NO you do not date at work. I also have never met someone that met their spouse at work but know plenty that came close to losing their jobs over it.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For the people who immediately focus on intra-office dating, surely you understand that in large cities or urban sprawl, people work for different companies in the same building? That you can meet in the lobby, elevator, coffee shop, little wilted garden, etc? In just a few years, have you entirely forgotten what it's like to go to work?!?!

I really appreciated my workplace and *most* (not all) of the people in it when I was working in person. I don't think there's a big push to return to virtual work at all.

However I think virtual works well for some people, and I hope they can still find virtual options.

As I recall, while I was being paid to work, I worked. I didn't hit on people in the elevator or hang out like a homeless drifter in the "wilted garden."

So you walked straight to your cubicle, typed for 8 hrs, sprinted to elevator, and bolted out the door? If so, you may have certain personal issues. That’s fine
But most of us were capable of going work and being social with fellow employees. You know, normal human interaction

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are so many other and better ways to meet someone. You seem to have old fashioned thinking about college and work

What are these plentiful better ways of meeting people? All I ever read about GenZ/young millennials is that they are lonely and depressed. I see very few metrics Re their happiness. WFH exacerbates their self induced isolation.

So is this incorrect? Are GenZ - Mill more social? Real friends, of course, and not social media followers

They meet on dating apps. They meet on social media apps (Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, tiktok)

Is this why they are so lonely? I can’t imagine meeting friends and/or SO on IG or TikTok. This cannot be true
My poor kids. This sucks

Anonymous wrote:For the people who immediately focus on intra-office dating, surely you understand that in large cities or urban sprawl, people work for different companies in the same building? That you can meet in the lobby, elevator, coffee shop, little wilted garden, etc? In just a few years, have you entirely forgotten what it's like to go to work?!?!

I really appreciated my workplace and *most* (not all) of the people in it when I was working in person. I don't think there's a big push to return to virtual work at all.

However I think virtual works well for some people, and I hope they can still find virtual options.

As I recall, while I was being paid to work, I worked. I didn't hit on people in the elevator or hang out like a homeless drifter in the "wilted garden."

Anonymous wrote:There are so many other and better ways to meet someone. You seem to have old fashioned thinking about college and work

I think some of us on here who are “old fashioned” think it’s because these are very organic ways to meet people. Having work friends is so vital to your life in my opinion. There is no one else who can understand your perspective, inside jokes, commiserate etc like people who do the exact same thing as you. You don’t have to put yourself out there online when you are surrounded by people that you can chat with in person. No wonder why everyone is depressed these days… how many times have you laughed so hard you had to wipe away tears on a random Wednesday morning? Go to the office young people!!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are so many other and better ways to meet someone. You seem to have old fashioned thinking about college and work

What are these plentiful better ways of meeting people? All I ever read about GenZ/young millennials is that they are lonely and depressed. I see very few metrics Re their happiness. WFH exacerbates their self induced isolation.

So is this incorrect? Are GenZ - Mill more social? Real friends, of course, and not social media followers

They meet on dating apps. They meet on social media apps (Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, tiktok)

And we know dating apps are AWFUL. People complain about them all the time. There is a particular mental exhaustion that comes with online dating. Going to work and meeting people along the way, not inside their office, but adjacent to their office, might fix that for some people.

For the people who immediately focus on intra-office dating, surely you understand that in large cities or urban sprawl, people work for different companies in the same building? That you can meet in the lobby, elevator, coffee shop, little wilted garden, etc? In just a few years, have you entirely forgotten what it's like to go to work?!?!

I really appreciated my workplace and *most* (not all) of the people in it when I was working in person. I don't think there's a big push to return to virtual work at all.

However I think virtual works well for some people, and I hope they can still find virtual options.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are so many other and better ways to meet someone. You seem to have old fashioned thinking about college and work

What are these plentiful better ways of meeting people? All I ever read about GenZ/young millennials is that they are lonely and depressed. I see very few metrics Re their happiness. WFH exacerbates their self induced isolation.

So is this incorrect? Are GenZ - Mill more social? Real friends, of course, and not social media followers

They meet on dating apps. They meet on social media apps (Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, tiktok)

Anonymous wrote:There are so many other and better ways to meet someone. You seem to have old fashioned thinking about college and work

What are these plentiful better ways of meeting people? All I ever read about GenZ/young millennials is that they are lonely and depressed. I see very few metrics Re their happiness. WFH exacerbates their self induced isolation.

So is this incorrect? Are GenZ - Mill more social? Real friends, of course, and not social media followers

Good point OP.

I married my co-worker after saying I would never be *gasp* that person. We are about to hit 10 years.

Maybe make an effort to organize Happy Hours or other events?

I think that's fine for younger staff and people who just want to go into the office for social reasons. You folks go right ahead.

Those of us who are already married can continue to work from home.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People used to meet their spouses at work. With WFH it will be hard for me to (new-ish grad here).

Lol, I appreciate the honesty. I met my DH when we worked together as clerks at the same law firm, and 22 years and 2 kids later we are happily WFH in the exurbs. Employers should give their new hires the option to come in to the office, but your desire to meet a spouse definitely isn’t a reason that my 45 year old married self needs to come in.

I have the same feelings. I met my husband through a coworker so I wouldn’t have met him if not for my in person job. I also loved my 20s. Grabbing coffee/lunch/spontaneous happy hours are all amazing social opportunities before you have other family responsibilities. I now WFH full time because I have kids and aging parents but I encourage all the young grads I mentor to go into the office. Frankly I don’t understand young grads that want to stay home and work all day - it would make me depressed. Get up, get showered, put on a cute outfit and go out there and live your life!

I do go in for the reasons you mention, but the pandemic has done a number on the metro.

There are so many other and better ways to meet someone. You seem to have old fashioned thinking about college and work

I’m young Gen x and l agree with you. I met most of my good friends and friends of friends at work. And my spouses cousin who introduced us. I feel bad for people just starting out in such isolated work situations.

Use the tume you would spend commuting to meet people.