My Co-Worker speaks very softly and always has to be asked "what" or Who"

huh, come again?

Wait a second...Who?

Last Edited by Stanfiem on 11/17/2012 03:58 AM

Run a 3-meter steel stake through his torso and out his guts and slather honey all over the writhing body. Cut off the eyelids and angle the head up so that its staring directly at the high-noon sun. Jam the spike into a massive anthill.

He'll speak up then.

A low-talker, eh?

Tell him to speak the fuck up, or you will stop trying to listen to him.

Hope you're not in management.

Ha ha, you probably work with my partner!! Drives me f-ing crazy too, seems like nothing can be done about it. I think, if you listen very carefully, e actually mispronounces words (weaver for weather, bruvver for brother) - I was finking dat maybe people who speak quietly are actually covering up their poor upbringing/mispronunciations.

Partner denies anythings wrong, and that something is wrong with everyone else's hearing. But e's a good egg and very hard worker, so it can be overlooked if you're patient. Self-confidence helps anyone speak up.

A lowtalker.

Purchase an antique ear trumpet, opie.

I know one of these low talkers.
It can be extremely annoying.
Makes me feel like I"m going DEAF.
But then I see everyone else saying "What" Huh?, Etc.
I've said "Please speak up, or can you speak louder, or I can't hear you dozens of times ( as well as everyone else says it) and he never seems to remember this from one minute to the next.
Is this crazy.

Some low talkers do so because they can't hear, and they don't want to speak too loudly.

Some low talkers do it purposefully so that you'll have to lean in to hear what they are saying. It's a predatory ploy.

Obviously not American, then.

SOME DO IT BECAUSE THEY'RE TOO SCARED OF SPEAKING.

I would rather talk to someone who doesn't speak up than someone who talks as loud as they can.
Especially if they are standing close to you and are talking so loud it hurts your ears.
That is annoying.

he obviously has anxiety problems stemming from boyhood, when his aggressive dad used to shout a lot. This causes the diaphragm within the solar plexus to tense up and prevents him from getting enough oxygen to have strong speech. I used to be like him, in fact, in my case, I developed a terrible stutter, but I soon learned it was caused by the compressed diaphragm, so I began breathing exercises to expand it, and gradually my speech impediment completely disappeared and I began to develop a strong masculine voice.

P.S. the fact that he always has to ask 'what' or 'who' means that his attention is elsewhere, and it's likely due to worrying about so many things. This worry is exacerbating his anxiety issues.

He likely needs to see a therapist to help him learn how to relax more.

That's also true. Why are you yelling at me, Zevo?

So you can hear me.

Speak softly .. and carry a big stick

Ahh, a shy one ...

OMG you guys don't have to scream....its getting really annoying!

I have been told by certain people throughout my life that I talk too soft, or mumble...perhaps I do...I am not certain how to change my voice pattern now though...
some seem to hear me without a problem, perhaps they are the ones meant to understand

I am guilty as charged, there is a guy at work that constantly tells me to speak louder, it isn't that I am trying not to speak loudly, it is because there is background noise and I THINK I am talking loudly but I am not.

Could you say that a little bit clearer? I had trouble following

[link to www.youtube.com]



[link to www.youtube.com]

Last Edited by Baconhead on 11/17/2012 06:55 AM

I sympathize - that probably does get annoying but be happy: At least you don't have a loud, obnoxious, know-it-all co-worker. Of the two, I'd take a quiet one any day.

Last Edited by amywood71605 on 11/17/2012 06:56 AM

how IGNORANT! Some low talkers do it because they KNOW many people ACT like they have ADD and DO NOT REALLY LISTEN IN THE FIRST PLACE so a low talker will get your ATTENTION, because many don't really pay attention to whats being said! EVER THINK OF IT THAT WAY???????

ARE U LOUD AND HIGH STRUNG???