Haha … I like it. Plus I’d have a ton of M&Ms left over for me!!! 
Update: today I found out that she has requested all of our manager’s emails that mention the name “Rhonda” - and that these emails are being provided to her under the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act. I don’t know what she expects to gain by this, but I am thankful that any emails I sent to my manager about Rhonda were, while not complimentary, professional and truthful. But still … YIKES!!!
My first reaction is that she’s the one who is going to file a hostile workplace suit.
Most companies I know of would basically say “go fuck yourself, get a court order”
Sounds like they attempted to counsel her and only succeeded in getting her back up. ::Sigh::
Some idealistic twit in HR probably acquiesced thinking that she’d see herself in writing, get embarrassed and change her ways. :: Double Sigh::
If they have not already been provided. it may be useful for you to request that your communications with your manager be kept confidential. If you don’t request it, they have no basis upon which to refuse. If you do, they at least have an argument to make. Might not work, but unless there’s some political downside specific to your workplace, I’d say it can’t hurt to ask.
My personal response would be to approach the rude co-worker in an assertive manner. This would include a polite, firm, but gentle approach to see if she is struggling with something that noone else may be aware of. Many times there are a variety of different perspectives of the same situation. Depending on where you are positioned it can look completely different than from another’s position. She may be feeling completely left out of the group and has built up her defensive "wall. " Many times people who reject others or are rude, defensive and seem unapproachable are dealing with internal conflict that has nothing to do with those around them. They just aren’t sure how to handle it. If she shuts you out and doesn’t cooperate in the conversation, then I would take it further. Boss’s and supervisors always appreciate when their employees try to take care of conflict resolution without taking it to them to deal with first.
Or if well over a year has passed, I’d just let sleeping zombies lie.
Ask Rhonda for her advice before she interrupts. “How would you handle this? What’s your opinion of that? You’ve been here eight years, in your experience, what’s the best way to…” Etc., etc. It’s just remotely possible that she’d be flattered, and mellow out a little. Worst case scenario, you’re no worse off than before. HR can’t complain, because you’re asking her for advice. (Of course, you don’t have to take Rhonda’s advice.)
Or, and this is a last ditch suggestion: burst into tears.
If the OP is still about, I would be curious how things panned out with Rhonda?
(I hope she flipped out and attacked her with a wet sponge!)
Frankly…
The next time one of these situations happens, turn to her and say loudly and firmly, “Rhonda, shut the fuck up. I wasn’t talking to you.” Or words to that effect.
Sometimes direct confrontation like that is all that it takes. If you can get away with the profanity, do it - it will add impact to your statement.
IF it’s a short term situation I just ignore them the best I can.
Long term BS, I have always snapped.
In each case I told the person off, I didn’t cuss, I didn’t threaten, I just told them exactly what I thought of them. I also made it very very clear to them that whatever their problem was with me, it was their problem, not mine and I didn’t care what the problem was and it wasn’t my responsibility to deal with their problems.
They always stopped talking to me, one to the point that if I stepped on the elevator behind him he’d get off and wait for the next one. I think I was supposed to be offended.
I think the better way to handle it would be like a friend of mine would. She’d look the person right in the eye and say, ‘You seem to have a problem with me. Is there anything I have done to offend you? If so then you need to let me know so I can apologize and make amends. We have to work together and we need to resolve this.’
Always worked for her.
It’s nice, it’s professional, and it calls the bully out on their bullying behavior.
It’s easier to nip the behavior in the bud, but a lot of times you don’t realize it’s going to become an issue until it already has become one.
I’m of two minds of this and dealt with two similar arseholes in different fashions.
Arsehole #1) I basically ignored her–no greetings, farewells, go F yourself, etc. and went about my job.
Arsehole #2) Took her aside during break time and told her how much I respected her as a co-worker (which was BS), and how I was really disappointed how she was treating me.
Both approaches worked, but so much depends on the other person.
Read the original post date people - read the original post date.
Seriously, some of you have been here a while now, and should know better.
I can read. I can also read that she’s still a active poster, so maybe she’ll come back and let us know what happened or if there is still a problem.
Ditto.
I’d love to know if she found a way to resolve the problem (but suspect she ended up moving job, to get away from Rhonda).