They can be so wonderful at times. You get together by the water cooler and have a quick make-out session, just like in high school. Nobody knows you’re having lunch together. You get all hot and sweaty during lunch, and when you return, everyone thinks it’s just the humidity, or that the air conditioning in the office is broken.
But what if that person works in a different branch and you met them at a holiday party? So, what do you do now? Assume you met a guy at work, but you live in Montreal and he lives in New York City. How do you start this relationship?
First and foremost, never use the office messenger system or exchange e-mails within the office: if one person is offended, you may be saying “bye-bye” to your job when the human resources department becomes aware of the situation!
Start chatting and texting with him and simply tell him, “Hey look, I really think we had some chemistry at that office Christmas party. “Are you willing to pursue this?”
Why not be completely honest? Instead of guessing if he likes you, if he’s into you, and whether you “should” pursue something, why don’t you just say, “Hey look, I know you work at a different branch, but I’d like to get to know you a little bit better… Who knows, maybe one of us will be transferred one day and we’ll be able to spend more time together!”
It doesn’t even matter what you say; just say something. Just be honest, people. If you’re attracted to someone, simply say, “Hey, look, I’m attracted to you.” It’s as simple as that. And if they say, “I don’t want to do anything because it’s the office,” you’ll say, “That’s fine, we can be friends.”
But now is the time to be open and direct about your desires. Stop guessing and see if what you felt under the mistletoe at the office party can translate into a real-life connection, even if that person works in a different branch than you. You never know where something will lead, so speak up.
