Couples who have long-term relationships that start from meeting at work seem to just do "things right." They instinctively seem to follow the guidelines other successful couples employ. First, they have "similar expectations," or both like the other and have romance in mind, not job benefits or some work advantage. Second, they keep "work to work, and home to home" - in other words, they don't argue about personal matters at work (a danger to fall into) or do things which would make their coworkers unduly uncomfortable. They go out of their way to be discrete.

Next, they don't hold hands by the fax machine or neck in the elevator - they don't have public displays of affection and always keep their work professional and up to their standards. They keep their relationship to themselves until they're ready to go "public" with the news. Fourth, their relationship and each other is more important than that initial job where they met, and as important as their individual careers. These successful couples have agreed on whose career is to be protected, or who will look for another job somewhere else if they need to (again, remember that work is where people meet, not necessarily where they will stay forever). These twosomes have gotten into the habit of discussing problems as a partnership and what's important to both of them-not just for one player's program.

The Office Romance: Playing with Fire without getting Burned goes into this in more detail.