Does this married woman like me?

[Cat_Whisperer]

You haven’t really described anything that couldn’t be put down to; “I’m a happily married woman, and I feel comfortable with Ryan, so I’ll be my natural, friendly self with him.” The head-count for the barbecue could be just that - she’ll be there, but she won’t be with anyone so you don’t need to buy burgers for them.

As a married woman, she should probably be a little bit more aware that her friendliness towards single guys could be mis-interpreted and watch her boundaries.

[Giraffe]

@Ryan_Liam

I’ve learnt the hard way not to shit where I eat

You and me both, brother. I crapped in the dining room once, and Mrs. Giraffe was not impressed.

[Grrr]

Some women are just manipulative. Do you find yourself doing favors for her a lot?

Are you in a position to help her get promoted at work?

[BobLibDem]

@Lord_Mondegreen

I’m still getting over that your work has planned a barbecue months in advance. Not only that but people need to say now whether they are going.

Here an RSVP for a BBQ would be at the most one week beforehand, but much more likely 48 hours in advance - i.e. just enough time to buy the food.

What an organized workplace you have.

It might well be that they have to book the park well in advance so why not tell people about it? I’m not sure I read into it that an RSVP was required, I just took it as normal “are you coming and who are you bringing?” type of office chatter.
Back to the OP, she might be just a flirter and is having a little fun with you. Perhaps she’s already taking it as far as she wishes. My approach would be “when in doubt, don’t.”

[Ryan_Liam]

@Cat_Whisperer

You haven’t really described anything that couldn’t be put down to; “I’m a happily married woman, and I feel comfortable with Ryan, so I’ll be my natural, friendly self with him.” The head-count for the barbecue could be just that - she’ll be there, but she won’t be with anyone so you don’t need to buy burgers for them.

As a married woman, she should probably be a little bit more aware that her friendliness towards single guys could be mis-interpreted and watch her boundaries.

This is what I’m starting to be more inclined to believe, and now I feel embarrassed due to over-thinking this :smack:

[Taomist]

I’m not sure it matters when married people flirt, whether it’s with single folk or not. Maybe it’s just around here, but married people are MORE likely to flirt a lot, for 2 reasons.

1. Don’t have to worry about turning down anyone actually interested, 'cause hey, “I’m married”

and

2. Once you’re married, flings are a lot easier…as long as it’s with someone else who’s also married. Single people expect too much; married folk know it’s just ‘on the side fling’ with no expectations.

But that just might be me misinterpreting a lot of stuff.

No, no, it’s not. People where I work<ed> were definitely like that. It was such an ‘open secret’ that even my first week, I knew who was sleeping with who, 'cause they did nothing to hide it. But gods forbid you bring up the fact that they were married to other people; somehow MENTIONING it was a no-no.

p.s. That sounds prudish, which I am not. I have zero problems with something on the side, as long as the marriage comes first and it’s equal-opportunity.

[Freudian_Slit]

@Ryan_Liam

But what was interesting was what happened next, I said she could bring her family with her, and I said she could take her son or husband, she hesitated said her husband probably would be working and her son wouldn’t want to go.

I don’t see what’s so relevant about this point. Her husband and son could legitimately not be able to/not want to go.

[Autolycus]

Seriously, don’t.

But, before you make your final decision… is she hot?

[Fuzzy_Dunlop]

@Taomist

p.s. That sounds prudish, which I am not. I have zero problems with something on the side, as long as the marriage comes first and it’s equal-opportunity.

For the record, nothing in your post sounds remotely prudish.

[Belowjob2.0]

@Taomist

I’m not sure it matters when married people flirt, whether it’s with single folk or not. Maybe it’s just around here, but married people are MORE likely to flirt a lot, for 2 reasons.

1. Don’t have to worry about turning down anyone actually interested, 'cause hey, “I’m married”

and

2. Once you’re married, flings are a lot easier…as long as it’s with someone else who’s also married. Single people expect too much; married folk know it’s just ‘on the side fling’ with no expectations.

But that just might be me misinterpreting a lot of stuff.

No, no, it’s not. People where I work<ed> were definitely like that. It was such an ‘open secret’ that even my first week, I knew who was sleeping with who, 'cause they did nothing to hide it. But gods forbid you bring up the fact that they were married to other people; somehow MENTIONING it was a no-no.

p.s. That sounds prudish, which I am not. I have zero problems with something on the side, as long as the marriage comes first and it’s equal-opportunity.

Pretty much exactly what I’ve seen in my various workplaces.

I do have a problem with married people screwing around, though. Not because it’s a SIN! so much as because you can never tell where it might lead and it just seems sloppy overall. People start out with a “this is just sex” attitude, but then the lust/passion/whatever spills over and fucks everything up. YMMV.

[Cat_Whisperer]

@Ryan_Liam

This is what I’m starting to be more inclined to believe, and now I feel embarrassed due to over-thinking this :smack:

Don’t be embarrassed - I think it’s better to be aware and prepared than being caught off-guard and not know what’s going on.

Married people screwing around at work ruins everything for everyone eventually - things go off the rails and everyone is left uncomfortable and not knowing what to say and it’s just no fun. ETA: I mean, sooner or later everyone at work finds out, especially if things do go wrong (which they seem to).

[PetW]

Boobs?