office spouse

SPOUSE UP YOUR LIFE!

Need a spouse equivalent at office? Just go ahead and get one! A recent survey suggests that 69 per cent of people admit to having an office spouse to help them deal with work-related problems...

    How would you like it if you had a spouse who would be an eternal support, a punching bag, your agony aunt and your colleague all in one? All this without actually being married. Sounds like a dream, doesn’t it? Fortunately we’re in the 21st century where you could do just about anything and still not look weird. Everyone has a boss who could be a colossal pain in the derriere. In addition to that, we have frustrations at work as well. Interestingly, the concept of ‘office spouse’ seems to be catching up.
    The deal is simple. You and your partner sign the nuptial agreements in the office premises and promise to love each other in sickness or health. Meaning, in the occurrence of a haranguing boss or a cocky colleague, your office spouse will provide you support, be loyal, honest and share a degree of closeness similar to that of a married couple. In a survey that was carried out earlier this year, 69 per cent admitted that they have an office husband or a office wife. Note that you are ‘not’ romantically involved with the person in question here.
    The term office spouse is unmistakably an American term which, like many other things, have been aped by us. It is a phrase coined to describe the new relationship phenomenon that developed as Americans work longer, harder, and in closer proximity with colleagues of the opposite sex. Looks like we’re doing it too! The interesting bit in having a ‘relationship’ in office is that age does not matter. She/he might be 50, 60 or 70 but all that is trivial because your relationship exists only in office.
    Sonali Jain, an IT professional laughs at the thought of an office spouse. “This is downright hilarious but it makes sense to have someone at work who you could share your troubles with,” says Sonali. She hasn’t had an office husband till now but is open to experimentation. “This is interesting. And, I think I will have a go at it just to see what this is all about,” she adds.
    On the other hand, Arjun Nair, a copy writer, confesses about his office spouse. “She is an absolute doll. Every time my boss is breathing down my neck, yelling to get the copy done, she comes and stands beside me. It’s understood that she is there just so that I have someone to unleash my verbal diarrhoea on,” grins Arjun. He also goes onto add that having an office spouse does not mean that there is romance involved. “I have a girlfriend outside work who is a source of great support. Still, you need someone who knows the working of the company and the frustrations of working for some people who both of you mutually consider as idiots,” says Arjun.
    However, non-believers exist too. Vishal Ghosh thinks the concept is extremely misleading and could lead to complications. “It can get really dicey if you start sharing everything with someone at work. Especially when you’re engaged/married or you’re even seeing someone,” he says. Vishal also mentions a possibility of jealousy where the ‘real’ spouse is concerned.
    True that, but if you’re an adult and can handle your office spouse and the relationship, then we can assure you that this is a match made in heaven!

Concept of ‘office spouse’ seems to be catching up now