Social Ineptitude

Nancy asks:

I work with someone who seems to take great pleasure in correcting everyone during a conversation. It's so annoying and it really puts an end to the conversation. We can't even joke around because she interjects with her "fact of the matter", and then.....crickets.

For example, at lunch some coworkers and I were recently talking about some silly statistic that we made up about men and chores, and here she comes to tell us about how serious we need to take equality in the home and whatever, as if we're all idiots for having a light hearted conversation. Sometimes you don't need to correct other people in a social situation because it just makes things awkward, and also no one likes the know-it-all. What to do??

We like to call these people sexual intellectuals (because they're f*cking know-it-alls). And you're right, Nancy, people who lack a sense of humor ruin the fun for everyone.

If you're close with this person, you could pull her aside and explain how this habit of hers is affecting her ability to make friends with her co-workers. Just say, "Listen, Jane. It really kills the conversation when people are joking around and you jump in to correct them. It makes our coworkers uncomfortable." This may help her to interact with the group in a more socially acceptable way.

If you're not close or you would rather her exit your conversations all together, just ignore her and move on. Don't let her comments end your discussions. A quick "Jane, it was just a joke," will get the point across and allow you to turn back to the conversation at hand.