# Should I be worried that my new co-worker will go postal on us? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 11, 2014, 12:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-be-worried-that-my-new-co-worker-will-go-postal-on-us/701033 "2014-10-11T12:57:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2014, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-be-worried-that-my-new-co-worker-will-go-postal-on-us/701033/21 "2014-10-11T19:03:30Z")
> [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](#): > > Get somebody to flat- out ask her, “who you talkin’ to?” “You talkin’ to me? Are you talkin’ to me? Well, I’m the only one here…” ---
**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2014, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-be-worried-that-my-new-co-worker-will-go-postal-on-us/701033/22 "2014-10-11T19:21:43Z")
> [@davidm](#): > > I don’t think females “go postal” very often. I’m sure there must be some few instances but I can’t think of any. Poison would be the tradition. Don’t eat or drink anything that she’s prepared and you’re probably fine. ---
**Author:** ![ExTank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/35a633/32.png) [@ExTank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ExTank)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2014, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-be-worried-that-my-new-co-worker-will-go-postal-on-us/701033/23 "2014-10-11T19:45:00Z")
There’s afew Maxims that come to mind, that have stood me in good stead over the years, and may be applicable to the OP’s situation: Don’t be afraid to be the first to resort to violence. A little trust goes a long way. The less you use, the further you will go. That which does not kill you has made a tactical error. There is no “overkill.” There is only “open fire” and “I need to reload.” ---
**Author:** ![Count\_Blucher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Count\_Blucher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Count_Blucher)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2014, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-be-worried-that-my-new-co-worker-will-go-postal-on-us/701033/24 "2014-10-11T20:04:47Z")
> [@ExTank](#): > > Don’t be afraid to be the first to resort to violence. > A little trust goes a long way. The less you use, the further you will go. > That which does not kill you has made a tactical error. > There is no “overkill.” There is only “open fire” and “I need to reload.” Thank Og people like YOU are in the workplace. If there’s one thing we need where we work, its more people who act like shoot-first idiots. _Brought to you by Remington: its the only Healthcare pukes like you get. Don’t like it? Too Bad!_ ---
**Author:** ![AClockworkMelon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aclockworkmelon/32/10803_2.png) [@AClockworkMelon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AClockworkMelon)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2014, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-be-worried-that-my-new-co-worker-will-go-postal-on-us/701033/25 "2014-10-11T20:07:24Z")
> [@ExTank](#): > > There’s afew Maxims that come to mind, that have stood me in good stead over the years, and may be applicable to the OP’s situation: > > Don’t be afraid to be the first to resort to violence. > A little trust goes a long way. The less you use, the further you will go. > That which does not kill you has made a tactical error. > There is no “overkill.” There is only “open fire” and “I need to reload.” lol ---
**Author:** ![ExTank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/35a633/32.png) [@ExTank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ExTank)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2014, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-be-worried-that-my-new-co-worker-will-go-postal-on-us/701033/26 "2014-10-11T21:48:27Z")
> [@Count\_Blucher](#): > > Thank Og people like YOU are in the workplace. If there’s one thing we need where we work, its more people who act like shoot-first idiots. > > _Brought to you by Remington: its the only Healthcare pukes like you get. Don’t like it? Too Bad!_ whoosh ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2014, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-be-worried-that-my-new-co-worker-will-go-postal-on-us/701033/27 "2014-10-12T01:23:08Z")
Well the most important thing is “Can you take her?”. Well can you? Your name says “Biggirl” so is this a physical fact or some ironic thing where you’re actually 4’11’ and weigh 90 lbs? Assuming you are in fact a “Big Girl” you’ve got the heft to move her around, but you need to work on your quickness and grip strength in the event of a grapple for a weapon. When people go nuts they can get a sort of “crazy” strength so you’re also going to need a taser in your desk you can get to easily when the shit goes down and the paper towels go flying. ---
**Author:** ![Fretful\_Porpentine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fretful_porpentine/32/2873_2.png) [@Fretful\_Porpentine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fretful_Porpentine)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2014, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-be-worried-that-my-new-co-worker-will-go-postal-on-us/701033/28 "2014-10-12T03:21:21Z")
> [@davidm](#): > > I don’t think females “go postal” very often. I’m sure there must be some few instances but I can’t think of any. [Oh, it’s been known to happen.](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010_University_of_Alabama_in_Huntsville_shooting) ---
**Author:** ![Chief\_Pedant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a6a055/32.png) [@Chief\_Pedant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chief_Pedant)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2014, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-be-worried-that-my-new-co-worker-will-go-postal-on-us/701033/29 "2014-10-12T14:14:30Z")
Definitely nuts. Probably not dangerous. ---
**Author:** ![Zebra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/c0e974/32.png) [@Zebra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zebra)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2014, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-be-worried-that-my-new-co-worker-will-go-postal-on-us/701033/30 "2014-10-13T18:22:59Z")
You’re just going to have to take off and nuke her from orbit. It’s the only way to be sure. ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2014, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-be-worried-that-my-new-co-worker-will-go-postal-on-us/701033/31 "2014-10-13T19:26:34Z")
