Question: In my open-space office our 5-man team, "A" sits next to 8-man team "B". About 3 weeks ago, a colleague from HR came and asked team "B" to mind their behaviour because they were rather loud and tended to swear quite a bit.

In order to accommodate quickly, they decided that for each curse one has to throw some change into a jar. Their method proved effective, as they control each other strictly.

About a week later, they suggested that our team join their "jar fund" and everyone except me agreed to do so. It is not a matter of the insignificant fine amount, but rather that I do not wish to be monitored in such a manner, despite the fact that I hardly ever swear (definitely the least of them all). I explained why I wouldn't take part and deemed this issue settled.

However, one team "B" member keeps nagging me about paying the fine for my grand total of 2 curses (something silly like "damn," no less) basically every day and completely ignores the fact that I'm not taking part. I clearly let him know multiple times that he's being annoying but he doesn't seem to care. At this point, I've definitely ran out of patience and will probably get very unpleasant very soon.

Generally, I would not hold back but I don't want to perform a full-fledged rant at work.

I could notify his superior, but I would rather deal with it personally. To make it clear: I no longer care about having a good relationship with that person, but I don't want to be "that guy" who reports others for generally insignificant reasons.

What is the best way to handle this situation?

**Update:**

So it turns out that the problem fixed itself as the nagging coworker received a notice due to multiple complaints from the client regarding his lack of commitment and work ethic and was allowed to leave immediately.

Answer: 
Unfortunately, not participating in this is going to get you labeled as "not a team player", which is a CLM (career limiting move) of the first order. My advice to you would be to participate, since you don't curse often, it would do little harm. Your concern in being "that guy" is indeed founded.

**BUT**

if you insist, here is the proper way to do so without doing major damage to your career, go to that person and say...

> 
> Look, I understand that the teams are participating in this, but I don't feel comfortable, so I am not. Please let this matter drop, the rest of the team has.
> 
> 
> 

Then, if this person still persists...

> 
> Look, we've already discussed this and I am not participating. If we need to get your supervisor involved, we can, but I would prefer not to.
> 
> 
> 

Then let the matter drop. If he still persists then, and only then approach his supervisor with...

> 
> Hi, I'm sorry to bother you with what might seem a petty matter, but I've had several conversations with Joe about letting the matter with the curse jar drop, and he won't. This is making me a bit uncomfortable, could you please talk to him?
> 
> 
> 

Again, you don't want to make a huge issue of this, or you **WILL BE** "that guy"
Tell him you don’t carry change.

The last thing you want to do is play games - like bringing in your own “nag” jar. It only reinforces the confrontation.

Keep it professional, even if they don’t. Tell him you don’t have any change and you’re not playing his game. Then just stop responding, and get back to work.

Consider this: if you were to go to your manager over this, and asked him/her how to properly handle the issue, do you think he/she would say “Take it one step further. Bring in your own jar, label it ‘nag’, and set it on your desk.” Or would he/she say “just ignore them.”