(Image source from: Canva.com)
Office relationships are quite typical, but in India, they seem to be especially common. A new worldwide survey by Ashley Madison, a site for discreet connections, reveals that India holds the second position for people admitting to having engaged in or currently being involved in a workplace romance. This research was done with YouGov in 11 different countries. Mexico is at the top of the list. The survey included 11 nations: Australia, Brazil, Canada, Germany, India, Italy, Mexico, Spain, Switzerland, the UK, and the US, with a total of 13,581 adult participants. The information shows that workplace romances are not that unusual in India, even though workplaces are becoming more mindful of rules regarding professional limits and behavior. The study indicates that four out of ten Indians from the general population have either dated or are presently dating someone they work with.
In Mexico, 43 percent of those surveyed stated they have been romantically linked to a coworker, while 40 percent of respondents in India reported the same situation. This number is significantly higher compared to countries such as the US, UK, and Canada, where the rate is 30 percent. Notably, men are more inclined than women to have had a romantic relationship with a colleague, with 51 percent of men and 36 percent of women admitting to it, which hints at a possible difference in risk-taking behavior regarding office romance. Additionally, women seem to tread more carefully about the potential consequences of mixing work and personal life. Almost 29 percent of women express that they are dissuaded from engaging in workplace romances due to potential job-related problems, which is slightly more than the 27 percent of men who feel similarly. Conversely, men tend to focus more on personal outcomes, with 30 percent indicating it as a reason for hesitation versus 26 percent of women.
The results also show a change in attitudes across generations. Younger employees aged 18 to 24 are the most careful regarding office relationships, with 34 percent mentioning concern about how such connections might affect their job prospects. India’s second place in the realm of office romances ties in with the increasing acceptance of alternative relationship styles, like open marriages. A survey by Gleeden, a dating application aimed at those seeking affairs outside their marriage, found that 35 percent of Indians are in an open relationship, while 41 percent expressed willingness to consider one if their partner proposed it. Interestingly, this trend is not restricted to big cities, as smaller towns are displaying similar behaviors. Topping the list is Kanchipuram, which shows the highest interest in extramarital affairs in India.
