Response to a coworker

[dedicatedenglish]

I'm trying to come up with a good response to a coworker talking about their personal drama with me.

I'm thinking "I'm not your therapist, you know" or "you talking about your personal drama isn't going to make me like you more" or "maybe we save your personal drama for your friends". I know these are direct and blunt but I appreciate any feedback.

 

[Tarheel]

I'm trying to come up with a good response to a coworker talking about their personal drama with me.

I'm thinking "I'm not your therapist, you know" or "you talking about your personal drama isn't going to make me like you more" or "maybe we save your personal drama for your friends". I know these are direct and blunt but I WOULD appreciate any ADVICE.

Try:

No offense intended, but I would appreciate it if you would keep your personal life to yourself. It makes me feel uncomfortable when you talk about that stuff.

Please note what words I did not use.

I can't guarantee, of course, that the person won't take offense anyhow.

 

[emsr2d2]

I'm trying to come up with a good response to a coworker talking about their personal drama with me.

I'm thinking "I'm not your therapist, you know", or "You talking about your personal drama isn't going to make me like you more" or "Maybe we save your personal drama for your friends". I know these are direct and blunt but I appreciate any feedback.

Note my corrections above. When you enclose a complete sentence in quotes, it must start with a capital letter.
You could say any of those as long as you don't want to have a good relationship with your co-worker in future.

 

[Skrej]

I'm trying to come up with a good response to a coworker talking about their personal drama with me.

"I'm not your therapist, you know"

Honestly, this one is golden! Along these lines:

Sorry, therapy sessions are by appointment only, and I'm currently booked solid.
Is your regular therapist not available?
Therapy sessions require payment in advance, please.
I'm not really licensed to provide the services you're seeking.
Here's a quarter, call your therapist.

This actually sounds like more of a you problem than a me problem.
This concerns me how, exactly?
Sorry, I didn't realize I was starring in a soap opera. What's my line again?
As fascinating as this sounds, I need to step away briefly and not care.

These are all of course quite blunt and rude, and will likely make you enemies.

 

[Tarheel]

My advice was geared to avoid making a new enemy. You can always use the word "therapist" or the word "drama" if you want to. That's your choice.

 

[emsr2d2]

It sounds like the perfect opportunity for a phrase discussed in another thread recently.

Shhhhh. What's that I can hear? Oh yeah, it's the sound of the world's tiniest violin!

Admittedly, that doesn't make it clear that you don't want them to keep telling you about the drama in their personal life, but it makes it abundantly clear that you don't care! However, the result will probably the one you're after because I doubt they'll want to keep telling you personal stuff anymore.