Pulling the trigger? How to ask out a girl you like at the office

Dear Coleen

I’m a 27-year-old man and I work at a hospital as a receptionist. The wages there are reasonable and I get on well with my colleagues.

I was in a relationship with a girl for a few years but we split up because she said she was wasting her time with me, which really hurt.

A few months ago I started noticing a cute girl in her early 20s who works in the department next to the reception.

She made the first move when she said hello and smiled at me and, since then, whenever we see each other, we say hello. I also made her laugh with a joke once!

I don’t know if she’s single, but I’d love to ask her out for a drink. A close friend told me to go for it.

What should I do?

Coleen says

I think your close friend is right – you should just bite the bullet and ask her. All you have to say is, ‘Do you fancy going for a drink some time?’ If she has a boyfriend she’ll let you know.

Workplace relationships can be tricky – particularly if they end badly and you still have to work with that person.

However, there are advantages, too, in that you already have things in common. In your case, you’ll understand each other’s hours, but you don’t work in the same department or in a close-knit office, so if things didn’t work out it wouldn’t be the end of the world.

And if she is seeing someone or she’s just not interested, don’t let it knock your self-esteem.

You sound like a lovely, intelligent person – and deserve better than your last girlfriend!