Asking out an intern at close of internship

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There is an intern at my company who has been there for two months. During this time I've helped her briefly on a few projects and we have talked socially at work a little but mostly worked completely in different departments. She is of the same age as me and will not be staying in the company at the end of the internship. Would it be inappropriate for me to ask her if she would like to get a drink outside of work?







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  • 12




    What is your position at the company? Are you an intern too?
    – XtremeBaumer
    Aug 14 at 6:04






  • 29




    Why are you concerened with this being inappropriate? In what regard? Company policy, society, the fact that she is leaving and you are not, not knowing her well enough, past experiences, something else?
    – Raditz_35
    Aug 14 at 6:25















up vote
37
down vote

favorite
4












There is an intern at my company who has been there for two months. During this time I've helped her briefly on a few projects and we have talked socially at work a little but mostly worked completely in different departments. She is of the same age as me and will not be staying in the company at the end of the internship. Would it be inappropriate for me to ask her if she would like to get a drink outside of work?







share|improve this question


















  • 12




    What is your position at the company? Are you an intern too?
    – XtremeBaumer
    Aug 14 at 6:04






  • 29




    Why are you concerened with this being inappropriate? In what regard? Company policy, society, the fact that she is leaving and you are not, not knowing her well enough, past experiences, something else?
    – Raditz_35
    Aug 14 at 6:25













up vote
37
down vote

favorite
4









up vote
37
down vote

favorite
4






4





There is an intern at my company who has been there for two months. During this time I've helped her briefly on a few projects and we have talked socially at work a little but mostly worked completely in different departments. She is of the same age as me and will not be staying in the company at the end of the internship. Would it be inappropriate for me to ask her if she would like to get a drink outside of work?







share|improve this question














There is an intern at my company who has been there for two months. During this time I've helped her briefly on a few projects and we have talked socially at work a little but mostly worked completely in different departments. She is of the same age as me and will not be staying in the company at the end of the internship. Would it be inappropriate for me to ask her if she would like to get a drink outside of work?









share|improve this question













share|improve this question




share|improve this question








edited Aug 14 at 5:00









A J♦

6,30282845




6,30282845










asked Aug 14 at 4:47









user20910

300123




300123







  • 12




    What is your position at the company? Are you an intern too?
    – XtremeBaumer
    Aug 14 at 6:04






  • 29




    Why are you concerened with this being inappropriate? In what regard? Company policy, society, the fact that she is leaving and you are not, not knowing her well enough, past experiences, something else?
    – Raditz_35
    Aug 14 at 6:25













  • 12




    What is your position at the company? Are you an intern too?
    – XtremeBaumer
    Aug 14 at 6:04






  • 29




    Why are you concerened with this being inappropriate? In what regard? Company policy, society, the fact that she is leaving and you are not, not knowing her well enough, past experiences, something else?
    – Raditz_35
    Aug 14 at 6:25








12




12




What is your position at the company? Are you an intern too?
– XtremeBaumer
Aug 14 at 6:04




What is your position at the company? Are you an intern too?
– XtremeBaumer
Aug 14 at 6:04




29




29




Why are you concerened with this being inappropriate? In what regard? Company policy, society, the fact that she is leaving and you are not, not knowing her well enough, past experiences, something else?
– Raditz_35
Aug 14 at 6:25





Why are you concerened with this being inappropriate? In what regard? Company policy, society, the fact that she is leaving and you are not, not knowing her well enough, past experiences, something else?
– Raditz_35
Aug 14 at 6:25











4 Answers
4






active

oldest

votes

















up vote
40
down vote













There shouldn't be any ethical conflict in asking her out, especially if she's about to leave the company. Ask her out first in a general rather than specific way (for example, "I would love to take you on a date sometime" as opposed to "do you want to have dinner on Thursday?") so that she clearly knows your intentions. That way, if she says no, you'll know it's because she's not interested, rather than because she isn't available on that day, and then there is no miscommunication/confusion about that.



Even if the intern is leaving the company soon, there might be a different power dynamic based on the different roles you had in the organization. So in addition to asking her out, it's very important to give her plenty of room to say no. For example: "I've really enjoyed working with you. This might sound forward, but I would love to see you again. Do you want to go out with me sometime? If not, I'd also be happy to hang out as friends." (Assuming that, for example, you are interested in pursuing a platonic friendship with her.)



