Office conversations can take a swift turn from professional to personal, even without you actually knowing it. Sure, you might have a strict or super informal behavior with most of your colleagues, but there's always that one work wife or hubby with whom you share all of the intricate details of your personal life with. When you’re having those ‘informal talks’ during working hours, it’s important to remember that you two are still on office property and others might not take too kindly for such ‘off-brand’ discussions.

Mimi Thian/Unsplash | Office conversations can take a swift turn from professional to personal, even without you actually knowing it

On that relatable note, we bring you a list of topics that better need to be left for social meetings at your favorite beer joint, and not for the office lunchroom. Let's have a look.

“Hurry up! This Will Only Take A Second”

Trust us, it hardly ever does! Pressing your co-workers to perform a task that they’ve already politely denied might not be be the best course of action, regardless of your freindship in your personal lives. Behavior like this can excessively dismissive of your co-worker's time and will to perform the task and also cause unnecessary emotions in the workplace that could also strain your personal relationships.

“Are You Really Going to Eat That?”

This topic is not only bad to bring up at work but also in general. Food shaming is an inappropriate practice, especially when you know nothing about the other person’s food preferences. In general, it’s best to stay away from such discussions. After all, who amongst us hasn't taken a bite of that stale cupcake while sitting in the conference room? Imagine how ashamed one would feel if someone suddenly pointed out this mishap in front of all of our work colleagus.

Toa Heftiba/Unsplash | Food shaming is an inadequate practice especially when you know nothing about the person who’s actually going through this disorder

“Sorry, That was My Assistant”

Managers, this one is for you. If there has been a misunderstanding in the workplace that has led to an issue or complication, it’s important that you be the bigger person and take responsibility, even if it was caused by a junior worker on your team. Blaming an employee or throwing someonme else under the bus just doesn't seem right.

“What's Your Plan for Lia’s Party?”

First of all, did you even bother to learn if that co-wroker is even invited to Lea’s party? Even worse, what if the news of this party spreads in your entire department and among people who were definitely not invited? You’d be putting Lia in a difficult spot indeed. No one likes a bunch of unwelcome guests or party crashers who weren't even invited in the first place, especially when there's limited seating and food available.

Priscilla Du Preez/Unsplash | No one likes a bunch of party crashers who weren't even invited in the first place

To Wrap Up

These were some of the most inappropriate work conversations that take place in a professional environment. We highly advise you to stay away from such ‘oops’ scenarios and instead focus on the work that you’re actually getting paid to do.