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Coveting a Coworker: The 4-Way

By: The 4-Way Panel (View Profile)

The 4-way is a rollicking romp of dating and sex advice offered from the perspective (or lack thereof) of four fairly unqualified relationship experts: straight man, gay man, straight woman, and gay woman.

Dear 4-Way,
I’ve got a huge crush on a guy I work with. I think he’s interested in me too because whenever we talk, our conversations are very flirty and we email and IM about random funny stuff throughout the day. I’ve told a couple of friends about my crush and they’re split 50/50 on whether or not I should pursue something with him since we work together. My argument is that I spend so much time at work, where else am I going to meet people? Besides, if you go on a date with someone, you only get to see their “date” personality, not what he’s really like. This guy seems to be the full package: hot, smart, funny, nice, and of course, gainfully employed. What do you guys think?—EM, Cincinnati, Ohio

The straight woman’s perspective: Rebecca Brown
My hair stylist was recently telling me about an inter-salon love affair that had gone wrong and she said something very wise, which you’ve probably heard before: never shit where you eat, EM.

I understand that it’s hard to meet people. I have no idea how old you are, but I can tell you that meeting people definitely becomes harder as you get older. People start pairing off like Noah’s Ark and all of a sudden, your number of potential mates is dramatically lower—and those hunky coworkers start to look good.

But allow me to get a little Miss Cleo on you and predict a couple of potential disastrous and uncomfortable futures.

1) You date. You break up. Then one day you see him in the kitchen spreading cream cheese on his bagel and you wonder why he never gave you (or your breasts) the same loving care and attention to detail. You talk incessantly about his shortcomings as a human being and lover to any coworker who will listen. You gain fifteen pounds and become known as Bitter Office Girl Who Dated the Guy in Engineering.

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posted: 04.18.2008
David Mailinator
I admit, I didn't read past the first advise section, but what about the scenario: You date, one of you moves to another division or company, you get married and live life happily ever after. Seems to me that's as likely as the first 4 choices. You don't have to work at the same place. Great relationships are rare, keep things simple until you decide you're in love then get jobs elsewhere to avoid the potentialities.
posted: 04.18.2008
James Dehnert
Better to regret what you did, that what might have been. This is the same advice I gave a friend of mine about 15 years ago, and he' been happily married for 14 years now.
posted: 04.18.2008
Mike Caprio
Anyone with any background in social psychology will tell you: people are naturally attracted to the other people they are physically closest to. The ones they see every day, and interact with on a regular basis. This means that office crushes are as inevitable as schoolroom dorm romances or girl-next-door flings. It also means that powerful psychological forces are driving you into this situation, and you may not actually be as compatible or truly attracted to him as you think you are at first blush.
posted: 04.18.2008
J G
Horrible advice. I met my wife at work. Jobs come and jobs go but true love is much harder to find.
posted: 04.18.2008
Dude WebmastuhB
Ignore everyone's advice except for the gay man's perspective. If you like this guy and think things could work well with this guy - go for it! Sure there may be consequences if it doesn't work out - but who gives a shit? Deal with them if they come up. This isn't grade school anymore. Either deal with them like a mature adult, or quit and move on to a different company. Sure there is risk, but without risk, there is no reward. Do not live in fear of failure! Do not live in fear of some sort of "possible outcome"! Do not live in fear. There is a great scene from the movie, Defending You Life; "Fear is like a dark fog. Real feelings, true emotion, true love - they can't get through that fog. But if you lift that fog - brother, you are in for the ride of your life!" What if you hit it off with this guy and it works out to be the best thing that has ever happened? Ignore the petty naysayers, and go for it. For the record, I am a married, strait male.
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