The very relaxed and easygoing attitude you have can contribute indeed. People rather see you as a friendly guy then the professional.
Now I must tell you I'm the same, Im also very relaxed, calmed down and easygoing. But I have my boundaries, and I think you should put them up for yourself aswell.
People tease me quite regularly as well, and I do it back with friends and people I like aswell. I also make a lot of fun of myself, because I am confident enough to do so, and I don't like hurting others through such "jokes".
But the fact that I make fun of myself doesn't mean others can do the same! I have my personal boundaries to which people can go, they can kid around with me, but when they crossed the line I tell them or show them some other way. Also I'm quite witty and I can take my discussions and "joke fights" quite well.
So it depends on you, what your humor is like. If you have the capability of putting others straight with returning their jokes, do it. But don't make it something negative, that's not the way to go. You can return the joke and still keep a big smile. The other will feel what you mean, but they won't be able to say you are dissing them.
If you are not that witty, don't try to solve it this way, will cause you a lot frustration. Instead try to show it with your body language, when someone jokes at your cost just look them firmly in the eyes so they know it's enough.
Or when they joke, just stay complete neutral and in your power, what they are saying has NOTHING to do with you. They are projecting and you shouldn't care less. They are a mere annoyance, so don't give any reponse to it, just look at them saying nothing. Don't fall in the trap of just looking at your screen or whatever, since that shows weakness in my opinion.
And my last solution would be to just tell them up straight "I don't appreciate what you are doing right now". This verbal solution is ofcourse the most clear way, but it can also cause some frustration and tension between you and the co-workers.
Try to find a way that is congruent with yourself, but which shows your power and that you don't appreciate what they are doing. People often avoid telling others that they don't like a certain thing, but that is not needed. Ofcourse you have to weigh for yourself whether it's worth to say something. But if you really get annoyed and feeling disrespected by something, make it clear to the other!
Good luck!  |