Be a Considerate Desk Mate

Is your desk connected to another person's at work? You sit so close together that you can hear this co-worker's every breath. If so, be mindful of how you treat him. How you relate can make or break yours and his work experience. So try to be a considerate desk mate and follow a few rules of office etiquette.

1- Be neat.
You may not mind having papers spread all over your desk (or food), but your desk mate might. Be mindful of their space and keep yours clean. Don't allow your mess to spill over into the other party's work area and spoil their ability to work.

2- Keep quiet.
No, you don't have to stay quiet all day just because you share a space. However, you should avoid making the kinds of noises that irritate others. Be a considerate desk mate and don't tap on your desk all day long or talk loudly on your phone about personal matters, these types of behaviors act as distractions in the work place.

3- Act respectful.
A big part of being a good co-worker is respect. So, keep this as a big priority in your relationship with your desk mate. Don't overstep bounds like reading his e-mail just because you can see his computer easily or going through his snack drawer without permission. After a while, these types of behaviors will annoy anyone.

4- Don't snitch.
Snitch is a term used to describe a person who tells on another person that's made a mistake with the law. This word can also be used to describe what some people do to their desk mates. They keep account of all of their wrongdoings and run tell the boss. Be a considerate desk mate, allow your co-worker the freedom to be human without you turning him in.

5- Avoid delegating.
If your desk mate happens to be smart and efficient, don't use this fact as a reason to delegate work to him. Whether you do this type of thing through manipulation or the boss, you will soon be overstepping your bounds. Focus on getting your own work skills up-to-speed so you both look like shining stars.

6- Stay positive.
Regardless of how you feel about your job, stay positive. Be a considerate desk mate and keep your conversation up. Only talk about personal matters that could be construed as negative if you develop a close, intimate relationship with your co-worker - one that would allow them to say 'enough' if your conversation gets too brash.

Follow the above and keep the peace with your desk mate. You never know, because you're so considerate, you may develop a long friendship that will last past your current job.