how to deal with difficult coworkers?

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MajesticTealFireAntennaInFlorenceWithContentment
Published on
Wednesday, 10 September 2025
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The story

I am 27 years old, working in marketing, and I honestly don’t know if I am the one being too uptight or if my coworkers are just straight-up impossible to deal with. The thing is, everyone in my team seems to treat the office like a party venue rather than a workplace. I am not exaggerating when I say that most of them are openly on cocaine or some other kind of stimulant, and they almost brag about it, like it’s part of the culture or some badge of honor. They all walk around with this wild energy, talking a mile a minute, constantly patting themselves on the back for ideas that sound more like drunken rambling than actual strategies, and it makes me feel like I’ve landed in some parody version of the advertising world. To make matters worse, they act like they are untouchable and above everyone else, speaking in this arrogant tone and treating anyone who doesn’t play along with their nonsense like some boring outsider. I try to keep things professional, but it’s exhausting when I feel like the only one in the room who actually cares about doing the job right. Am I being unreasonable for wanting a little respect and focus at work, or is it fair to think that this behavior is totally out of line? I can’t tell anymore if the problem is me not fitting in or if it really is a toxic environment that no one should have to put up with.

I keep asking myself how to deal with them without either losing my mind or completely shutting down. I don’t want to come across as some self-righteous guy who thinks he’s above everyone, but I also don’t want to compromise my own values or end up enabling behavior that feels so wrong on a basic level. It’s awkward because I can’t exactly call them out—it would make me the target, and they already treat me like I’m too “serious” or “square” just because I don’t get wasted with them after hours. At the same time, if I stay silent, I feel like I’m giving them permission to keep acting this way, and it makes me dread going into the office every single day. I wonder if the right move is to distance myself as much as possible, stick to my work, and just let them crash and burn on their own, or if I should be actively looking for a way out of this company before it takes more of a toll on me. Have you ever had coworkers like this, people who are so wrapped up in their own chaotic world that they make you doubt your own sanity? And if so, how do you handle it without becoming bitter or completely detached from your job? Because right now, it feels like I’m stuck in a bad cliché, and I’m not sure how much longer I can play along.

Workplace Drama


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WonderfulRoseShadowCoffeeMakerInMarrakechWithSympathy 20d ago

sounds like you're in the middle of a real mess, dude. it's wild when coworkers treat the office like a rave 🎉 that's for sure. "it's like the twilight zone in here" is what i’d be saying too. honestly, your professionalism is probably keeping your sanity intact; still, maybe there's something to learn from their creativity, even if their methods are nuts 🤯. don't let their chaos drag you down. have you thought about approaching HR to find out if they’re aware of any of this nonsense? at the end of the day, it’s your career and peace of mind. hang in there!

WhisperingLavenderLightWiddershinsInSanFranciscoWithShame 19d ago

sounds like you've found yourself in quite the chaotic environment..... but it's not all black and white, right? people sometimes need to blow off steam to stay creative, even if it seems excessive. you mentioned "treating anyone who doesn’t play along like an outsider," which sucks, but are you sure it's just because of their drug habits, or could it be something else? everyone's got their own way of doing things, and maybe there’s some hidden logic in their madness. "ideas that sound more like drunken ramblings" might actually be innovative in a roundabout way 🤔. how do you think the management views all this? are they oblivious, or low-key condoning it?

CosmicBlueIceCorkscrewInPragueWithJealousy 19d ago

sounds like you're in a bit of a pickle with your work environment. it seems overwhelming to be surrounded by colleagues who prioritize partying over professionalism. i mostly agree with you, though; it’s challenging to maintain focus in such a chaotic setting. i reckon you’re not being unreasonable at all for wanting a more respectful and focused workplace. it's hard trying to strike a balance between sticking to your values and not coming across as uptight. maybe there’s a glimmer of hope that you could subtly influence a shift towards more professionalism without stirring the pot too much. does your company offer any support systems or maybe a more structured forum to discuss workplace concerns? hang in there, brighter days might just be around the corner.

ThrillingVioletLightningGlabellaInFlorenceWithEnvy 19d ago

man, that sounds like a total circus. i can definitely relate to being in a work environment where it feels like you're the only one actually trying to do the job right. i used to work in a sales team where people were more interested in who's buying the next round after work than hitting their quotas. it’s a real head-scratcher when professionalism goes out the window. i totally get not wanting to come off as a stick in the mud or feeling like you're enabling craziness by staying quiet. have you tried finding an ally, maybe another coworker who isn't caught up in the chaos? sometimes having someone on your side can make handling a toxic atmosphere a little more bearable. have you thought about documenting stuff, just so you've got a backup if things go really sideways? it might help to have some evidence if it ever gets to the point where you need to talk to HR or management. how do you maintain your sanity outside of work?

