should I say something or keep my mouth shut?

@lilybug (21107)
United States
July 3, 2011 11:30pm CST
A few months ago I realized that I was starting to have feelings for someone at work. I have been told by a few people that they think that he likes me too. We joke around all the time and give each other a hard time about things. I guess you could call it flirting. We are both extremely sarcastic people. I am very unsure of how he feels about me. I have never asked and I have never told him about my feelings. There is one VERY good reason for that...he is my BOSS! (If you saw one of my discussions awhile back you will remember that this is the guy who offered me a promotion to not quit my job.) I am torn as to what to do about this situation. Part of me wants to tell him how I am feeling because honestly it is driving me nuts. I am really starting to like him, and you never know....He might actually like me back. On the other hand part of me does not want to say anything because...well....he is my BOSS and technically we would not be able to date anyway. So really I guess it seems kind of pointless to tell him regardless of how he feels. Ahhhh..... I don't know what to do!!!!! Should I tell him? Should I keep my mouth shut?
1 person likes this
15 responses
@bird123 (10632)
• United States
4 Jul 11
Well now, maybe there is something you could do. Ask him what the company policy is for dating fellow employees. After he tells you ask if that would include someone in management. You might not have to say anything more. One thing to consider, if the relationship doesn't work out, how is life going to be at work??? On the other hand, some people find their true love at work. Only you can know. Be careful.
1 person likes this
@lilybug (21107)
• United States
4 Jul 11
He is a salaried manager and I am an hourly manager, so it would be a no-no. We actually have already had this conversation, but I am not the one who brought it up. Another employee brought it up. He is the main boss in my store, so he is not allowed to date anyone in the store. Actually, he is not even allowed to hang out with me. He did change his tune a little bit about fraternization the other day though because I went to the bar with another salaried manager and we are technically not allowed to hang out because I am not salaried. He told her that he did not care if she hung out with me though because it was on her own time and it did not interfere with work.
1 person likes this
• United States
4 Jul 11
On the one hand, I can understand why a company would not want a relationship between a boss and his or her subordinates, because it can cause a lot of problems, especially if the relationship does not work out. On the other hand, what two people do when they are not "on the clock" (at work) really is their own personal business and should not be dictated by his or her employer. I mean, there are exceptions such as illegal activities, but that is not the case here.
@nurseclare (2209)
• Philippines
4 Jul 11
Hi lilybug, For my own point of view you should shut your mouth for you are a beautiful WOMAN. you SHOULD WAIT FOR THE GUY TO CONFESS HIS FEELINGS. i THINK IT DOES NOT LOOK GOOD IF YOU'LL SHOW YOUR FEELINGS FIRST. And his your boss, that would be too awkward for you, that's for sure. I know you can never open your feelings to him unless you're definitely drunk. Just be yourself and continue your flirting session. :)
@lilybug (21107)
• United States
4 Jul 11
I don't know that I would be brave enough to tell him anyway. The continued flirting I know I can handle.
• United States
4 Jul 11
Why would it be improper for a woman to reveal her feelings first? I told my husband first that I loved him, and it worked out just fine. He felt the same way but was worried how I would react if he told me. Of course it doesn't always work out that way, and this is not a case of "I love you", but I don't think that gender is really the issue in this instance.
@lilybug (21107)
• United States
4 Jul 11
No, not a case of "I love you", just "I like you".
@jillhill (37354)
• United States
5 Jul 11
Personally I would let him make the first move since he is the boss...if you do it might appear to be something else....
@lilybug (21107)
• United States
6 Jul 11
I pretty much knew that everyone would say to shut up about it, but there was that part of me that kinda wants to. Oh well....
@JenInTN (27514)
• United States
6 Jul 11
Oh my..that is a tough one. If I couldn't have him, I don't think I would tell him or want to find out..it would be kinda torture. HOWEVER..if you did happen to find out and was willing to move to another job...well...it might be worth it to find out..lol. I say that because if I dated someone within the company, I would lose my position. There is a very strict policy in place where that is concerned where I work...I don't know policy where you work though. I don't know....I might test the water a bit IF I was super attracted and had nothing to lose by it..lol.
@lilybug (21107)
• United States
6 Jul 11
It is against company policy where I work too. I doubt I would ever say anything anyway. I am not really that bold and it would be torture.
@andy77e (5156)
• United States
4 Jul 11
Sarcasm is a risky way to build a relationship. I'm just telling you this because I've seen a number of perfectly fine couples, destroy their relationship because they were sarcastic to each other. Too often people think that they'll never be sarcastic with each other, but that just isn't the case. So that's a minor warning. Be ready to deal with that. Um.. should you say anything. Answer: NO. This is a touchy area, big time. Especially since he offered you a promotion, you do not say anything. Ever. So what would I do, if I were you... First, I assume he is single, not seeing anyone that you know about, and he doesn't have skeletons in his closet you should know about. Second, I'd wait for him to make the move, and be ready to get another job. The reason is, the moment you say something, from that point on your work-relationship will never be the same. It could be that he simply finds you to be a good friend, and a good employee, and I would really hate for you to ruin a good job (assuming it's a good job), over someone you never had a chance with. So wait for him to make the move, so you know he's interested and available. Don't jump out on the road, only to find you had no chance at stopping that car. Just stand there on the side, and wait for a the car stop if its going to stop.
