Obnoxious co-worker

[Northwoods]

There's an intern that sits in the cube next to mine.  I'm about ready to throttle the guy.  He belches constantly throughout the day, and also constantly coughs like he's trying to clear a huge luggie.  I know he'll be out of there by sometime in August, but I'm not sure if I can take much more without doing something to get him to realize the problem.  I consider it very un-professional, and if I were his boss I'd make a note to never hire him no matter the quality of his work.  Head phones to drown out the noise won't help much since a) I can't stand to constantly wear them, b) I'd have to track down too many CD since they block streaming audio/video and c) I shouldn't have to.

I know that everybody belches.  I do too.  I also fart from time to time.  But I at least try to stifle the belches, particularly when it's not right around lunch time.  If I have a problem with coughing I get a cough drop.  I get annoyed by my own coughing enough that I do whatever is necessary to keep it to the bare minimum.  

What you all recommend as the best way to address the issue so that I can resolve it without creating a situation that winds up involving HR or security?  I've considered leaving some Gas-X and cough drops with an anonymous note about the belching and coughing, but I'm not sure that's the best route.

[Felonious Monk/Fignozzle]

Don't know that there IS a tasteful way to approach the subject.

Anonymously leave some Beano and Gas-X on his desk?

[charby]

be like Monte Python and fart in his general direction

[280plus]

Torch his cubicle.

[280plus]

No WAIT!! I forgot this was the internet again

DO NOT, under any circumstances, TORCH HIS CUBICLE!!

Is that clear?

[Guest]

Consider yourself lucky that he is seperated from you by a cubicle wall. The latest thing in office design is to reduce space to an average of 88 square feet (that includes walkway and lounge areas) and to eliminate cubicle walls.

[Shalako]

Its not a solution, but if it makes you feel any better about your situation, I've got a co-worker that always does the quiet mini-belch (every 10 minutes or so) that just completely REEK like she enjoys fifteen garlic tabs and a stick of salami every morning. When she pops out those little gems in my cube I back away as much as possible and hold my breath inconspicuously...

I may just get my wife to make me one of those little pot-pourri pillows I can jam into my own face when the gal leaks another garlic cloud of death...

Maybe you could get the guy moved to another cube? Or say to the guy, "Just between you and me, the belching thing isn't quite professional and could really hold you back in your career. Something to consider."

[Werewolf]

Excessive belching can be a sign of stomach cancer, intestinal or colon cancer - usually intestinal.

Maybe the guy needs to see a doctor?

Or - maybe - he's just a freaking PIG!

[Jamisjockey]

Funny, we usually enjoy bodily functions to thier fullest extent.
If it bugs you that much, though, be rude.  The guy is, after all, an intern.  After each belch, a loud "excuse you!" might be in order.  Maybe a nasty "do you mind, I'm working?"  We don't have interns, but we do have trainees.  When necessary (not just because I'm an ahole), I am not afraid to belittle, embarass, or verbally rough them up.  Being in a high-pressure environment, though, that's typically to be expected.