Hey Everyone,
I have a situation that's been bothering me, and I'd like to ask what you would choose to do if it were you.
One of my co-workers is a much older, wiser gentleman who is alone for the holidays. He's lived a wide and varied life and has many interesting stories to tell. We talk about life, travel, careers, and even the Bible, though we hold some very different beliefs, but are always respectful of each others' views.
I had a chance to talk with this man a few minutes on the night before Thanksgiving, seeing as we were both working for part of the holiday. He mentioned, as a matter of fact (and not self-pity), that he would be by himself for all the holidays, and it made me very sad.
I'm usually alone for the holidays as well, and sure, sometimes it's a real bummer, but I usually manage to stay busy, and most times, I'm usually working anyway.
But in this case, I was going to have the last half of Turkey Day off, and for a brief moment, I thought of asking this co-worker to meet me at a restaurant for a late lunch or early dinner.
It's funny how a simple act of wanting to reach out to someone can put you in such a tailspin. I weighed the pros and cons... and finally decided not to say anything.
Being single can be such a complicated thing, huh? It's like you can't win either way. I decided not to ask because I didn't want to give this man a reason to think I was romantically interested in him. In many ways, it's dangerous to even say that, because I'm not trying at all to sound conceited enough to think this man might become interested in me. But I think most people here know what I'm saying. He often praises me for some of the tasks I've completed and I don't want him to think of me as anything more than (hopefully) a good co-worker.
I've actually run into this situation a few times... There was someone I would have loved to ask to coffee or lunch, but I didn't, because I was afraid of giving off the wrong impression. Besides, how many times have we all complained about always having someone put us in the Friend Zone? So, I try very hard not to make someone else feel that way, either.
And so, I spent my Turkey Day mostly watching TV, but I was thinking about how sad it is that we can't even do something as simple as enjoy another person's company because of social/gender complications.
Christmas is fast approaching, and I will be by myself. I know my co-worker will be too. But again, I'm thinking it's best for me not to say anything.
What would you do?
Have you been in a similar situation before, and what did you decide to do?
I have a situation that's been bothering me, and I'd like to ask what you would choose to do if it were you.
One of my co-workers is a much older, wiser gentleman who is alone for the holidays. He's lived a wide and varied life and has many interesting stories to tell. We talk about life, travel, careers, and even the Bible, though we hold some very different beliefs, but are always respectful of each others' views.
I had a chance to talk with this man a few minutes on the night before Thanksgiving, seeing as we were both working for part of the holiday. He mentioned, as a matter of fact (and not self-pity), that he would be by himself for all the holidays, and it made me very sad.
I'm usually alone for the holidays as well, and sure, sometimes it's a real bummer, but I usually manage to stay busy, and most times, I'm usually working anyway.
But in this case, I was going to have the last half of Turkey Day off, and for a brief moment, I thought of asking this co-worker to meet me at a restaurant for a late lunch or early dinner.
It's funny how a simple act of wanting to reach out to someone can put you in such a tailspin. I weighed the pros and cons... and finally decided not to say anything.
Being single can be such a complicated thing, huh? It's like you can't win either way. I decided not to ask because I didn't want to give this man a reason to think I was romantically interested in him. In many ways, it's dangerous to even say that, because I'm not trying at all to sound conceited enough to think this man might become interested in me. But I think most people here know what I'm saying. He often praises me for some of the tasks I've completed and I don't want him to think of me as anything more than (hopefully) a good co-worker.
I've actually run into this situation a few times... There was someone I would have loved to ask to coffee or lunch, but I didn't, because I was afraid of giving off the wrong impression. Besides, how many times have we all complained about always having someone put us in the Friend Zone? So, I try very hard not to make someone else feel that way, either.
And so, I spent my Turkey Day mostly watching TV, but I was thinking about how sad it is that we can't even do something as simple as enjoy another person's company because of social/gender complications.
Christmas is fast approaching, and I will be by myself. I know my co-worker will be too. But again, I'm thinking it's best for me not to say anything.
What would you do?
Have you been in a similar situation before, and what did you decide to do?
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