Speaking in Third Person?

[Trixie Belle]

Hello,

I'm looking for some help with a co-worker who has recently starting referring to himself in the the third person. He is in his 50s and does have Asperger's. Is this a coping mechanism to help him deal with stress? We work in the service industry and this is putting his job in jeopardy. When asked why he is referring to himself in the third person, he gets very upset and defensive. We are trying to be supportive but this behavior is confusing our customers. What can we do to help him?

 

[tree]

What has changed for him that might have prompted him to start speaking of himself this way?
It sounds like he feels threatened in some way.
Speaking of self in third person creates distance, and an impression of objectivity.

Has he been accused of not performing his job functions adequately?

The Psychological Case for Talking in the Third Person
https://melmagazine.com/en-us/story/the-psychology-of-referring-to-yourself-in-the-third-person

 

[Iamnotarabot]

I am not this person, but when I think about that, I imagine that I would talk about me at the 3rd person if I knew some people were talking about me behind my back.

 

[zurb]

What’s his background?
It would have been common during the time he was studying (especially for engineers) to always write in third person and passive sentences. It might just be this training coming to the surface, especially if he’s feeling stressed.

 

[Tom]

Sounds like a stupid game. Yes, Autistics play them too. The boss needs to tell him to cut that crap out or he will shortly only be referred to in the past tense.

 

[china autie]

"Hi Employee. We work to accommodate your neurology/Aspergers/differences

however

talking about yourself in the third person

is confusing our customers.

Please cut it out.
If you are stressing, here is the phone number to our employee assistance program.
We may be able to move you to a back office/bussing tables/a different position

or we may have to terminate you."

Checking into whether or not other employees are talking about him or bullying him may be worth checking into.

 

[Trixie Belle]

What has changed for him that might have prompted him to start speaking of himself this way?
It sounds like he feels threatened in some way.
Speaking of self in third person creates distance, and an impression of objectivity.

Has he been accused of not performing his job functions adequately?

The Psychological Case for Talking in the Third Person
https://melmagazine.com/en-us/story/the-psychology-of-referring-to-yourself-in-the-third-person

His work schedule has been changed a little bit due to staff shortage. He also has a history of speaking accents but that has been going on for about a year. I will mention this to his direct supervisor. Thank you.

 

[Trixie Belle]

What’s his background?
It would have been common during the time he was studying (especially for engineers) to always write in third person and passive sentences. It might just be this training coming to the surface, especially if he’s feeling stressed.

He doesn't have any education past high school, but I think you might be right that this a coping mechanism due to stress. Thank you.

 

[Trixie Belle]

I am not this person, but when I think about that, I imagine that I would talk about me at the 3rd person if I knew some people were talking about me behind my back.

Thank you for your reply. We try not to have a gossipy atmosphere at work, but if I customer brings a problem to me as a shift supervisor, I need to discuss it with his direct supervisor. But I will make sure the rest of the staff isn't talking about him.

 

[Trixie Belle]

"Hi Employee. We work to accommodate your neurology/Aspergers/differences

however

talking about yourself in the third person

is confusing our customers.

Please cut it out.
If you are stressing, here is the phone number to our employee assistance program.
We may be able to move you to a back office/bussing tables/a different position

or we may have to terminate you."

Checking into whether or not other employees are talking about him or bullying him may be worth checking into.

Thank you. I will investigate the possibility of bullying.

 

[tlc]

I do it when I'm feeling exceptionally well. But always when I'm alone.