Good luck!






share|improve this answer
















  • 45




    The suggested wording sounds a bit odd, and might give someone pause, even if they were interested in going out. Why not just say something like "I'd really like to get to know you better, would you like to go out for dinner sometime?". Given that there's no power dynamic and no other ongoing relationship, if the intern isn't interested, she can "just say no".
    – DaveG
    Aug 14 at 12:00

















up vote
19
down vote













The unethical part may be a thing when there is power or dependency in play (a boss asking out their reports for instance).



In larger companies this is something which is normed a way or another (a female friend of mine married a guy in her organization (he was her n-2) - once they started to date they were split into two organizations so that there is not formal hierarchical relationship and everything was good).



Some companies even encourage making a family with someone else in the company, or having several members of a family apply.



You are in a case where there is no hierarchical relationship between you (which is already easier) and on top of that she is leaving. So no - there is no problem here.



Now that I think of it I know a case where an ex-manager asked their intern out when that intern was leaving (to make sure all relationship has ended). Another happy marriage (at least it was a few years ago when I saw them for the last time).



UPDATE: Another case I recall is my professor at the university who married his student (he was a post-doc at that time and was teaching a group of students she was a member of). I got her as the TA for a course I was getting a few years later after they married.






share|improve this answer





























    up vote
    5
    down vote













    So long as you respect her answer and ask politely there should be no issue with it. I would be honest and tell her it is not work related but you are interested on getting to know her on a personal level, or romantic, etc... your own words.






    share|improve this answer



























      up vote
      5
      down vote













      It's risky asking her at work, particularly if she isn't interested—consider damage control. If you do ask her at work, make sure you don't have an audience.



      Even then I advise against it, because when women are at work, they are hostage to the situation. FWIW this includes working women at their place of work, where you may just be a customer.



      Get her a going-away card



      I would do something different if I were in your shoes. I would get her a basic "Good Luck!" card. They sell them everywhere they sell greeting cards.. Inside the card, put something simple like:




      "HER_NAME, you sure do stand out from the crowd!

      Good luck on your next
      adventure

      — user20910



      PS. https://note.ly/2MizSRV




      *Disclosure: I've never used note.ly, but I assume it allows people to share notes with others using short URLs similar to bit.ly, so to demonstrate this I formatted a fake note.ly URL and linked it to a bit.ly that's linked to note.ly's homepage. Hopefully you get the idea.



      Make sure the note.ly note does something flirty like, suggesting you'd like to take her out, and 'Check one: yes, no, maybe.' The point is, make it fun. And don't forget to include your phone number in the note so she can actually respond!



      Timing the card delivery is probably the hard part. Personally, on her last day, I'd take a half day off, deliver the card just before lunch, then bow out. This is mostly in the theme of "avoid an audience". Make sure it's a face-to-face hand-off, but don't dive deep; I'd say "HER_NAME, I've got to take off early today but I got you a going away card and didn't want to miss you. See you if I see you!" Then leave. Don't stall. Don't hesitate. Don't wait for additional conversation. Just go. As of now, your pieces are in play.



      This solves some problems and does some fun things.



      1. It doesn't put her on the spot at work, which saves everyone a whole
        mess if she isn't interested.


      2. It's a little drama which will drive her crazy till she follows the link, "What?? What is this link?? What is he doing!?!?"


      3. It's ultra memorable. And it might single-handedly reset whatever context/frame she has of you, which at bare minimum you need to catapult out of "coworker-zone" ASAP.


      4. And best of all, it puts the ball in her court. If you hear from her at all after this, game on.


      If she doesn't have a boyfriend and if she's at least 51% into you, I'm pretty sure this approach will at least get you a text. From there it's up to you. Hopefully I'm not too late. :) Good luck!






      share|improve this answer






















      • Side note: FWIW I'm assuming from OP's mention that they are about the same age that there is not a risky power-dynamic, etc. If there is that increases the risk. You always have to tread carefully until you know whether your attention falls on the side of wanted or not wanted!
        – elrobis
        Aug 14 at 19:58










      Your Answer







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      4 Answers
      4






      active

      oldest

      votes








      4 Answers
      4






      active

      oldest

      votes









      active

      oldest

      votes






      active

      oldest

      votes








      up vote
      40
      down vote













      There shouldn't be any ethical conflict in asking her out, especially if she's about to leave the company. Ask her out first in a general rather than specific way (for example, "I would love to take you on a date sometime" as opposed to "do you want to have dinner on Thursday?") so that she clearly knows your intentions. That way, if she says no, you'll know it's because she's not interested, rather than because she isn't available on that day, and then there is no miscommunication/confusion about that.