> [@monstro](#): > > … But no one owes it to anyone else to broadcast their mental health issues in public. …She may be afraid of what will happen if she comes out as the “crazy lady”,… I think that ship has already sailed. Having two-way conversations with yourself in public and excessive OCD behavior have already got her marked as the “crazy lady.” Biggirl and her coworkers are already talking about it. Heck, there’s even a thread about her on a public message board! ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2014, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-be-worried-that-my-new-co-worker-will-go-postal-on-us/701033/32 "2014-10-13T19:32:30Z")
> [@davidm](#): > > I don’t think females “go postal” very often. I’m sure there must be some few instances but I can’t think of any. Sounds like a sounds like a…_let me be, I’m trying to post on a message board right now!_ Sounds like a challenge! ---
**Author:** ![Raza](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/raza/32/213_2.png) [@Raza](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Raza)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2014, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-be-worried-that-my-new-co-worker-will-go-postal-on-us/701033/33 "2014-10-13T20:03:00Z")
I have a cow-orker that does clerical work. She is 50ish and has been employed here for years. Her desk is at an area I pass frequently, and frequently (~40% of the time) she’ll be talking. And she’s alone. Once, early on, I said something like “pardon?” because it wasn’t clear if she was talking to me (my hearing isn’t the best), and she said something along the lines of “oh, just talkin’ to myself”. I think I’ve worked it out: she is a really good worker, and friendly, and doesn’t smell, and presents an office-appropriate appearance, but she is probably sub-average intelligence. I think the talking out loud (actually rather quiet, but louder than a whisper) helps her focus on the (computer) task at hand, like sounding out what she needs to do next. It can be disconcerting to someone not expecting it, but harmless. Perhaps her vocalization is something along those lines. And if a doper knows the name of the practice of which I speak, that would help me fight my ignorance. ---
**Author:** ![Merneith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/57b2e6/32.png) [@Merneith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merneith)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2014, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-be-worried-that-my-new-co-worker-will-go-postal-on-us/701033/34 "2014-10-13T20:09:41Z")
Do you have a deaf-ish coworker? Maybe they can share an office. ---
**Author:** ![GrumpyBunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bc8723/32.png) [@GrumpyBunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrumpyBunny)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2014, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-be-worried-that-my-new-co-worker-will-go-postal-on-us/701033/35 "2014-10-13T20:20:10Z")
> [@monstro](#): > > Sorry, it’s no one’s business what her “deal” is. And asking is a potential legal minefield in the US. > [@](#): > > Now the mess in the restroom is not acceptable. Which can be easily handled by telling everyone that any papers thrown on the floor of the rest room must be cleaned up by thrower. And if that doesn’t work, the person in charge should say something directly to the employee. ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2014, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-be-worried-that-my-new-co-worker-will-go-postal-on-us/701033/36 "2014-10-13T20:20:33Z")
> [@Biggirl](#): > > In the bathroom she also has conversations with herself. Unlike the mumbling in the lunchroom, in the bathroom she whispers than mumbles, whispers then mumbles in a talk and respond pattern. It never seems to be a nice conversation as you can hear her curse in the mumbled parts occasionally. Plus, it has the cadence of an argument. Probably nothing. But if you wear a gold ring, it might be wise to leave it at home, just as a precaution. ---
**Author:** ![Icarus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/icarus/32/72_2.png) [@Icarus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Icarus)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2014, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-be-worried-that-my-new-co-worker-will-go-postal-on-us/701033/37 "2014-10-13T21:26:45Z")
I used to work at a place that had a program to hire people with disabilities, either from injury or birth defects, etc. (no, I wasn’t in that category). There was one fellow with very pronounced Tourettes, very vocal cursing and sudden arm thrusts. It was also notable that he was about 7 feet tall. Perhaps as a defense mechanism he was the most mild mannered sweet person x100. Having spent enough time with him, you kinda could get to a point where you didn’t really notice it - sorta like a severe stutter, you get used to it. So, amateur diagnosis based on the OP is Tourettes, along with a bucket of other possibilities (OCD?). Now, as for going postal - why do you say that? People with any of a broad spectrum of what we call ‘mental’ issues are no more violent than the general population. I mean this with love, kindly un-bunch your panties, **Biggirl**. Now as for the messy bathroom - yeah, Management needs to work with the poor soul on that one. I’m hope they are already expecting to do a little extra work to make the hire a successful one. ---
**Author:** ![ExTank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/35a633/32.png) [@ExTank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ExTank)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2014, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-be-worried-that-my-new-co-worker-will-go-postal-on-us/701033/38 "2014-10-14T01:48:37Z")
> [@Zebra](#): > > You’re just going to have to take off and nuke her from orbit. > It’s the only way to be sure. Thank Og people like YOU are in the workplace. If there’s one thing we need where we work, its more people who act like nuke-'em-first idiots. _Brought to you by Oak Ridge, Tennessee: its the only Plutonium pukes like you get. Don’t like it? Too Bad!_ [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-be-worried-that-my-new-co-worker-will-go-postal-on-us/701033.md?page=1)