FUN AT WORK #316

When you return a greeting to a passing co-worker, phrase it as a question. Example:

PAT: (Walking by me) Hi, Dale.
ME: Hi. Pat?
PAT: (Stops, turns around) Yeah?
ME: (Sounding almost imperceptibly irritated) Nothing. I was just saying "hi."

If you do this enough, people will stop turning and responding when you do it. Then, you can have an even better exchange:

PAT: (Walking by me) Hi, Dale.
ME: Hi. Pat?
PAT: (Has been through this often enough, ignores me and keeps walking)
ME: (Sounding noticeably irritated) Hey, asshole … didn't you hear me? I need to talk to you about the Penske file!
PAT: (Sheepishly) Umm, oh … Okay, uh, sorry.

Of course, eventually your co-workers will stop saying "hello" to you in the hallway at all, which is REALLY the ultimate goal here.