      Even if the intern is leaving the company soon, there might be a different power dynamic based on the different roles you had in the organization. So in addition to asking her out, it's very important to give her plenty of room to say no. For example: "I've really enjoyed working with you. This might sound forward, but I would love to see you again. Do you want to go out with me sometime? If not, I'd also be happy to hang out as friends." (Assuming that, for example, you are interested in pursuing a platonic friendship with her.)



      Good luck!






      share|improve this answer
















      • 45




        The suggested wording sounds a bit odd, and might give someone pause, even if they were interested in going out. Why not just say something like "I'd really like to get to know you better, would you like to go out for dinner sometime?". Given that there's no power dynamic and no other ongoing relationship, if the intern isn't interested, she can "just say no".
        – DaveG
        Aug 14 at 12:00














      up vote
      40
      down vote













      There shouldn't be any ethical conflict in asking her out, especially if she's about to leave the company. Ask her out first in a general rather than specific way (for example, "I would love to take you on a date sometime" as opposed to "do you want to have dinner on Thursday?") so that she clearly knows your intentions. That way, if she says no, you'll know it's because she's not interested, rather than because she isn't available on that day, and then there is no miscommunication/confusion about that.



      Even if the intern is leaving the company soon, there might be a different power dynamic based on the different roles you had in the organization. So in addition to asking her out, it's very important to give her plenty of room to say no. For example: "I've really enjoyed working with you. This might sound forward, but I would love to see you again. Do you want to go out with me sometime? If not, I'd also be happy to hang out as friends." (Assuming that, for example, you are interested in pursuing a platonic friendship with her.)



      Good luck!






      share|improve this answer
















      • 45




        The suggested wording sounds a bit odd, and might give someone pause, even if they were interested in going out. Why not just say something like "I'd really like to get to know you better, would you like to go out for dinner sometime?". Given that there's no power dynamic and no other ongoing relationship, if the intern isn't interested, she can "just say no".
        – DaveG
        Aug 14 at 12:00












      up vote
      40
      down vote










      up vote
      40
      down vote









      There shouldn't be any ethical conflict in asking her out, especially if she's about to leave the company. Ask her out first in a general rather than specific way (for example, "I would love to take you on a date sometime" as opposed to "do you want to have dinner on Thursday?") so that she clearly knows your intentions. That way, if she says no, you'll know it's because she's not interested, rather than because she isn't available on that day, and then there is no miscommunication/confusion about that.



      Even if the intern is leaving the company soon, there might be a different power dynamic based on the different roles you had in the organization. So in addition to asking her out, it's very important to give her plenty of room to say no. For example: "I've really enjoyed working with you. This might sound forward, but I would love to see you again. Do you want to go out with me sometime? If not, I'd also be happy to hang out as friends." (Assuming that, for example, you are interested in pursuing a platonic friendship with her.)



      Good luck!






      share|improve this answer












      There shouldn't be any ethical conflict in asking her out, especially if she's about to leave the company. Ask her out first in a general rather than specific way (for example, "I would love to take you on a date sometime" as opposed to "do you want to have dinner on Thursday?") so that she clearly knows your intentions. That way, if she says no, you'll know it's because she's not interested, rather than because she isn't available on that day, and then there is no miscommunication/confusion about that.



      Even if the intern is leaving the company soon, there might be a different power dynamic based on the different roles you had in the organization. So in addition to asking her out, it's very important to give her plenty of room to say no. For example: "I've really enjoyed working with you. This might sound forward, but I would love to see you again. Do you want to go out with me sometime? If not, I'd also be happy to hang out as friends." (Assuming that, for example, you are interested in pursuing a platonic friendship with her.)



