At a Halloween party I met a very nice woman and we’ve been exchanging e-mails. We haven’t gone out yet, but I’d like to. I found out yesterday that she’s a student at my new company (I teach English). My old company had a super strict non-socialization policy, but the new one’s much more relaxed about it. As long as she’s not a student in any of my classes (she isn’t even at any branches I teach at), it’s ok by both me and the company. The question is should I tell her up front (ala “hey your a student? I teach for the same company. What a coincidence.” ) or should I wait until she asks about my job, or is something else more appropriate?
If the intra-company socialization isn’t a problem, then I would think you’re best off not considering this relationship to be any different than any other you might start. In other words, just answer the question when it comes up in normal conversation.
That is, of course, unless you’re trying to use that as an enticement to date you, but I don’t see that as being the case. Just ask her out and proceed like normal.
since you’re in Japan, you don’t have to worry about being called on the carpet for sexual harrassment. 
Answer the question if it comes up. Otherwise, no need to mention it.
Tell her.
That kind of thing, (What do you do for living?) usually comes up on a first date. Assure her that any relationship would not be conflict of interest on either of your parts.
Thanks for the advice guys.
My old company would have had me on the carpet and possibly fired for being at the same party. They’ve done it to other employees I know.
[sub]Just don’t forget that you should “go” not “come”[/sub]
Who said that ?!?!?
j/k
Might as well tell her up front (but when you’re face to face on that first date…NOT on email before that). As long as she’s at a different branch I doubt she’ll mind.
BTW, do you mind telling what company? I taught in Osaka a few years ago for Trinity Academy (If you’ve heard of it. There’s just one branch in Osaka). Just curious.
[sub]
I miss Osaka at night…hated it during the day, but man, I had fun there at night![/sub]
was your old company japanese? Would that have applied to westerner/japanese fraternization or across the board to all employees?
Sheesh, maybe Japan has improved a bit in the past 7 years.
You should think about how you are going to feel if you have a fight with her & have to go to work. She might not be your student but she knows where your office is…
They have Halloween in Japan?
No problem. The old company was Nova, and the new one is ECC.
Well, it was kind of like “socialism with Chinese characteristics”. It was a Japanese company with Japanese in all the positions of real power, but a few western trappings. AFAIK it applied accross the board in theory but I only know of westerners being fired.
They’ve had that policy as long as I can remember (10 years in Japan).
Check my post on that here.