Was my intrusive co-worker rude or just clueless?

Does my co-worker not "get it": that as a junior person, you limit interruptions of more senior people to a bare minimum? She just finished school and just started working. I'm in my 40s.

She constantly stops by people's offices (who are more senior than she is) and yaps about her personal life. Like we care.

On Friday, she called me. We weren't working on anything together so she didn't need to call me, and so I didn't answer the phone. She didn't leave a message.

My firm's email system (affecting desktops and iPhones) wasn't working, so I decided that I could just do my work later, and so I started to leave.

Then as I was leaving the building, as I was literally stepping into the elevator, she came tearing out into the lobby. "Sorry to bother you, but I've been trying to email something to myself, but it doesn't show up on my phone. Do you know what's wrong?"

I said, "It must not be working. Have a good weekend", and then left in the elevator.

What junior person holds up a senior person like that? She must have been calling about her same stupid issue.

Am I right, or am I too sensitive (in which case her etiquette and manners were fine)?

Thanks.

Added (1). To add: the new co-worker is about to get fired because nobody will work with her, and so she doesn't have anything to do. My boss refuses to let me work with her. I don't know if the reason is because she bugs the daylights out of people.

You really have a hang up with the 'junior/senior' label don't you?
Like the other user says, why don't you try being friendly and welcoming instead of rude and unhelpful. My guess is, you are jealous of her.

Snobbish much? Interrupting anyone, regardless of seniority or inferiority is rude. Don't build up walls around people and pretend to be in different rungs or classes. We're all people and we all have a job to do. If you interrupt me in the performance of my job, we all suffer, including you, because now my job can't get done. When you take power out of peoples hands to self-regulate, you simultaneously absolve them of all accountability. I think if anyone feels the need to interrupt you, its probably for what they perceive to be a good reason. It is their judgment because they are thinking beings, which is why they have the job in the first place. If you deny them the right to ever interrupt then they won't ever interrupt, even if the building were falling down around you.

I think that you are too wrapped up in the fact that you are "senior". Believe it or not, you may actually have something to learn from her someday. You are not a social person, she obviously is. To each his own.
If her being so talkative disrupts her work, I'm sure her boss will let her know- it isn't your place.

You are far too sensitive and something of a snob. You were new once too. Instead of having a bunch of disdain and being completely rude and unhelpful, perhaps you should mentor her.

Or are you threatened by her?

If she is such a pain, why do you even care? You sound like a real snob to me. That may be unrelated to your question, but it's true none the less.

You are the problem. You are unable to get past the age difference. Jealousy is a terrible emotion.

Your a miserable bitter biotch

Well, taking your update about her losing her job into consideration, I think other people felt the same way. You're very fortunate that they took care of the problem for you.

In the future, though, find a way to tactfully mention whatever annoys you.

- I'm sorry, I'm not the person who can help you with that.
- I'm on a deadline - please don't interrupt me.
- We're having a meeting here, and can't stop to chat.

Young people are accustomed to socializing with their friends as a top priority. They'll stop whatever they're doing to chat. In a business office, it's a habit that needs to be corrected, but kindly, with a view to their future.

Junior and senior status is important in business. However, it's more about a person's responsibilities and place in the hierarchy, than about age.

YOU are rude and clueless. As a senior partner, you have an obligation to teach and mentor your subordinates.

Well it is pretty clear that she drives you up the wall! As her boss, it sounds like you need to delegate more to her to keep her busy. Make the time to do it. I'm a boss as well, so I can relate. I'm 31. Working with a younger generation is much different than older staff, you just have to learn how to deal with her in her terms. I too don't like getting interrupted, but you can't just let it build and be rude to her - she just doesn't get it & if sounds like she's just trying to fit in, but going about it the wrong way. Pull her aside, address the issues directly (not passively) and keep your cool. If these are annoyances that you have not addressed, you needed to cuz that's your Job. And if your boss won't let you work with her, your boss has probably noticed you're lacking in some aspect of being the boss. Best of luck.