      Good luck!







      share|improve this answer












      share|improve this answer



      share|improve this answer










      answered Aug 14 at 7:28









      Karen Lowe

      56714




      56714







      • 45




        The suggested wording sounds a bit odd, and might give someone pause, even if they were interested in going out. Why not just say something like "I'd really like to get to know you better, would you like to go out for dinner sometime?". Given that there's no power dynamic and no other ongoing relationship, if the intern isn't interested, she can "just say no".
        – DaveG
        Aug 14 at 12:00












      • 45




        The suggested wording sounds a bit odd, and might give someone pause, even if they were interested in going out. Why not just say something like "I'd really like to get to know you better, would you like to go out for dinner sometime?". Given that there's no power dynamic and no other ongoing relationship, if the intern isn't interested, she can "just say no".
        – DaveG
        Aug 14 at 12:00







      45




      45




      The suggested wording sounds a bit odd, and might give someone pause, even if they were interested in going out. Why not just say something like "I'd really like to get to know you better, would you like to go out for dinner sometime?". Given that there's no power dynamic and no other ongoing relationship, if the intern isn't interested, she can "just say no".
      – DaveG
      Aug 14 at 12:00




      The suggested wording sounds a bit odd, and might give someone pause, even if they were interested in going out. Why not just say something like "I'd really like to get to know you better, would you like to go out for dinner sometime?". Given that there's no power dynamic and no other ongoing relationship, if the intern isn't interested, she can "just say no".
      – DaveG
      Aug 14 at 12:00










      up vote
      19
      down vote













      The unethical part may be a thing when there is power or dependency in play (a boss asking out their reports for instance).



      In larger companies this is something which is normed a way or another (a female friend of mine married a guy in her organization (he was her n-2) - once they started to date they were split into two organizations so that there is not formal hierarchical relationship and everything was good).



      Some companies even encourage making a family with someone else in the company, or having several members of a family apply.



      You are in a case where there is no hierarchical relationship between you (which is already easier) and on top of that she is leaving. So no - there is no problem here.



      Now that I think of it I know a case where an ex-manager asked their intern out when that intern was leaving (to make sure all relationship has ended). Another happy marriage (at least it was a few years ago when I saw them for the last time).



      UPDATE: Another case I recall is my professor at the university who married his student (he was a post-doc at that time and was teaching a group of students she was a member of). I got her as the TA for a course I was getting a few years later after they married.






      share|improve this answer


























        up vote
        19
        down vote













        The unethical part may be a thing when there is power or dependency in play (a boss asking out their reports for instance).



        In larger companies this is something which is normed a way or another (a female friend of mine married a guy in her organization (he was her n-2) - once they started to date they were split into two organizations so that there is not formal hierarchical relationship and everything was good).



        Some companies even encourage making a family with someone else in the company, or having several members of a family apply.



        You are in a case where there is no hierarchical relationship between you (which is already easier) and on top of that she is leaving. So no - there is no problem here.



        Now that I think of it I know a case where an ex-manager asked their intern out when that intern was leaving (to make sure all relationship has ended). Another happy marriage (at least it was a few years ago when I saw them for the last time).



        UPDATE: Another case I recall is my professor at the university who married his student (he was a post-doc at that time and was teaching a group of students she was a member of). I got her as the TA for a course I was getting a few years later after they married.






        share|improve this answer
























          up vote
          19
          down vote










          up vote
          19
          down vote









          The unethical part may be a thing when there is power or dependency in play (a boss asking out their reports for instance).



          In larger companies this is something which is normed a way or another (a female friend of mine married a guy in her organization (he was her n-2) - once they started to date they were split into two organizations so that there is not formal hierarchical relationship and everything was good).



          Some companies even encourage making a family with someone else in the company, or having several members of a family apply.



          You are in a case where there is no hierarchical relationship between you (which is already easier) and on top of that she is leaving. So no - there is no problem here.



          Now that I think of it I know a case where an ex-manager asked their intern out when that intern was leaving (to make sure all relationship has ended). Another happy marriage (at least it was a few years ago when I saw them for the last time).



          UPDATE: Another case I recall is my professor at the university who married his student (he was a post-doc at that time and was teaching a group of students she was a member of). I got her as the TA for a course I was getting a few years later after they married.






          share|improve this answer














          The unethical part may be a thing when there is power or dependency in play (a boss asking out their reports for instance).



          In larger companies this is something which is normed a way or another (a female friend of mine married a guy in her organization (he was her n-2) - once they started to date they were split into two organizations so that there is not formal hierarchical relationship and everything was good).



          Some companies even encourage making a family with someone else in the company, or having several members of a family apply.



