Many of us spend a good percentage of our lives in the workplace. Wouldn't it be great if all that time spent at the office could be pleasant and comfortable -- or at least non-toxic. Sadly though, in lots of cases, this is apparently too much to ask. So, I’ve reviewed the relevant literature, asked around, and done a little reflecting myself, and I’ve come up with a collection of pet peeves, gripes, and annoyances that threaten the delicate balance of workplace culture.  If you don't want to tick-off your co-workers, here are some rules of thumb:

Could you at least…?!

• Say hi! A friendly “Hello” goes a long way
• Say “please,” “thanks,” “excuse me,” etc. Just because you’re a big kid now doesn’t mean you can forget what your mother taught you

Mind your manners!

• If you’re going to move a co-worker’s print job from the copier before he’s able to get it, put it back when you’re done
• It’s not nice to leave a quarter cup of coffee in the pot
• When you borrow a pen from the girl who sits near the fax machine, give it back.
• Seriously consider whether your Hooter’s T-shirt is appropriate office attire. Same with that sparkly tube top
• Participating in office gossip is just poor form
• If that yogurt in the fridge isn’t yours, you should not eat it 

Is that really necessary?!

• So, your son got detention today, don’t yell at him over the phone in your cubical
• Coffee slurping for many is like raking finger nails across a chalkboard
• If the handset works, maybe you don’t need to use speakerphone for every call
• It can be disconcerting for others to listen to you sing, hum, or talk to yourself

 Eeeeeww!

• It’s important to bathe properly and wear deodorant, but use that Drakkar Noir or Chanel No. 5 in moderation
• We know you really want that left-over fish for lunch, but not everyone likes the aroma, which, by the way, has a tendency to linger
• There are no circumstances under which you need to clip your finger nails at the office
• Keep those bodily sounds to a minimum (and we’ll leave it at that!)
• Sweep up the crumbs from that coffee cake before you leave the break room

These should get you started. Check back tomorrow for Things That Make You Go "Grrrrrr" - Part II.