Love, Self

10 Flirty Things To Say To The Coworker You're TOTALLY Crushing On

Photo: WeHeartIt
couple flirting at the office

Crushes, in general, can be a nail-biting emotional roller coaster, but when you're crushing on someone you have to see every work day, things can get a bit awkward. On the plus side, you get to see them every day. Down side? You have to see them every day.

With frequent opportunities for interaction, how do you manage to keep your foot out of your mouth? There's a fine line between flirting and sexual harassment so make sure what you're saying doesn't make your crush uncomfortable — the potential for embarrassment and legal repercussions is high.

Inspired by this list of what NOT to say to a work crush, here are a few conversation starters that might help you navigate the minefield of potential social gaffes and maybe even score a first date.

1. "Good morning! How are you?"

This is incredibly mundane, yes, but common courtesy goes a long way. Your crush will appreciate a bright start to his/her day. If you don't work closely with your crush, simply saying hello is a good way to move into more extensive conversations down the line.

2. "What do you have planned this weekend?"

A great conversation starter, this can show your interest in their life outside the office. It's also a good way to search for commonalities that may lead to an invitation to join in on future weekend activities.  

3.  "Come here often?"

Flirtation in the form of a humorous quip at the water cooler can score you some major points. People are drawn to positive attitudes, so if you can crack a joke and bring a smile to your crush's face, you will definitely be leaving a good impression.

4.  "I'm going out for some coffee, would you like some?"

Offering to pick something up for your crush shows how considerate and generous you are. Who knows, they might even decide that a break is in order and join you for the short trip.

5. "What projects are you working on right now?"

Showing interest in what your crush actually does at work is a good start to building rapport. The more you know about them, the more commonalities you can share and the greater your potential for conversations that can lead to topics other than work.

6. "Want to join a bunch of us for happy hour?"

A casual invitation to a group outing shows that you are sociable. This will also give you an opportunity to get to know each other outside of the work environment in a friendly atmosphere surrounded by co-workers who can act as buffers if the conversation lulls.

7. "Wanna grab lunch?"

Lunch is a daily opportunity for you to spend quality time together during the work day. If your crush repeatedly rejects your offer, that's your cue to keep your emotions in check; if your innocuous invitation is accepted, you might want to look into your company's workplace dating policy.

8. "Nice job on …"

Compliments are always welcome, especially for something that they worked hard on. Additionally, it shows your crush that you have been paying close attention to them at all those staff meetings.

9. "If you don't mind, can you help me with …"

Asking for someone's help indicates that you find this person knowledgeable or experienced in a certain area — it's very flattering. So if you've been complimenting their work, take it up a step by having them lend their expertise to what you're working on. Who knows, you might become so engrossed in the project that it's just you two by the end of the day, providing you with the perfect opportunity to ask them …

10. "Would you be interested in joining me for …?"

Dinner, a movie, a concert … name an event! If your crush has been joining you for coffee, lunch, happy hour, and spending the time to help you with your work, maybe you should just find the courage to ask them out on a date already.