I dont believe office romance is an real love!!!
Let me share my experience, when I was work with advertising company, my female friend was jealous at me because our boss suddenly gave attention to me. My boss always called me to help him to accomplish his proposal and beside he also taught me how to think strategically! And how my female friend take our boss's attention? She always bring lunch for our boss though our boss not need it. And also she doesn't leave the office before our boss left first. I believe my female friend wants to dominate in our office. And there was a male friend, I tell his name is Silly Boy, because he is unsure with his job. So my female friend used him to attack me. In this office actually, our boss had set up the rules that everyone have their own clients. Then Silly Boy came to me and he wants to supervising my job. So I told him that he must ask to our boss according this supervision. But....wow.....suddenly Silly Boy shout on me and hit the table. And Silly Boy threat me with abusing my religion. The funny is.....the following days, our boss asked me to ask apologize to Silly Boy. For what reason? I dont make mistake in this case! But my boss said because Silly Boy and my female were majority community in my country. So?????
Yes, finally Silly Boy and my female friend were married each other!
But my point, I dont agree with her way to dominate the office.
I suggest to people who wants to be popular in the office, just show up themselves to public. No need to make threat in the office! Office have their own goal to achieve business goal. Not personal goal!
If someone wants to be thoughtful and bright, just feed himself with books, literatures, share ideas with colleagues, attending seminar, join clubs. Threat in the office = unhealthy manner! Office romance = unhealthy manner! I dont ask our boss to fired them! But in fact, he should talk with both my female friend and Silly Boy. And I believe husband and wife in the same office is unhealthy condition! The best thing husband and wife are working in the same core business but different office! That is healthy relationship and healthy management!

well, sometimes a little office romance can be your expression showing your passion to someone, it may not be necessarily flirting. 'she' may make you want to be a better man, so that encourage you to work harder.

Mizro~~~

As a young man, I worked for a successful person who owned a couple of companies including a restaurant. One day at lunch, I noticed how great looking the women were who worked as his downtown location.

I made a comment on how much action this guy must get and he looked me in the eye and said " don't get your meat were you get your bread ".

That was over 25 years ago and those words have stuck in my mind and made more sense each year. I have never seen an office romance work to the benefit of the employee or employer and when it started happening on The Apprentice I knew the end was near for the 'happy couple'.

Thanks again for a great season of The Apprentice.

Mitch Drew
Vancouver, Canada
mitch@beckbc.com
BLOG: http://mitch-blogspot.com

Female energy, wether in man or woman is like dragon. If You fight with her, she will burn you, if you accept her, she will take you to final liberation. A man/woman will have as many romances on job as long he/she will not accept his/her inner female energy. Once accepted, there is no need for this. Logical male side and intuitive female side become One. No need for *outher* searching and changing bodies.(Or should I say, mirrors).

Ina Matijevic***
http://omom-ina.blogspot.com

This is certainly an interesting topic. There is good, and bad in office romance. I don't blame you for getting involved in an office romance if you spend 5 days per week, 8-9 hours per day at the office. Howevre, as professionals, we must think with our heads and not with our genitals.

My experience has been, (regarding romance in the workplace):
As follows . . . . . . .

It can make the workplace an exhillarating environment, especially for the male participant! (I can't speak for the women). The experience of the romance will be whatever you make of it, I suppose, from casual to very serious; even [common law] marriage in one case I was aware of socially in Dade County, Florida. The two individuals went about their personal business, (and personal lives) very separately, judiciously, and discretely.

My advice is: "Don't start an Affair, if your priorty is to keep the job!!!!!!!"

I would also NOT recommend starting something frivolously, unless there is a lead to another place of employment, or you intend to leave anyway. the two individuals went about their personal busines very slowly and discretely.

I once saw an episode of Law & Order in which a detective accused a senatorial candidate of have an affair with an intern that went missing and turned up dead (sound familiar). The candidate looked right at the detective and said "I don't dip my pen in company ink." Good advice, for both men and women. I may have laughed at the comment when I first heard it, but I still remember it years after seeing the episode and still think it is a sound philosophy. Recently, Sean Yazbeck posted a blog here about office romances and asked his readers to comment on the difference in the risks for men and women. My response can be found at http://360.yahoo.com/airplane_country along with several other interesting blogs.

We live in a day and age where strangely enough, many singles meet thier future life partner at work. I have yet to hear of it working in the long run. Usually one leaves the work place or they both leave by means of the old "heave ho!" While it was nice to see romance blossom on "The Apprentice", I'm sure anyone who watched from the perspective of "been there...done that", knew deep within what the outcome was going to be. It made for great TV, but lousy business. And yes, I write all of this having "been there...done that!" The lesson learned came at a great price.

James C. Tanner
www.silent-wonder.com

True love is what it is and nothing can stop a person from feeling it. On the other hand, an employer entrusts his/her staff to add value to the business. This may have something to do with the fact that these people are going to work and not to a dating service. If a relationship interferes with the job, it is time for one (or both) of the people involved to find work elsewhere - whether in a different department or organization.