          You are in a case where there is no hierarchical relationship between you (which is already easier) and on top of that she is leaving. So no - there is no problem here.



          Now that I think of it I know a case where an ex-manager asked their intern out when that intern was leaving (to make sure all relationship has ended). Another happy marriage (at least it was a few years ago when I saw them for the last time).



          UPDATE: Another case I recall is my professor at the university who married his student (he was a post-doc at that time and was teaching a group of students she was a member of). I got her as the TA for a course I was getting a few years later after they married.







          share|improve this answer














          share|improve this answer



          share|improve this answer








          edited Aug 17 at 18:31

























          answered Aug 14 at 11:20









          WoJ

          1,846415




          1,846415




















              up vote
              5
              down vote













              So long as you respect her answer and ask politely there should be no issue with it. I would be honest and tell her it is not work related but you are interested on getting to know her on a personal level, or romantic, etc... your own words.






              share|improve this answer
























                up vote
                5
                down vote













                So long as you respect her answer and ask politely there should be no issue with it. I would be honest and tell her it is not work related but you are interested on getting to know her on a personal level, or romantic, etc... your own words.






                share|improve this answer






















                  up vote
                  5
                  down vote










                  up vote
                  5
                  down vote









                  So long as you respect her answer and ask politely there should be no issue with it. I would be honest and tell her it is not work related but you are interested on getting to know her on a personal level, or romantic, etc... your own words.






                  share|improve this answer












                  So long as you respect her answer and ask politely there should be no issue with it. I would be honest and tell her it is not work related but you are interested on getting to know her on a personal level, or romantic, etc... your own words.







                  share|improve this answer












                  share|improve this answer



                  share|improve this answer










                  answered Aug 14 at 5:00









                  mutt

                  2694




                  2694




















                      up vote
                      5
                      down vote













                      It's risky asking her at work, particularly if she isn't interested—consider damage control. If you do ask her at work, make sure you don't have an audience.



                      Even then I advise against it, because when women are at work, they are hostage to the situation. FWIW this includes working women at their place of work, where you may just be a customer.



                      Get her a going-away card



                      I would do something different if I were in your shoes. I would get her a basic "Good Luck!" card. They sell them everywhere they sell greeting cards.. Inside the card, put something simple like:




                      "HER_NAME, you sure do stand out from the crowd!

                      Good luck on your next
                      adventure

                      — user20910



                      PS. https://note.ly/2MizSRV




                      *Disclosure: I've never used note.ly, but I assume it allows people to share notes with others using short URLs similar to bit.ly, so to demonstrate this I formatted a fake note.ly URL and linked it to a bit.ly that's linked to note.ly's homepage. Hopefully you get the idea.



                      Make sure the note.ly note does something flirty like, suggesting you'd like to take her out, and 'Check one: yes, no, maybe.' The point is, make it fun. And don't forget to include your phone number in the note so she can actually respond!



                      Timing the card delivery is probably the hard part. Personally, on her last day, I'd take a half day off, deliver the card just before lunch, then bow out. This is mostly in the theme of "avoid an audience". Make sure it's a face-to-face hand-off, but don't dive deep; I'd say "HER_NAME, I've got to take off early today but I got you a going away card and didn't want to miss you. See you if I see you!" Then leave. Don't stall. Don't hesitate. Don't wait for additional conversation. Just go. As of now, your pieces are in play.



                      This solves some problems and does some fun things.



                      1. It doesn't put her on the spot at work, which saves everyone a whole
                        mess if she isn't interested.


                      2. It's a little drama which will drive her crazy till she follows the link, "What?? What is this link?? What is he doing!?!?"


                      3. It's ultra memorable. And it might single-handedly reset whatever context/frame she has of you, which at bare minimum you need to catapult out of "coworker-zone" ASAP.


                      4. And best of all, it puts the ball in her court. If you hear from her at all after this, game on.


                      If she doesn't have a boyfriend and if she's at least 51% into you, I'm pretty sure this approach will at least get you a text. From there it's up to you. Hopefully I'm not too late. :) Good luck!






                      share|improve this answer






















                      • Side note: FWIW I'm assuming from OP's mention that they are about the same age that there is not a risky power-dynamic, etc. If there is that increases the risk. You always have to tread carefully until you know whether your attention falls on the side of wanted or not wanted!
                        – elrobis
                        Aug 14 at 19:58














                      up vote
                      5
                      down vote













                      It's risky asking her at work, particularly if she isn't interested—consider damage control. If you do ask her at work, make sure you don't have an audience.



