Desk talking - etiquette.

JReacher1

A quick question about desk etiquette at work

If you're sat at your desk and someone comes to speak to you is it polite for you to stand up and talk to them face to face?

Or is it acceptable to stay seated while they stand.

When someone is standing and I am seated, and we are talking it seems rude to stay seated.

What do people think?

emsywoo123

JReacher1 wrote: »

A quick question about desk etiquette at work

If you're sat at your desk and someone comes to speak to you is it polite for you to stand up and talk to them face to face?

Or is it acceptable to stay seated while they stand.

When someone is standing and I am seated, and we are talking it seems rude to stay seated.

What do people think?

I stay seated I think in the hope that they will not stop and ask me a gazillion questions......:D

To be honest it depends who, why, how long we need to talk......

General_Grant

I don't see people jumping up when someone arrives at their desk.

If it's a short visit then it seems fine to remain seated. If it's at all likely to be a longer visit, a visitor's chair is found for them.

JReacher1

My problem is im quite a tall guy and when a lady comes over to talk to me if I stay seated I'm basically eye level with her chest.

It seems disrespectful so I have started standing up so we are talking on an equal footing.

I'm undecided if it's better for me to stay seated or to stand up.

getmore4less

JReacher1 wrote: »

My problem is im quite a tall guy and when a lady comes over to talk to me if I stay seated I'm basically eye level with her chest.

It seems disrespectful so I have started standing up so we are talking on an equal footing.

I'm undecided if it's better for me to stay seated or to stand up.

Don't you end up just talking down to them

JReacher1

getmore4less wrote: »

Don't you end up just talking down to them

Yes but that seems politer!

timbo58

Easy:
If they are your superior wave them to a spare chair and turn yourself to speak to them.
If they are not it depends on the importance of the conversation to be honest.

If its mega important treat them as a superior, if not discuss what they want whether they sit or stand if you have time, if you don't ask them to reschedule the meeting to suit you.

noelphobic

timbo58 wrote: »

Easy:
If they are your superior wave them to a spare chair and turn yourself to speak to them.
If they are not it depends on the importance of the conversation to be honest.

If its mega important treat them as a superior, if not discuss what they want whether they sit or stand if you have time, if you don't ask them to reschedule the meeting to suit you.

I don't consider anyone in the world to be my 'superior'. If someone is my manager then they're not any more worthy of my respect than someone who is a 'lower grade' (although I don't even like the sound of that.)

mgdavid

noelphobic wrote: »

I don't consider anyone in the world to be my 'superior'. If someone is my manager then they're not any more worthy of my respect than someone who is a 'lower grade' (although I don't even like the sound of that.)

Luckily you're not the OP so it doesn't apply.

JReacher1

noelphobic wrote: »

I don't consider anyone in the world to be my 'superior'. If someone is my manager then they're not any more worthy of my respect than someone who is a 'lower grade' (although I don't even like the sound of that.)

Although I like the sentiments you express unfortunately in a real world office the people more senior than you are superior to you.

Maybe not personally but professionally and as such it's good to treat them with the respect their position deserves.

cazziebo

noelphobic wrote: »

I don't consider anyone in the world to be my 'superior'. If someone is my manager then they're not any more worthy of my respect than someone who is a 'lower grade' (although I don't even like the sound of that.)

In the companies I work in, the principle is that everyone deserves the same respect. Management is a just another job, not a status.