When it comes to revealing your office romance, there might not be a right way, but we are pretty sure these are the wrong ways.
1. The Accidental Reply-All
We’ve all been there: you hit “Reply All” by mistake, and suddenly your entire office knows what you had for dinner. But accidentally revealing your romantic escapades? A whole new level of awkward. Picture this: you send a saucy message intended for your coworker beau, but instead, it lands in the inbox of the entire company. Now, instead of discussing quarterly reports, your colleagues are dissecting your relationship.
Avoid it by: Triple-checking the recipient before hitting send and, perhaps, saving those personal messages for non-work communication platforms.
2. The Overly Enthusiastic Team-Building Exercise
During an office team-building event, emotions run high, and so does enthusiasm. You’re in a trust fall exercise, and you decide this is the perfect moment to declare your undying love. “I trust you completely, just like I trust my amazing boyfriend/girlfriend, who’s also a teammate here!” The room falls silent, and the awkward shuffling begins.
Avoid it by: Keeping your declarations of love separate from professional settings. Stick to “I trust my team” and leave the romantic professions for private moments.
3. The Coordinated Outfit Catastrophe
Couples sometimes like to match their outfits, but doing this at work can be a dead giveaway. Showing up to the office in matching “I’m with him” and “I’m with her” T-shirts is a surefire way to spark suspicion and office gossip. Plus, explaining why you’re both wearing identical dinosaur sweaters on a casual Friday is a conversation nobody wants to have.
Avoid it by: Coordinating your wardrobes to avoid obvious matching. Think complementary colors, not identical outfits.
4. The Obvious Desk Decorations
It’s great to have personal touches at your desk, but when your workspace starts looking like a shrine to your coworker, it’s a bit much. Photos of the two of you, heart-shaped sticky notes, and framed love quotes are dead giveaways. Your desk shouldn’t look like a romantic getaway brochure.
Avoid it by: Keeping personal photos and love notes at home or, if you must have them, ensure they’re discreet and not overly romantic.
5. The Freudian Slip During Meetings
Imagine you’re in a serious meeting discussing the annual budget, and you suddenly say, “I totally agree with my love—uh, I mean, Linda.” Freudian slips can be hilarious, but not when they reveal your secret office romance. The snickers from your colleagues won’t help the situation.
Avoid it by: Practicing mindfulness and keeping your relationship top of mind only outside work hours. Stick to professional names and titles during meetings.
6. The PDA in the Break Room
The break room is a sacred space for coffee refills and casual chats, not for reenacting romantic movie scenes. Kissing or cuddling in the office kitchen can quickly turn your love story into the latest office scandal. Remember, the only steamy thing in the break room should be the coffee.
Avoid it by: Saving any displays of affection for outside the office. A professional demeanor during work hours is key.
7. The Overheard Phone Call
Having a sweet conversation with your partner is wonderful, but make sure it’s not broadcasted to the entire office. “Hey babe, can’t wait for our dinner date tonight!” followed by a colleague’s cough is a mortifying way to reveal your relationship.
Avoid it by: Taking personal calls in private spaces or outside the office. Keep your office conversations strictly business.
Dating a coworker can be challenging, especially when it comes to keeping the relationship under wraps. By avoiding these hilarious pitfalls, you can navigate your office romance with grace and avoid turning your love story into the latest office comedy.
