The other night my husband F came home from work with the giggles.  Strange, since he spent all day at the office followed by several hours of sitting at his desk doing business school homework.  Stranger still, since he's not really the giggling type. 

He launched into this story—and please note, I am not condoning his behavior:

F and his coworker Darwin* were standing over the desk of their newer, younger coworker, Joe.  While they were walking Joe through something on his computer, an Outlook e-mail preview popped up in the lower right-hand corner of the screen.  It was from Joe's girlfriend of a few months, Lisa. 

Now, F's job entails an incredibly chaotic, conservative work environment, where protocol and compliance are critical.  I'm allowed to send him the occasional e-mail, but it generally has to be all business.  Just the facts.

Flirting?  Not an option.   

So F and Darwin were fascinated when they saw that the e-mail from Lisa was actually an appointment request:

F was quick.  He was sitting at the keyboard for the demonstration and, before Joe could object, he forwarded the appointment request to himself and to Darwin.  Joe stood there, mouth agape, wondering if that had really just happened.  F and Darwin walked back to their desks, and F thought, Won't it be funny if I "accept" the appointment?  He told Darwin.  They laughed.  Darwin thought, Won't it be funny if I "accept" the appointment, too?  Oh, and I'll add a little note that says, "Hope there's room for all of us!"

So funny!  ...Except that the "appointment accepted" e-mails didn't go to Joe, of course.  They went to Lisa. 

And Joe?  Joe had some 'splaining to do.......

Do you send flirty e-mails to your guy's office?

• Yes, and he sends them back! That way we stay on each others' minds all day.
• Are you kidding? No way! Too risky.

Quiz: What kind of flirt are you? >>

*All names have been changed to protect the innocent.