Another great article and words of advise.
Your article Mr. Trump reminds me of when I was in the police academy back in 1989. Police academies in some respects are like the show The Apprentice. In the academy, you are in a high stress, fast paced school, where you had to prove yourself in every task with no second chances or be fired.
Though I found myself attracted to one of the female officer’s I chose to set aside any feelings that I had, for I knew this was not the time for any distractions.
This is what Tim and Nicole should have done, in fact I remember Nicole’s mother telling her she needs to stick with the task at hand.
If Tim and Nicole would have taken this advise and waited until after their assignments had concluded, their teammates and yourself would have respected the fact that even though there was romance in the air, they knew how to stay focused and put their feeling aside for the time being.
PAUL E PHILLIPS
memorymaker4u.com

Wow what a subject it is not easy. Do you thnink it is real love if it is okay but if it is not do not.
Justin
seedubai.blogspot.com

They looked ridiculous. Neither of them were bound to win anyway, that laughable romance or whatever you choose to call it just made them look a little dumber than they were.

You know a person cannot be 100% loyal to their job if they let office crushes ruin their ability to work effectively.

Sean on the other hand did it with dignity and style and class. He didn't let it interfere with his loyalty to the Trump Organization. Try and figure that one out!

about Tim, if during the Apprentice his performance was affected by romance and the sensitief loyalty*s between team and romance, weell,
as much I love the happy ends, hope for them that in the real life will go further as family, inviting the whole Apprentice and NBC team at a beautyfull wedding, soo nice!! :)
To they*re decisions in life we give them fine respect no matter what,
Daniela

Professionalism, integrity, and work ethic are all three concepts that are opposite of office romance. The office space needs to be a safe place for all employees both men and women. This means that people should have the expectation of not being romantically or physically challenged in the office especially if they are married. By this I mean that both men and women need to avoid enticing and entangling fellow employees in complex relationships. Respect for an employee's previous commitments and choices is an essential for good employment.
I also think all three of the above ethics of the office are violated when an office romance occurs and is pursued on office time. An employer has the expectation of an employee giving his employer a full hour of attention and labor every hour for which he/she is employed. An employer does not pay someone to conduct personal business while working. I sympathize with those who find emotional connections at work especially in this world where there is a significant amount of loneliness. However, I think that seeking a significant connection with an fellow employee needs to happen off the worksite but true openness with one's immediate supervisor also needs to occur. Further, an unequal relationship (i.e. with someone who has less "power" in the workplace) is unethical and can easily be construed as sexual harassment regardless of who began the relationship. On the recent apprentice, it would have been good for Mr. Trump to clarify early on to both parties that pursuing a romantic interest was not a wise choice on the apprentice. I personally thought their relationship was a distraction to the rest of teams.

Well Mr Trump has done it again and hit the nail right on the head.

Talking of which I have devised my very own idea to stop me slowing my own high flying career by indulging in "office romance"... simply indulge in some "quality time" whenever the urge takes you. Difficult to do in the office environment, I admit, but I find that thinking of Margaret Thatcher helps.

I tell you, the more those silly office romances spring up, the more the rumors start to fly. At the office, and in business you must be able to control your emotions and curb your interest in seeking a "working" relationship, chances are - the romance will fizzle before it starts.

Dear Mr. Trump:

I think you did the right thing in firing Tim and Nicole for their "office romance." If you had hired one of them, either the romance or the Trump Organization was going to suffer, and I certainly wouldn't want it to be the latter.

That's not to say that office romances shouldn't take place. Unlike some others, I think this one could go down the aisle. And that would be reward enough for both of them.

There are rewards in the workplace other than advancement, and it might have made sense for Tim and Nicole to seek them out. But in so doing, they had both basically taken themselves out of conteion for the Apprentice. They weren't in the final two (and I was surprised that Nicole made it to the final four due to the last minute weaknes of Heidi and Kristine). Your firing them kept them honest by showing them what the true cost of their relationship was.

I enjoyed dialoging with you briefly at the PBS taping January 31, 2007. It will be a day for me to remember.

Sincerely yours,

Tom Au

It is difficult to not have feelings one way or the other with people that you work with, but you must remember when you are there 'it's just business'. I know how hard it can be, I met someone I felt was my soul mate while in a position at a luxury car importing firm. I reported to the two co-owners, yet also was to provide support to the higher level sales staff (Vice Presidents). While nothing went on, I just had lunch with one of the VP's on a regular basis, sales did increase there was gossip and pettiness among the underlings. Like puppies nippin' at my heels they kept at it until it became uncomfortable enough I left the firm when one of them managed to convince one of my bosses there must be impropriety going on and he mentioned it to me. He told me he didn't think there was anything going on, but someone had brought it to his attention. The other co-President told me he heard that also but it didn't bother him he thought I had a great future with the company. I realized that the little puppies with their tongues and tails wagging were trying to get the two Presidents to fight with each other over it. I made a business decision to leave there and focus on my career. I also let Mr. Soulmate know if he wanted to pursue something on a personal level (after I left there) we could see where that led, but I would not let it effect my job or career. He chose not to so there was no big romance after all.

