How to Hide That You're in Love With a Coworker
When a certain coworker walks up to you, you could notice that your heart is beating a little bit faster. You find them to be irresistibly charming, and as a result, you laugh enthusiastically at their jokes. A romantic relationship between coworkers can be exceedingly difficult to navigate, particularly in situations in which your employer frowns upon or outright outlaws workplace romance, you (or both of you) are already in a committed relationship, or you have your own personal romance policy with someone you work with. Perhaps you simply do not want anyone, including the object of your affections, to find out about it. Perhaps this is the case. For whatever reason you would prefer to keep your crush on your co-worker a secret, there are ways to conceal your sentiments of love for your co-worker. At the same time, you should strive to come to terms with the idea that your unrequited love may never be fulfilled (or should never be accomplished).
Acting Professionally
1- The way you treat your colleague should be the same way you treat any other colleague
The simplest method for concealing your emotions is to act as if they are not there. Although not difficult to understand in concept, putting it into practice can be challenging. If you find it difficult to maintain things "business as usual," then you should try to restrict the amount of interaction you have with that coworker as much as is reasonable.
- For instance, you should try to avoid going out to lunch with them unless there is also a huge group going. If you are travelling with a group, you should try your best to talk to people in the group other than the person you are interested in, even if that person is in the group.
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Consider how you would behave around any one of your other coworkers, and then try to act the same way around the person you have a crush on.
2- Avoid engaging in flirtation with them
This might be challenging, particularly if they have a tendency to flirt with you. Nevertheless, one of the clearest indications that you are interested in the other person is if you start acting in a similar manner or if you reciprocate their conduct. You won't be able to keep your affection for them a secret for very long if you flirt with them. Would you flirt with a coworker even if you had no romantic interest in them? Almost certainly not.
- For instance, refrain from laughing at every humorous remark that they make. You don't have to be impolite, but showing that you're not interested in what's being said by giving a tepid laugh when someone makes a joke and quickly changing the subject will suffice.
3- Stay away from touching them
It goes without saying that you should avoid touching your colleague in an inappropriate manner; nevertheless, you should also avoid touching them at all, with the exception of a professional handshake if one is required. If he makes a flirtatious remark, you shouldn't put your hand on his arm, get behind his shoulders and put your hands on his shoulders, or hug him. Also, avoid putting your hand on his arm. This is not just a clear indication that you are interested, but it is also seen as unprofessional behavior in many different kinds of work environments.
