There’s no doubt that information is power in our society.  What you may not realize, however, is that too much information can be your downfall.

This likely doesn’t come as a shock to you.  You’ve probably worked with someone who was a habitual line crosser in this regard.  This person, either clueless or indifferent, rampaged on providing information you didn’t need to know while you wished you could cover your ears or run away without looking strange.

Unfortunately, there’s almost certainly someone like that in every office in the world, but there are ways to deal with this.  If you work with someone (henceforth to be known as the TMI coworker) who continually shares information that makes you uncomfortable, you could always respectfully ask them to stop.  You could also quit your job, work from home, or preoccupy yourself by trying to do long division in your head while they’re talking.

Ultimately, however, dealing with TMI coworkers is a pretty routine aspect of working in an office.  The most you can do is try your hardest to assure that you don’t become one yourself.  Here are some topics to stay away from as much as possible at work:

• Your body.  I once worked with a girl who told me that her boyfriend complains about how gassy she is.  This was on the first day I met her.  And we had to share an office.  Let’s just say I wasn’t thrilled to be working with her after that.  Even if you don’t have gas, talking about your body or any of its functions while at work is a pretty bad idea.  Your coworkers are not your doctor and as such do not need to know these things.
• Your finances.  Money is a touchy topic in American society and is a veritable minefield at work.  Some companies even have a clause in their employment contracts that state that disclosure of salary is grounds for immediate termination.  Given the potential hazards with this topic, it’s in your best interest to steer clear of it regardless of whether you’re doing well or poorly with your money.  Your coworkers don’t really need to know how your checking account is looking lately.
• Your love life.  This is a hard one on several different levels.  For one thing, coworkers can forge some pretty strong friendships and it’s natural to want to share the details of your love life with friends.  For another thing, it’s fun to talk about your personal life and it can make for some pretty funny stories.  Remember, however, that your coworkers are your colleagues first and your friends second.  Don’t tell anything to your coworker that you wouldn’t want your boss to hear.

The best thing to keep in mind when considering how much is too much to share is that, when you’re at the office, your number one goal is to be professional.  If sharing an anecdote about your children will help break the ice then by all means share.  If the anecdote you have in mind will make the majority of the people in your office uncomfortable, it’s probably best to keep it to yourself.

Have you been the victim of TMI coworkers?  Share your horror stories!