Office Romance 101

Though Mr. Trump makes a strong case, there's nothing wrong with a little flirting by the copier, nor heading out to Chotchkie's after work for some beer and extreme fajitas with your favorite underling (after all, as the Ferengi Rules of Acquisiton state: it never hurts to suck up to the boss). Just keep your office romance outta the supply room lest you find Post Its stuck to some inappropriate places!

Bill Benway, Publisher
http://www.sexgunsandmotorcycles.com

How about, Miss Moneypenny and 007 ;)

Office Romances almost killed my future!
I remembered the days when I was doing sales.. And there was a girl who is so attractive... And we look like an item in the eyes of our colleagues! Eventually, we fell in love for each other... And like Mr Trump said, my pleasure has got onto my career... We got ourselves into a rocky relationship later on and I couldn't concentrate in my work...
I promised myself not to mix love with my business I am doing now... Don't ever think of ****ting in my own future! **** outside! :)

Charles
Singapore
Email: <a href=mailto://charles@charleslau.com>charles@charleslau.com</a>
Blog: <a href=http://charlesbizlessons.blogspot.com/>http://charlesbizlessons.bl...

Love, Love, Love ..Love is everywhere, including at the office !.

I do concurr that 'relationships' should not be maintained or flourished at the office, like a 'long personal call' or 'an international call, at office expense'.. it has to be dealt with integrity, maturity, ethics, THANK the given opportunity to be close (but at a distance !), to 'check' behaviours, attitudes, the opportunity to pass a short note to your prospective wife-to-be, and I stress this, because, at all instances, 'office romance' is not to play games !

So... it happens that you met this wonderful opposite sex person and you want to invite her or him for a cup of coffee .,. no harm done, build-up team work, but ... then, again, I repeat, this is for professional, adult and loyal employees..

There is no sin in falling in love !. True...some companies do have that policy.. as the one to have only one member of a given family in the same office... discernment, decision-making, smart thinking...respect for others... when you are working: work... when clock hit 5:00 p.m. - it is your life !.. Companies do not pay for 'personal time', not even your mother 'has to approve' a personal relationship !, and again, after company hours, in your own personal time !

Anyhow... when there is LOVE in the air... nobody can deny it ! - eye contact, half smiles, giggles....are evident even to children !- who are you going to fool ?

Tim + Nicole, by the way, did not have an "office romance" (legally speaking), it was a non-expected turn only after the shuffle - and it was too late already they have fallen in love !.

Nicole was 'smithen' when she saw Tim at the Piano... If I had been her, I would too !. SERENADE by Moonlight or SunDown ! Wuau !!... and... he is such a humble, sweet and gentle, although intelligent man !.. He is smarter than anyone - he chose Love, and a wife, and a Family, as did Nicole ! Nicole was 'house hunting' the minute the airplane landed in her home town (or maybe made some calls while on the plane ?)..and.. I bet Tim and Nicole had already had a decision-making private and intimate conversation of who would be relocating !, which, due to Tim's Coaching he could do anywhere ! - Good for you !

They were definite making the 'show' as Apprentice Hopefuls on that final week !.., but they didn't fool me ! Using their own interview: her goal was FAMILY (#1), then finances .. Using his, I quote: 'If you end up in a satisfying, lucrative career that allows ample time for family and friends, you've won. Obviously I'd like to "love what I do," but not at the cost of time with the important people " FAMILY !, they both had the same life goal, and... in order to make a Family, you need Love to make babies !! (well, not really, but...preferred and more fun !).

And.. by the way...ALL of you, including the couple in question, handled this issue with tack and professionalism, sticking with the problem and showing that which everyone knows: Love is Everywhere - in the Streets, in the Office, and in The Apprentice 6! It is only logical, people are at the office 40 h/wk, at The Mansion, they were living 24/7, Girls & Boys together, working as a team, strategizing, collaborating.. Well .. for Tim + Nicole it was MARRIAGE REHEARSAL 101 !

TIM + Nicole ....Congratulations !.... Thanks to The Apprentice 6 you have found each other and have learned more from each other than any other couple in an 11 weeks relationship.

And... by the way.... the 'faux pax' was not Tim + Nicole, it was that 'alternative relationship, gay-proud apprentice hopeful and womanly-like walking male model, and that rediculous flowery clingy pinkish bathing suit that has to ashame The Apprentice 6 - even in California, USA standards and gay-accepting community !!.

Congrats, again to the couple !.
May you honeymoon in the Dominican Republic !
www.republica-dominicana.org