Office Spouses

I read an article earlier this week about “office spouses.” Have you heard about this? Has this world completely gone nuts?

Here’s the deal. In the workplace men and women are developing these relationships with members of the opposite sex that go beyond professional working relationships. They flirt, bicker like couples, and rely on one another emotionally.

“Experts” are saying that these relationships make for a more productive work environment. They enable people to enjoy their jobs more, make it easier to get up and go to work in the morning. AND they claim office spouses also allow for healthier relationships with real spouses at home. ???? WTF?

So here’s my question: Where’s the line? What constitutes betrayal of the real spouse? Kissing? Sexual contact? Heavy innuendo and flirting? How emotionally attached to one another do office spouses become?

I completely understand office friendships. But at what point do they become “office spouses” and doesn’t the name itself imply things have gone a little too far if you already have a spouse? Hello! Polygamy is not widely accepted in this country or in most marriages.

And what happens outside of work? Is it ok to meet your office spouse for dinner? Isn’t that a date night?

I used to work in an office and I had friends (both male and female) at work that I never spent time with outside of work. I think that’s normal and healthy. Did I ever joke around with any of the attorneys or record execs I worked with? Sure. Were some of them nice to look at? A few. Did I think of them as husbands or even boyfriends. Hell no. Does my husband flirt with the nurses he works with every day. Hell yes. Is he married to them at work? He damn sure better not be.

Am I alone in this confusion? Somebody please tell me something that makes sense. I don’t get this at all. Business friendships. Ok. I understand. An additional “spouse” at the office. You just lost me.