AITA for Asking Coworker to Silence Phone Typing Sound?
AITA for addressing coworker's loud iPhone typing sounds, prompting a tense confrontation? Colleagues weigh in on office etiquette and communication skills.
Nothing makes an office feel smaller than one specific sound that will not stop. In this case, it was the distinct iOS typing and click whoosh noises coming from the desk next to OP, close enough to hear every single tap like it was happening in their own lap.
OP says the coworker had phone typing sounds turned on, not blaring, but loud enough to cut through the radio and ruin focus for weeks. Every message came with that constant iOS clicking, the little send whoosh, and the screen lock click at the end, which is basically the exact opposite of “quiet office” energy. When OP finally asked, “Is it really necessary to have those sounds on?” the coworker took it personally, even yelling back about how OP’s pen clicking is annoying too.
Sure, the coworker turned the sounds off eventually, but now OP is stuck wondering if the request was actually rude, not just reasonable.
Original Post
So, dude that sits in the office next to me (like 0,5m away) had the typing sounds on his iPhone turned on. Not VERY loud, but relatively loud, enough for it to cut through the radio and drive me insane for weeks.
Every message he typed, it was just this constant distinct iOS clicking sound, plus the little whoosh sending sound and the screen lock click at the end. Today asked him, "Hey, is it really necessary to have those sounds on?" Not aggressively or something but I guess you could hear that I was annoyed in my voice and it could come off as offensive in some way.
He got mad and said (actually pretty much yelled) that thw way I click my pen after writing something down is annoying too. I told him it's not the same, because he's CONSTANTLY texting with someone and it's really distracting to hear that noise over and over.
Especially in a place where people are trying to focus and work. He turned the sounds off eventually.
Still, now I'm sitting here wondering if was I being an a*****e for pointing it out. I just assumed it's basic office etiquette to have your phone on silent or at least not audibly typing like you're in your own living room.
AITA?
Comment from u/QuelinQT
Comment from u/IAmTAAlways
Comment from u/GodzillaSuit
Comment from u/zealot_ratio
Comment from u/My_Feet_Are_Flat
Comment from u/sweettomato5
Comment from u/Fean0r_
Comment from u/BeneficialShame8408
Comment from u/Equivalent_Quote_455
This office annoyance is a lot like the AITA post about an OP keeping inheritance from mom, and the fallout got ugly.
Comment from u/ambercrayon
Comment from u/CanAhJustSay
Comment from u/No_Establishment8642
Comment from u/Ill_Industry6452
Comment from u/quietlywatching6
Comment from u/Librarianatrix
Comment from u/Specialist-Two1026
Comment from u/actualchristmastree
Comment from u/espresom
Comment from u/Ouisch
OP’s patience goes from “annoyed” to “weeks of this” real fast, once the coworker’s iPhone clicks start cutting through everything, even the radio.
The moment OP asks if the sounds are necessary, the vibe flips, because the coworker hears a complaint about his character instead of office etiquette.
When the coworker yells back about OP’s pen clicking, the argument stops being about phone sounds and turns into a petty sound-off contest.
Even though the coworker eventually turns the typing sounds off, OP is still replaying the moment they asked, wondering if they crossed a line.
What are your thoughts on this situation? Share your perspective in the comments below.
Now OP is questioning whether they fixed the noise problem or accidentally became the problem.
Still debating family money fallout? See what this OP did after their aunts claimed their dad updated his will.