                      Even then I advise against it, because when women are at work, they are hostage to the situation. FWIW this includes working women at their place of work, where you may just be a customer.



                      Get her a going-away card



                      I would do something different if I were in your shoes. I would get her a basic "Good Luck!" card. They sell them everywhere they sell greeting cards.. Inside the card, put something simple like:




                      "HER_NAME, you sure do stand out from the crowd!

                      Good luck on your next
                      adventure

                      — user20910



                      PS. https://note.ly/2MizSRV




                      *Disclosure: I've never used note.ly, but I assume it allows people to share notes with others using short URLs similar to bit.ly, so to demonstrate this I formatted a fake note.ly URL and linked it to a bit.ly that's linked to note.ly's homepage. Hopefully you get the idea.



                      Make sure the note.ly note does something flirty like, suggesting you'd like to take her out, and 'Check one: yes, no, maybe.' The point is, make it fun. And don't forget to include your phone number in the note so she can actually respond!



                      Timing the card delivery is probably the hard part. Personally, on her last day, I'd take a half day off, deliver the card just before lunch, then bow out. This is mostly in the theme of "avoid an audience". Make sure it's a face-to-face hand-off, but don't dive deep; I'd say "HER_NAME, I've got to take off early today but I got you a going away card and didn't want to miss you. See you if I see you!" Then leave. Don't stall. Don't hesitate. Don't wait for additional conversation. Just go. As of now, your pieces are in play.



                      This solves some problems and does some fun things.



                      1. It doesn't put her on the spot at work, which saves everyone a whole
                        mess if she isn't interested.


                      2. It's a little drama which will drive her crazy till she follows the link, "What?? What is this link?? What is he doing!?!?"


                      3. It's ultra memorable. And it might single-handedly reset whatever context/frame she has of you, which at bare minimum you need to catapult out of "coworker-zone" ASAP.


                      4. And best of all, it puts the ball in her court. If you hear from her at all after this, game on.


                      If she doesn't have a boyfriend and if she's at least 51% into you, I'm pretty sure this approach will at least get you a text. From there it's up to you. Hopefully I'm not too late. :) Good luck!






                      share|improve this answer






















                      • Side note: FWIW I'm assuming from OP's mention that they are about the same age that there is not a risky power-dynamic, etc. If there is that increases the risk. You always have to tread carefully until you know whether your attention falls on the side of wanted or not wanted!
                        – elrobis
                        Aug 14 at 19:58












                      up vote
                      5
                      down vote










                      up vote
                      5
                      down vote









                      It's risky asking her at work, particularly if she isn't interested—consider damage control. If you do ask her at work, make sure you don't have an audience.



                      Even then I advise against it, because when women are at work, they are hostage to the situation. FWIW this includes working women at their place of work, where you may just be a customer.



                      Get her a going-away card



                      I would do something different if I were in your shoes. I would get her a basic "Good Luck!" card. They sell them everywhere they sell greeting cards.. Inside the card, put something simple like:




                      "HER_NAME, you sure do stand out from the crowd!

                      Good luck on your next
                      adventure

                      — user20910



                      PS. https://note.ly/2MizSRV




                      *Disclosure: I've never used note.ly, but I assume it allows people to share notes with others using short URLs similar to bit.ly, so to demonstrate this I formatted a fake note.ly URL and linked it to a bit.ly that's linked to note.ly's homepage. Hopefully you get the idea.



                      Make sure the note.ly note does something flirty like, suggesting you'd like to take her out, and 'Check one: yes, no, maybe.' The point is, make it fun. And don't forget to include your phone number in the note so she can actually respond!



                      Timing the card delivery is probably the hard part. Personally, on her last day, I'd take a half day off, deliver the card just before lunch, then bow out. This is mostly in the theme of "avoid an audience". Make sure it's a face-to-face hand-off, but don't dive deep; I'd say "HER_NAME, I've got to take off early today but I got you a going away card and didn't want to miss you. See you if I see you!" Then leave. Don't stall. Don't hesitate. Don't wait for additional conversation. Just go. As of now, your pieces are in play.



