Message #73742

[rose.winter1980]

Bathroom, "ladies room", lavatory ... whatever ... if I were being asked about work, then I would respond very much as already indicated above - that I would reply to them by such-and-such a time. 

If I'm being distracted in the photocopier room or someone comes into my office and just wants to chat, I will be truthful but very polite and very kind, and say something along the lines of "I would love to speak more with you about [ABC] but right now I'm very busy doing [XYZ]".  It always works a treat and said nicely no-one takes offence. 

Sometimes, depending on the nature of the distraction, I will ask the colleague in question to have coffee with me or go for a walk at lunchtime. 

Most people don't set out to distract others, but there are those colleagues who seem to "need" extra contact with others at work. 

I think the most important thing is to behave towards other people as we would like them to behave towards us: courteously, professionally and with a kind manner.