How do I tell my boss his contant whistling is so annoying?

Question

I work in a very small office, i sit in the hall right outside my boss' door. He is always whistling (and then coughing and clearing his throat) or humming and I have no door to close to keep out the whistling. Someone had said something to him before (and moved offices because of it) but he was very rude and my boss' response was he is just a "happy person". I don't know anyone that is that happy. I have been working for him for several years and it seems his whistling has gotten much worse in the last few years and it is driving me crazy!

Answer 1

Why not tell him it distracts you from your work?

Answer 2

I use to work with a girl that at any given moment would break out in song.. I swear...You would think she was in a musical..

I just would look at her and say "if Im real nice to you would you stop singing.."?  Its making me crazy..

BUT I would say with with a SMILE... Make sure your boss does not think you are being mean or rude.

Answer 3

Connect first and then request.

Let me explain. Wait for a day, when he is really whistling good OR bad (in comparison). Start the first  conversation. Tell him today you are sounding better OR worse (as the case may be. Immediately ask, are you happier today OR not feeling well today?

Now that you have hit the chord, tell him that how you like his occasional whistling but also how it becomes annoying, espectially when you are working against a critical deadline.

I also saw a NO SMOKING poster on a road side. It read "I love having s*x, but I don't have it in your office. You may love smoking , but don't smoke in my office". You may use something similar to message him, if the first one does not work or you do not like that idea.  

Answer 4

Start whistling whenever he does.

He probably doesn't even know he is doing it.