Dating 101

Workplace Dating - The Do's and Don'ts - Part 1

Finding yourself single after college is increasingly hard-- not only are your girlfriends off doing their own fabulous things, but your dating pool as significantly dwindled down to slim pickin's. You are no longer surrounded by your peers-- your usual routine of Tuesday night dates has been replaced with you, the work you didn't finish from the day, and the TV going off in the background for white noise.

A lot of magazines targeted for women recommend inter-office dating, usually showcased with a makeout scene by the filing cabinets. (Getting out into the "real world," we begin to wonder, "Who really works in a place like that?!)

B & L want you to be forewarned before you slide the hottie in the cube next to you your number on a post-it: You've worked hard for four years building your education and now want to maintain your professional integrity that you're building, from the bottom of the totem poll on up!

If your office is small, B & L recommend staying away from dating any one. The same applies if you have a large company and you and potential Mr. Right Now work in the same department. Sure, right now all you can do is gaze over and think how cute he looks in his khakis and Lacoste polo and wonder how anything could possible go wrong...la de dah, off in dream land.

::Shake, shake:: Wake up!

Save yourself awkwardness of seeing that person every day after things sour! (And they will likely sour.¹) Think: Do you really want to overhear his conversation he's definitely going to have about his wild night at such-and-such club, name dropping all the people he saw, and the girl he went home with?²

Let us answer this for you: "No." Yes, you could do the same³, but you're way past playing those games. Just take our advice and don't get involved in the first place.

Also, suppose you were to date, what is your conversation going to centralize around? How your days were? You already know -- you were there for it all!

Now, this does not mean you should not socialize with your co-workers. Going out after work for drinks and/or appetizers is always recommended. It is good for team morale and networking. Just do NOT be the girl that has one too many drinks or eats like she hasn't seen food in days. Pace yourself. The same rule applies to any company outing.

If you are dating someone in your office, keep work at work, and your relationship outside of the office doors. Don't let the argument you had last night ruin your work performance during the day. Call your girlfriend at lunch if you need to vent.

And, most importantly, do not get caught trying to hook up anywhere around or near the office! This includes⁴:

> no footsie under the table;

> no accidental hand grazing at the table;

> no quickies in the supply room;

> no bum grabs as he walks by; and

> no sitting on his lap (even if the door is closed!).

Instead of trying to find a date at work, ask your friends if they know anyone or try your hand at one of the online dating sites.⁵

So, remember-- the workplace is just that: a place for work. Be extra careful when you mix work and your social life. The lines can become very blurry and you don't want to be out of a relationship and your job.

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1. What? L is a bit of a pessimist when it comes to relationships!

2. Most likely made up.

3. a la Cher Horowitz in the classic movie Clueless, sending yourself a gorgeous flower arrangement (or two!), dark European chocolates, and dropping your pen by his cube so he can check out your "stems."

4. But is not limited to.

5. MySpace not included. Creepy.