The Ultimate Office Nightmare: When Co-Workers Turn Couple

It’s bad enough when Midtown lives up to its reputation for schmaltz by catering to Valentine’s Day in such ways as offering up kissing booths for those foul enough to prove to the world that they’re not settling for just anyone. What’s even worse, however–worse than when those in a relationship sitting near you talk about what their plans are for the “special day“–is when co-workers turn couple.

While they were probably already building up to making the big “reveal” to the office about being together, the telltale signs were surely already there, and Valentine’s Day is the perfect excuse to let one’s guard down when it comes to shows of affection, that none too subtle way of informing everyone else in the office that, “Yes, we spend so much time here that it was pointless to try to find someone that might actually be better suited to us.” Alas, this is the extent of romance when you’re an office worker–there’s not much room for branching out or trial and error, especially not when it comes to the trite gift of a teddy bear placed on her desk holding a heart that says, “I love you.” Though what it should have in parentheses is “(at least more than this job).”