chris McEvoy