Can anyone explain the bizarre behavior of my coworker?

[timm51]

I work in retail and have a quite odd co-worker. This young lady constantly seems aloof, doddles around and talks to herself. Sometimes she keeps talking away after a coworker or customer leaves, other times she starts talking to herself out of the blue. She also walks around on her tip toes and will sometimes take off her socks and shoes and walk around the store. She is a good 5 years past driving age and does not drive and relies on her parents to drive her to work and lives with her parents as well. Can anyone explain what may cause her odd behavior?

[CheekyChops]

Why is it odd that she doesn't drive and lives with her parents?

Maybe she is just a bit eccentric, plenty of people are.

[joggerjayne]

Why is it odd that she doesn't drive and lives with her parents ???????????????

Is that a rhetorical question?



It's major league odd, Cheeky.

[redcrx]

Not in early 20s it isnt jayne

[hundreddolla]

It could be drugs or drugs. But i'd more than likely say that it was drugs. Why is it weird that she doesn't drive and that she lives with her parents?

PS: It's drugs.

[leelapops]

Is she shy and a little eccentric? Might she be autistic or something similar?

[Booldawg]

She's 'Radio Rental' but probably on a low hourly wage. This is how the retail industry is able to offer 24 cans of Stella for 2p.

[cazzz1975]

sounds like she may be on the autistic spectrum, to manage to hold down a job in retail would be a big achievement for her

[Eve]

I don't drive and I'm 30 in November, my brother doesn't drive either and he's a few years younger than me.

Maybe she can't afford to have lessons or a car if she did or she may have somemedical condition which prevents her from driving or just doesn't want to drive.

Maybe she can't afford to live on her own or, again, doesn't want to. Maybe she's saving up for something and keeping her costs down by not driving or moving out.

I natter away to myself sometimes, just things going through my head or hum away.

I also sometimes walk around barefoot at work if my feet have got wet from the rain or it's really hot as it's more comfortable.

With the tiptoes, maybe she has some kind of foot problem, you could always ask her.

Why not get chatting to her more and things may come out generally and make put her behaviour more in context.

[Velvetee]

I passed my driving test about 15 years ago and I still don't drive, I rely on my partner to drive me to work.

Why don't you ask her why she behaves the way she does? Tell her you've noticed the things she does and find it unusual, so you are curious. Mind you, if she does have a screw or two loose, your questions may send her over the edge.

Maybe she has some kind of OCD, where she needs to recount rituals and walking on tip toes, maybe trying to avoid the carpet tile joins for fear of something bad happening if she dares to step on them. As they say, there's nowt as queer as folk!

[cazzz1975]

its a sensory thing, she likes the feeling of walking on her tiptioes, she sounds to me to be autistic based on your description, this would explain her aloofness and her habits of walking on tip toes and chattering to herself.

the fact that she does not drive is immaterial, lots of people dont drive, lots of people live at home with their parents, someone with autism will live at home for much of their life, unless they are lucky enough to be able to live in an assisted living project.

she is not mad or rude, she just has a different outlook on life and she shouldnt be made to feel like a nutter for displaying these behaviours which for the most part give her enjoyment and calmness

[Velvetee]

I used to go to school with a girl who walked on her tip toes, it turned out to be a medical condition, where I believe her Achillies tendons were abnormaly short, she had an op and is ok now.

But yes, the Autism idea could be correct, maybe your managers are aware of the situation and did not feel it apt to discuss it with colleagues. Perhaps they should have, then people you would hope, would be more understanding.

[BRAVO1]

I said no to drug's - BUT THEY DIDN'T LISTEN !.

In her world she's normal.

My Advice : Get on with your own life.

[mydogsandme]

walking on the toes is quite a common thing to do in autism as is the chattering and what seems like aloofness could be a communication disorder. Fantastic that she can hold down a job like this is she is indeed autistic. Try getting to know her.

[Lil O'lady]

Bottom line is, if she does her job and is passingly polite, that's what she's employed to do. Is there a company rule banning invisible friends? If none, I believe your colleague is at liberty to bring an invisible book circle to the workplace. Back off her and find someone else to victimise.

[timm51]

Jesus people, please, I was only asking a question and most replies attack me and accuse me of being a vicious enemy of this lady I asked about. Maybe I should explain more, she avoids customers, she avoids managers, she walks around the store talking to herself, sometimes barefoot. Customers, employees and managers alike are taken back by this. She owns a BMW that her parents bought her but she will not drive it and she does have a license. I do not hate this girl, I am not making fun of her, I only asked this question for my coworkers and myself. By the way, the autism bit does make some sense. Thankyou.