• StudSpud The Starchy@aussie.zone
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    4 months ago

    Was just reminded that at my previous job, the 33f supervisor and the 40m appointment setter called each other “work husband/wife”. She has a long-term boyfriend, and he is married to his husband…

    I’ve given myself the ick again. I hate those terms. Like, we don’t have to reduce every male/female friendship into “wife/husband”, just with the “work” qualifier.

    Men and women can be friends at the workplace, and it is entirely appropriate to call each other “friends”. My hot take is that “work husband/wife” is gross and inappropriate.

    • TinyBreak@aussie.zone
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      4 months ago

      Fully support this. Its a term that feels like it belongs from an early 2010s buzzfeed list. Gross.

    • bull⚡@aussie.zone
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      4 months ago

      I used to call my boss work dad… his boss was work grandad

      Not quite the same as what you’re talking about but this brought up the memory. I made him a “worlds goodest work dad” mug once.

      • StudSpud The Starchy@aussie.zone
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        4 months ago

        Gross and inappropriate to dismiss male/female platonic friendships, and instead label it “work husband/wife”.

        Especially when both are already in serious relationships. I think I’m just sick of the lie that men and women can’t be friends. Prolly from my own experience of being accused of cheating every time I spoke about work to my ex and mentioned a male colleague, now that I think about it 👀 Why do we have to add romantic undertones to a opposite sex friendship?

        The terms are just weird. Like, it’s not hard to say “my friend from work”, “work friend”, “James/Jessie/Meowth from accounting and I had a nice lunch together”

        • Thornburywitch@aussie.zone
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          4 months ago

          Got some news for you - now it seems that ANY platonic friendship gets sexualised in some people’s minds. For me, I think someone that thinks that way is severely limited by their own expectations that ALL relationships MUST be sexual. And we all know that that just isn’t the case.

          • LowExperience2368@aussie.zone
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            4 months ago

            It’s almost as if people are attracted to everyone they ever meet / talk to.

            I caught up with a friend of the opposite gender a while ago, and these two women sitting next to us asked if we were on a Tinder date.

    • SituationCake@aussie.zone
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      4 months ago

      The term doesn’t imply any sexual relationship. It means they are close colleagues and got each others backs at work, and can safely talk shit about the workplace with each other. I don’t think it’s gross but probably there could be a better term, maybe workplace besties?

      Edit: I will add, that if it’s a manager/team member or some other connection that is leading to favouritism or unfairness in the team that needs to be addressed. But other than that I really wouldn’t care what people like to call their friendships.