Better TV, NYC
Recently David Letterman’s workplace romances caused many people to consider whether office affairs are worth it. Tiger Woods is also reconsidering some of his recent actions. I was invited to speak about the topic on Meredith Corp. program Better, in New York City and on KDKA-TV in Pittsburgh; you can get more information at the following links:
- Dr. Nancy discusses Romance in the Work Place (Video: Better.TV)
- The Influence of Television in Everyday Life (Video: KDKA)
Consider the following points about the topic and decide for yourself!
Why are celebrities set up for relationship problems?
- Idealistic world created by celebrities for viewers caught up in it
- Expect life to always be that glamorous
- Expectation is that they will receive the kind of attention that they play out on the screen
- Large fan base that increases importance
What are the effects of These Set-Ups?
- Romance is idealized and so both stars and viewers get an unrealistic idea about love!
- They want their life to live up to what they play and see on the screen
What do celebrity relationships fall apart?
Ego and Opportunity
Ego points
- Stars are waited on hand and foot
- Nothing is beyond their reach financially
- Large fan base
- Result is that their sense of personal importance is large
Opportunity points
- Other celebrities are attractive and available – Proximity
- Work in close contact (love scenes) and become friends and support system for each other when away from family
- Get offers, propositions
- Sometime act out of loneliness or exhaustion, and lean on those close by
- Similar to an office romance (Letterman)
Celebrities after a certain point don’t need to get married
- Still stars, we still buy their records
- Can have a relationship long term without marriage (Oprah, Brad/Angie, Goldie/Kurt)
- Too much to lose financially with a divorce
How does this apply to anyone in a work environment considering an office romance?
- The same ego and opportunity principles apply People become local or company celebrities.
What to do about making such a decision?
- Consider the company’s rules; Where there are rules there are repercussions
- Company’s interest is the smooth flow of business, not the romance and their goals are to keep business moving smoothly without interruption
- Results may be a transfer to a different department or a move to a new company, or even more specific repercussions as outlines by company policies.