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My only technique for countering difficult lab partners is focusing on the work at hand...its quite true, many individuals are their own favorite discussion topic! Without being overly rude, I would say, don't even feign interest...which may encourage her.
I would dive right into the lab at hand and if he/she isn't following your cue, I would see if you would also see if you could potentially pair up with another lab pair and get a smaller group going (if your instructor allows). Thus, the overwhelming "me" personality that she is demonstrating has the possibility of being diffused over a larger group.
All of these are great suggestions and things that I have already decided to do.......so I know we are on the same page.
I too believe that people who have money don't talk about it so there is something amiss there somewhere.
I will ignore her and trust me.......feigning no interest isn't a problem! We work in groups of 4 sometimes and one of the other partners encourages this behavior by being equally snobbish......only his is about his intellect. This is my 3rd class with him, and like a bad penny, he keeps showing up. He always likes to talk about how he got the top grade of this class or that.......so they get along great.
We have a nice, quiet, pre-pharmacy student I like in our group and would really like to switch to have him..........but we'll see if I can find a way to do that without ticking off our other 2 partners.
Thanks for the ideas.........people are amazing sometimes.
Rachel
First of all, things probably aren't really as rosey as she says.
Second of all, I would try to politely give her the clue that she is irritating you with all her talk. Maybe say something about needing to concentrate on the lab or something, or just ignore her when she talks about money. That would irritate me too, but it is a good lesson to learn to deal with annoying people politely!
Oh boy, that bites!!! I agree with the second poster though...on the job training in progress!! Hopefully eventually when all you are doing is saying "uh huh, yep, right" and turning the other way, she'll get the point, but unfortunately there are some people that never get the point.
Love your husbands response!!!
Good luck though...here's hoping for a FAST 3 months!
LOL good one, peach!
You really never know about people. I was a hairstylist for many years, and I had many many clients tell me how FABULOUS their lives were, and invariably, their lives never ended up being as great as they would have one think. Miserable marriages, or no-good children, or alcohol problems, something. Although, if they began to annoy me too much, I could just stick 'em under a hood dryer and go have a smoke! LOL
I really dislike my lab partner, too. He has ADHD in the worst way, and cannot stay on task to save his life. He rushes through everything and makes lots of silly mistakes. I might start bringing him some coffee, maybe it will calm him down.
We'll be okay and look back on these as learning experiences for sure.
livinglighthouse, ADN, RN
59 Posts
My lab partner is a snob and a half. I am stuck with her for the rest of the semester.........no more switching, and I wish I had known then what I know now. She spends 3 hours 3 nights a week telling me about how much money her makes and all their expensive hobbies and how wonderful her children are, yadda, yadda, yadda.........I could just puke.
I have a nice life and really don't want for a lot......but I don't go around offering that information to people. Because I realize something she doesn't.........NOBODY CARES!!!!! We aren't friends, we don't socialize together, so why do you think I want to know how much money your husband makes?
Venting here.......so sorry, but I keep my mouth shut during lab and then come home and unload on my husband. His answer is always "so what did she do when you finally hit her?"..........LOL!!!!!
Anyway........thanks for listening.
Rachel