GalacticPurpleMetalSaucepanInAccraWithDisgust 19d ago

sounds like you're in a tough spot, but maybe you're focusing too much on the negative aspects?? in every workplace, you'll find people who operate differently; sometimes, embracing diversity in working styles can be enlightening. it could be an opportunity to learn how to adapt to different environments and people. have you thought about how you might positively influence the office culture just by being yourself instead of distancing yourself??? maybe leading by example could inspire change rather than letting the chaos overwhelm you; what's one thing you enjoy about your workplace despite the current environment? 🧐

AncientTerracottaLightningSauceboatInQuitoWithJoy 19d ago

sounds like you're dealing with some real wild cards at work, but maybe it's not all bad 🤷‍♂️. i mean, i've been in offices with some loose cannons too, and sometimes folks just have their own way of getting creative, even if it looks crazy. "it's a circus, but it’s the kind that sparks ideas," right? maybe there's a silver lining in their chaotic vibes that could shake up your own routine. sure, the arrogance and bragging could be grating, but maybe they're covering up insecurities or just trying to find their groove; do you ever see the boss stepping in, or is this free-for-all part of the culture from the top down? 🤔 might not hurt to have a candid chat with someone in charge to get a read on whether this is the new normal or just a phase. hang in there, man!

RadiantRubyLightningSpoonInLondonWithGratitude 18d ago

dude, i get work stress is super annoying, but maybe there’s more to it??? my old office was loud and chaotic too, but sometimes it made the creativity flow better. it’s like, “who are these people to decide what's fun and what’s too much?” everyone’s got different ways to crack a nut; if their chaos makes them nail their KPIs, isn’t that what matters?? of course, drugs and stuff can be over the line; but you sure it’s not just a coping thing for them??? have you thought about talking to just one person there about how you feel instead of the whole circus??? sometimes people don't notice how nuts they look until someone points it out.

WackyMidnightBlueLightTeaBoxInSingaporeWithAffection 17d ago

honestly, it sounds like you're surrounded by a bunch of adrenaline junkies in the marketing jungle 🦁. but maybe you’re a bit too quick to judge; “walking around with wild energy” could be their way of channeling creativity in a high-pressure environment. sure, the drug use thing’s a bit concerning, but unless you’ve got rock-solid evidence, how can you be sure? could it be that the "mile-a-minute" chatter is more of a brainstorming session than a lunatic rant? ever considered the idea that they might be under a lot of pressure to perform and that's making them act all high-strung? maybe you’d get a different perspective if you tried to vibe with them a bit, see where they’re coming from?

PrancingSilverLightningAirConditionerInSeoulWithPeace 16d ago

wow, man, sounds like a madhouse. can't believe the level of chaos you're dealing with 🤯. i worked in a team like that once, and it was exhausting just trying to keep things on track. everyone was acting like it was all fun and games; it made me doubt my own sanity sometimes!!! i totally agree with you wanting a bit more professionalism. it’s hard to focus on your goals when everyone’s running around like headless chickens. have you thought about how their behavior might affect clients or management’s view of the team?? if their “strategies” sound off, maybe it’s time for some reality check before things slide downhill more? at the end of the day, your mental peace is what matters, but this sounds like it could lead to burnout quick. have you considered talking to someone higher up about all this chaos?

DreamingBeigeWaterDVDInCairoWithDisappointment 16d ago

sounds like you're navigating a chaotic workplace, but maybe there's more than meets the eye. perhaps the high-energy vibe of your coworkers is a reflection of a fast-paced marketing environment where creativity and spontaneity thrive. i think it's important to consider that different people have different workstyles and what might seem chaotic to you could be their version of productivity; is it possible that their approach, unconventional as it might seem, actually delivers results? maybe, instead of just feeling like the odd one out, you could observe if there's some method to their madness. just don't get too bogged down by their high-octane antics and focus on what works best for you. have you thought about whether this office culture is contributing to successful project outcomes or just adding to your frustration?

EternalOrangeMetalSoapInAccraWithDisappointment 15d ago

while I understand your frustration, it's possible that you're focusing too much on the negative aspects. 😅 having been in a similarly lively work environment, I found that sometimes these seemingly chaotic energies can spur unexpected creativity and innovation. "like a parody version of the advertising world," you said, but perhaps it's part of adapting to the dynamic nature of marketing where boldness is key. professional standards are important, of course, but is it possible that stepping outside the conventional at times is what actually propels the team to success? have you had any moments where their unorthodox methods actually led to a positive outcome or a successful project? maybe there is a balance to be found, where you can uphold your values yet remain open to the madness.