hello angela

i understand your situation and i can almost picture it out. Actually I have experienced it a bit but it was with my co-worker. Because we are seatmates. But we are great friends. It's the way I handled our conversations. If i really don't want to be bothered, I don't mind her on my side, I concentrate on my pc. But when she starts to talk to me about something which is beyond our job, I just respond with a close-ended sentence. Then, I just make it up to her during break time or when we're not very busy.

But with your situation, I think you need to inform your boss about this. Then you can talk to her and tell her about your concern in a way that is not offensive. Just make her understand and realize that her attitude affects your work.

God Bless. .