@lilybug (21107)
• United States
4 Jul 11
He is single. He just got out of a relationship about 4 months ago.
@andy77e (5156)
• United States
4 Jul 11
Another good reason to wait. Give him time to heal from his past relationship.
@jaiho2009 (39142)
• Philippines
4 Jul 11
hello lily, I don't think you will be able to tell him about your feelings. I know you will always be feeling awkward to let him know what you feel for him now after all the teasing and kidding all those time. But who knows,maybe he is just waiting for the right time too. Maybe you can change a bit of,like stopped teasing with him,or keep distant,and I guess he will wonder why and soon start asking you. That time you can asks some question too why he is concerned and give him hint about what you feel. That way it won't sound you are the first to confess your feelings right. Hope it works,and wish this would be the start of a good story
@lilybug (21107)
• United States
4 Jul 11
I was not talking to him the other day because he annoyed me about something and I thought it best to just not say anything and let myself cool down about it and he got all bent out of shape asking everyone at work if I was mad at him and then he came and asked me about it. So, not talking to him just gets him acting weird.
1 person likes this
@jaiho2009 (39142)
• Philippines
4 Jul 11
Then I could guess he really has something to tell and feel towards you aside from those teasing (^_*) Just keep ignoring him,but sometimes smile when he is not talking to you,like if you met him in the hallway,just give him a smile..just to make him confused a bit (hehehe) i am sure he will go mad and will come to you and just grab you and give you a kiss (aw...I am jumping and imagining things heheheh,too much of love story movies )
@AmbiePam (85881)
• United States
5 Jul 11
I wouldn't tell him. If he were my boss, I'd let him make the first move because he'd be taking the biggest risk, so I'd see that as him deciding to take that risk or not. He might not do anything, but then again, he may. But that's just me and my opinion.
@lilybug (21107)
• United States
6 Jul 11
I doubt it. He makes like 3 times the money I do.
@LadyDulce (830)
• United States
4 Jul 11
If he wasn't your boss or coworker, I'd say definitely tell him or ask him out. Buuuut..... since he's your boss, definitely keep your mouth shut and CYA. Make sure you don't do anything to jeopardize your position. If one or both of you leave the company or move to different branches, then you can open up to him, if it's appropriate. But I strongly suggest you don't start a workplace romance. They rarely end well.
@katsmeow1213 (28717)
• United States
4 Jul 11
Well, if you can't even do anything about it, then what's the point? I guess you should just keep quiet about it and see how it plays out.
• India
4 Jul 11
Humm well its quite interesting story about you, I think you should probably be quite for a while because since he is your boss and cannot take any chances of asking me. The promotion of your can't be said it can be also because of your performance in the office. Also what others think about you guys can also be true that you should probably go and speak with him. Now here what you can do is try bonding with him i mean to say try and be lot of free with him share some secrets topics, though he being your boss you will be little nervous but why not take a few steps then just jumping and telling him. So i think just build some trust be open with him on topics and once you know that its time that you need to tell. Just pop-out to him about your feelings. Iam sure he will feel the same for you too.
@toniganzon (72279)
• Philippines
5 Jul 11
I think you should better keep your mouth shut. You yourself said that whether you tell him or not will not change anything and you cannot date him. First you ask yourself what is your objective in telling him how you feel? You want him to know so you can find out if he feels the same way too? Then what? Men who likes women will not only flirt but would go out of their way to tell her. He's the boss, he's the superior! I'm sure he can handle things just in case he really likes you. I don't think he's shy enough not to tell you the truth if he has something for you. Wait a little longer. YOu don't have to suffer wondering if he does. Just enjoy the flirting as of the moment.
@moneywinner (1864)
• Brazil
19 Jul 11
I would not tell anything about that to him, because I don't think it's worth it. I think is better you to forget about him, still is on the start, so, it's not going to be that hard to do that. This kind of thing only will bring you problems, the best thing to do is wait to see if your boss is going to something about.
• Philippines
4 Jul 11
It doesn't matter if he is your boss or not. The thing here is you are a woman and you shouldn't be too aggressive of what you feel. Just keep your mouth shut for now and don't make any moves. Let him be the one to make the first move if he really likes you too. I hope that you can control yourself.
@jmangila (91)
• Philippines
4 Jul 11
For me, there's nothing wrong if you tell him about your feelings.In fact it's one way of being true to yourself. If you prefer to hide everything then what if your boss do the same thing. Just be true and everything will be fine...
@Rainegurl (2156)
• Philippines
4 Jul 11
I am not very brave when it comes to this kind of thing so I would probably just keep mum about my feelings. At least for now. As you said, he is your boss and while there is really nothing wrong with a frank and outspoken woman, your working relationship just might be affected with the confession. I am also an advocate of women empowerment but in this kind of situation, I say wait until he makes a more advanced move. Cheers!