Is this harrassment?

[Food Lady]

My coworkers think so. There's a woman who works for the mall my store is in, for years. We've conversed in the past; she knows the cafe isn't my favorite workcenter. Lately she's been throwing passive-aggressive jibes at me, like walking by and saying all singsong and over-the-top happy-like, "Smile!" I was in a conversation in mid-sentence at the time and she was almost runnong by. Today I saw her walk by, but she didn't look like she was going to stop, so I ducked into the back room to grab some towels. In that singsong voice I heard, all the way across the kitchen, "I see you running away!..." Seriously?? Then she asked how I was & I said ok, to which she mockingly asked "Are you HAppy?" I just told her I had a lot going on (food prep). She does this kind of stuff every time she sees me. My coworker knows who she is and though doesn't get treated this way, avoids long conversation. I don't know what to do, but I resent being bullied for not feeling the way someone wants me to.

[Pixilated]

If she's not actually a customer (i.e. buying something) why do you have to acknowledge or respond to her at all? If everybody ignores her it'll start to look like she's talking to herself, which should get her some odd looks from other mall patrons ... maybe that'll shut her up.

[PepperElf]

personally i'm wondering how she'd feel if other non-customers in the mall treated her the same way

[Food Lady]

She did actually come to order something, hence the akward conversation, as I was offended at her accusation. I wish I could ignore her, but she seeks me out to deride me, it seems. I'm going to practice the proverb ...a wise man overlooks an insult.

[Jay 2K Winger]

There are times here at the IT service desk when I'll get one of those types, insistent on asking how you are and not moving on until you answer.

Since they're usually wasting time asking these questions-- and they always call when there's a bunch of calls in the queue-- the conversation goes like this:

J2K: "Good [time of day], you've reached the IT Service Desk. This is Jay. How can I help you?"
Them: "Goooood [time of day], Jay. How are you doing today?"
J2K: "Just fine thank you, how can I help you?"

No rudeness to the tone, just a flat answer and I pointedly repeat my question to get us on tack. Never fails to work.

[Food Lady]

I do that and it doesn't work. What else can I try? Should I just be over-the-top thrilled to see her? My coworker loves that idea.

[KatherineB]

Only if you can do it to the point where she is seriously freaked out.

[csquared]

Maybe you need to take it a step further. Use Redbeard's technique. Turn it to business. If she doesn't want to turn it to business, "Sorry, I don't have time." and walk away.

Choice #2 (if it doesn't get you fired)... Shock value.
A friend of The Wife's, I'll call her Jen, had recently gotten married. Jen was a crafter, and attend Ren Fests, Con, etc. She was pretty well know.

At one Fest, an acquaintance who knew that she had recently gotten married was giving tours. When he came by, it was "And here is Jen. She is recently married. Hey Jen, how is married life?" Jen was like "It great. We're happy. Etc."

When he came around the next time, it was the same thing.
And again.
And again.

After a while, Jen reached her limits. The next time he came by, she plastered a big smile on her face and replied "It's great. We have more time to F!"

Now we just need to come up with a good reply for you.

[MoonCat]

You could try a nasty grin and a muttered, "I'm doing okay....and pretty soon I'll be doing reaaaaallly greeeaaaat." Cue shifty eyes and then, "Can't talk, sorry" and walk off real fast.

[cleorose]

I would say not all of us are on prozac. But when I do get to that point I guess I will be the obnoxious fuck witted happy twat that you have become. And I might even pass as human. You should tell your dr to up the dose btw. Your shit is starting to sag. Those happy lines are becoming old croney lines.

Smile and walk away

[Irving Patrick Freleigh]

I do that and it doesn't work. What else can I try? Should I just be over-the-top thrilled to see her? My coworker loves that idea.

That could work.

"Why of course I'm haaaaaaaaaappppyyyy today! I have on my cheese bra!"

[KatherineB]

I have on my cheese bra!"

Oh, that's Gouda! Bet you're heaving a sigh of brie-lief.

[JustaCashier]

Now we just need to come up with a good reply for you.

I think you already did......

......It's great. We have more time to F!

Mike

[Pixilated]

Would it help if you talked to your boss about this? Although I think you've got a good idea about just ignoring her. Unless she's actually buying something you shouldn't have to pay her any mind at all, and if she is buying, there's some great advice here about forcing her to stay on track with her order.

[Draper Mel]

I don't know if I'd call it harassment. She probably thinks she's being clever or funny and doesn't know when to STFU.

I'd use the suggestions up above and shut her down when she comes by. If she has nothing new or interesting to say, you're too busy to talk.