Regarding Jim & Pam, I met my wife at work at the Ramada Inn. I was a bookkeeper, she was a reservationist. She melted me wearing that front desk uniform. We went to group lunches at first. I surprised her with a poem when she was down. We kept it secret that when we announced our engagement all of management was surprised! I say "Go Jim & Pam!"

Awww, that's such a sweet story. I'm a sucker for stories like that. That may be partically why I LOVE this show.

I loved the email Jim was writing to Pam the camera caught over his shoulder in the repeat of The Fight episode this week.
So stereo typical of office unrequited love!
I also like the Ryan/Kelly PSA's on office romance LOL

Yeah, that PSA was really cute. I also loved the end of the Fight episode when Jim left the chips on Pam's desk. It was Jim's way of saying "I'm sorry." And when Pam saw the chips, all was forgiven. I just LOVE little things like that.

It wasn't a peace offering, he had promised her the chips for her help (she asked Michael to have Dwight stay late and walk her to her car)....

Yeah, in the beginning he promised her the chips, but after the incident at the karate place, it became both because he couldn't e-mail her without the cameras over his shoulder.

Out of curiosity, what happens if you fall in love with one of your co-workers and start up a relationship in the office, similar to Dwight and Angela or (hopefully) Jim and Pam? Does one of the two have to leave to the company, the office location, etc? I'm curious how it works in the real world. I mean lets think about it. We spend 80% of our day with people at work. They are typically the ones we go to lunch with, go to Christmas parties with, hang out at happy hour with, and share the same piece of carpet with every day. So, it's only natural and logical that two people may start as co-workers, become friends, and then end up falling in love at the office. So, what's the rules on that with companies? I know they "frown upon" the idea but I have yet to see anything in any sort of official document stating that it is against company policy to date someone you work with. So, here are my questions for you.

1. Have you ever fallen in love with someone you worked with (similar to Jim and Pam or Dwight and Angela)? Did it work out for you? What happened?

2. Anyone know what we the rules are on dating in the office? I'm actually curious.

Have a great one!!

In a lot of companies it is not allowed if one person supervises the other. However, when this is not the case the relationship is usually declared in a statement to HR. (I believe that is the policy of DM as well.) My (now) husband and I met at work and secretly dated for some time before we married and I chose to leave the company.

Companies are smart to have policies about office dating, but I think they are natural and almost unavoidable.

I've had office relationships, and they are a LOT of fun and VERY distracting, and HORRIBLE when they end! The biggest problem is keeping it discreet. Inevitably, everyone in the office/company knows when it is good and when it is over. Also a major problem with company functions when you're both there and can't be each other's dates.

If it's unavoidable, and it gets serious, I think any couple in that position needs to have a plan for departure -one or the other, or both.

That having been said, I hope that Jim and Pam continue with their flirtation!

the rules depend on the company.

my sister and brother in law met in their office, dated, married, and she left after they had their first child. shes a stay at home mom of 4 now and he is a partner at the firm.

i worked at a book store that had rules against it and there was a guy and girl there that were dating. they had to keep it a secret. the manager knew about it but looked the other way. but when they married, one had to quit.

I think most places are cool with it if you're forthcoming and don't let the relationship interfere with your work. That - and if one person isn't in a higher position than the other.

I met my husband at work. We kept it secret (well, relatively - some people know) until I left. Not because it wasn't allowed, but to avoid drama. And I didn't leave because of the relationship - I was on my way out before we started dating.

This all being said, I think it takes a special couple to actually work together and survive. I think if I had continued to work at the same place as my husband, we never would have gotten married.

i wonder what happens at offices that allow romances so long as one is not a superior and then one gets a promotion after the romance is well underway? do they transfer one to another department or what?>

And therein lies the major writing challenge for the Jim/Pam storyline. If she calls off the wedding, that's going to be major office drama since Roy works next door in the warehouse.

But if she and Jim start up a romantic relationship at the same time, that would be considered scandalous in almost any office.

I can't wait to see how they handle it!