                      This solves some problems and does some fun things.



                      1. It doesn't put her on the spot at work, which saves everyone a whole
                        mess if she isn't interested.


                      2. It's a little drama which will drive her crazy till she follows the link, "What?? What is this link?? What is he doing!?!?"


                      3. It's ultra memorable. And it might single-handedly reset whatever context/frame she has of you, which at bare minimum you need to catapult out of "coworker-zone" ASAP.


                      4. And best of all, it puts the ball in her court. If you hear from her at all after this, game on.


                      If she doesn't have a boyfriend and if she's at least 51% into you, I'm pretty sure this approach will at least get you a text. From there it's up to you. Hopefully I'm not too late. :) Good luck!






                      share|improve this answer














                      It's risky asking her at work, particularly if she isn't interested—consider damage control. If you do ask her at work, make sure you don't have an audience.



                      Even then I advise against it, because when women are at work, they are hostage to the situation. FWIW this includes working women at their place of work, where you may just be a customer.



                      Get her a going-away card



                      I would do something different if I were in your shoes. I would get her a basic "Good Luck!" card. They sell them everywhere they sell greeting cards.. Inside the card, put something simple like:




                      "HER_NAME, you sure do stand out from the crowd!

                      Good luck on your next
                      adventure

                      — user20910



                      PS. https://note.ly/2MizSRV




                      *Disclosure: I've never used note.ly, but I assume it allows people to share notes with others using short URLs similar to bit.ly, so to demonstrate this I formatted a fake note.ly URL and linked it to a bit.ly that's linked to note.ly's homepage. Hopefully you get the idea.



                      Make sure the note.ly note does something flirty like, suggesting you'd like to take her out, and 'Check one: yes, no, maybe.' The point is, make it fun. And don't forget to include your phone number in the note so she can actually respond!



                      Timing the card delivery is probably the hard part. Personally, on her last day, I'd take a half day off, deliver the card just before lunch, then bow out. This is mostly in the theme of "avoid an audience". Make sure it's a face-to-face hand-off, but don't dive deep; I'd say "HER_NAME, I've got to take off early today but I got you a going away card and didn't want to miss you. See you if I see you!" Then leave. Don't stall. Don't hesitate. Don't wait for additional conversation. Just go. As of now, your pieces are in play.



                      This solves some problems and does some fun things.



                      1. It doesn't put her on the spot at work, which saves everyone a whole
                        mess if she isn't interested.


                      2. It's a little drama which will drive her crazy till she follows the link, "What?? What is this link?? What is he doing!?!?"


                      3. It's ultra memorable. And it might single-handedly reset whatever context/frame she has of you, which at bare minimum you need to catapult out of "coworker-zone" ASAP.


                      4. And best of all, it puts the ball in her court. If you hear from her at all after this, game on.


                      If she doesn't have a boyfriend and if she's at least 51% into you, I'm pretty sure this approach will at least get you a text. From there it's up to you. Hopefully I'm not too late. :) Good luck!







                      share|improve this answer














                      share|improve this answer



                      share|improve this answer








                      edited Aug 14 at 20:19

























                      answered Aug 14 at 19:55









                      elrobis

                      47116




                      47116











                      • Side note: FWIW I'm assuming from OP's mention that they are about the same age that there is not a risky power-dynamic, etc. If there is that increases the risk. You always have to tread carefully until you know whether your attention falls on the side of wanted or not wanted!
                        – elrobis
                        Aug 14 at 19:58
















                      • Side note: FWIW I'm assuming from OP's mention that they are about the same age that there is not a risky power-dynamic, etc. If there is that increases the risk. You always have to tread carefully until you know whether your attention falls on the side of wanted or not wanted!
                        – elrobis
                        Aug 14 at 19:58















                      Side note: FWIW I'm assuming from OP's mention that they are about the same age that there is not a risky power-dynamic, etc. If there is that increases the risk. You always have to tread carefully until you know whether your attention falls on the side of wanted or not wanted!
                      – elrobis
                      Aug 14 at 19:58




                      Side note: FWIW I'm assuming from OP's mention that they are about the same age that there is not a risky power-dynamic, etc. If there is that increases the risk. You always have to tread carefully until you know whether your attention falls on the side of wanted or not wanted!
                      – elrobis
                      Aug 14 at 19:58

















                       

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