# The Office 2/2/06 **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 3, 2006, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-2-2-06/342781 "2006-02-03T03:08:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Enderw24](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ba9def/32.png) [@Enderw24](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enderw24)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2006, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-2-2-06/342781/41 "2006-02-03T17:52:58Z")
This was a great episode. I actually thought the best joke was the throwaway line in the women’s meeting as they’re talking about sports terms. Jan says “par for the course means right on track. Below par is worse” then she starts muttering to herself “wait it should mean better, that doesn’t make sense.” before Kelly interrupts with her second base joke. That’s really true if you think about it. It just cracked me up. ---
**Author:** ![Unauthorized\_Cinnamon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/bc8723/32.png) [@Unauthorized\_Cinnamon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Unauthorized_Cinnamon)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2006, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-2-2-06/342781/42 "2006-02-03T18:12:44Z")
I forgot my third-favorite little aside, after Kelly’s wink and Toby’s “shhh.” When Angela says how she’s in the healthiest relationship of her life, and the “documentary editor” shows her and Dwight awkwardly avoiding being in the breakroom together. As others have said, one of the most fun characters is the film crew lately! ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Mudd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f14d63/32.png) [@Larry\_Mudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Mudd)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2006, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-2-2-06/342781/43 "2006-02-03T18:34:56Z")
> [@Enderw24](#): > > Jan says “par for the course means right on track. Below par is worse” then she starts muttering to herself “wait it should mean better, that doesn’t make sense.” before Kelly interrupts with her second base joke. > > That’s really true if you think about it. Maybe it’s just because I’m a nerd, but it seems to me that the humour there was based on how _untrue_ it is: “Par for the course” is a golf metaphor. “Below par” isn’t. She’s trying to relate the rules of golf to a general-use word that was used for centuries before the game was developed. It’s the kind of reasoning that screams “Business major!” and gives english major types an opportunity to laugh up their sleeves. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Push\_You\_Down](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/push_you_down/32/9095_2.png) [@Push\_You\_Down](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Push_You_Down)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2006, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-2-2-06/342781/44 "2006-02-03T18:41:16Z")
Roy is a typical guy. He drinks miller beer, watches sports and goofs with his friends. He’s very base. He’s the kind of guy who would watch “According to Jim” and “Yes, Dear.” The country is mostly these guys. He’s not terrible to Pam. There’s been a few moments when you see him be affectionate toward her. His drunken speech on the booze cruise to her was genuine. But it’s clear that Jim and Pam are much better suited for eachother. They relate to eachother where Roy and Pam don’t. Roy’s line about appreciating Jim for being a friend that Pam can talk to about work so he doesn’t have to listen to her complain. Jim’s follow up line was great “Yeah, I like talking to her.” The way he said it implied that Roy DOESN’T like talking to her. Which is probably a little true. I also really liked Kevin “having Jim’s back” and the relieved look on his face when it didn’t come to blows between them. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2006, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-2-2-06/342781/45 "2006-02-03T18:52:41Z")
> [@Larry Mudd](#): > > Maybe it’s just because I’m a nerd, but it seems to me that the humour there was based on how _untrue_ it is: > > “Par for the course” is a golf metaphor. “Below par” isn’t. > > She’s trying to relate the rules of golf to a general-use word that was used for centuries before the game was developed. It’s the kind of reasoning that screams “Business major!” and gives english major types an opportunity to laugh up their sleeves. 😛 But she was reading from a list of what were specifically supposed to be sports metaphors. That means that whoever wrote the list thought that “below par” was a golf metaphor. (FTR, the correct golf terminology would be “_under_ par,” not “below” it) ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Mudd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f14d63/32.png) [@Larry\_Mudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Mudd)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2006, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-2-2-06/342781/46 "2006-02-03T19:08:21Z")
> [@Diogenes the Cynic](#): > > But she was reading from a list of what were specifically supposed to be sports metaphors. I didn’t get the sense that she had a sports metaphor glossary at hand at all – maybe her own notes? Come to think of it, the only other “sports metaphor” that I remember her defining was “fumble,” which is _also_ a general-use english word with only a coincidental sports usage. It’s like saying that “making an error” is a baseball metaphor. ---
**Author:** ![Trunk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/87869e/32.png) [@Trunk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trunk)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2006, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-2-2-06/342781/47 "2006-02-03T19:10:09Z")
I’ve mentioned before how much shit on that show has been right from my own office (including, for instance, getting an email from a supervisor that went right into my spam folder because it was about penis size). But, not 3 weeks ago here, a coworker came by and we had an argument about whether “sub par” should mean good or bad. He’s a golfer, not an english major. ---
**Author:** ![Casey1505](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dc4da7/32.png) [@Casey1505](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Casey1505)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2006, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-2-2-06/342781/48 "2006-02-03T19:12:07Z")
I’ve played golf a time or two, and I think you’re making up this word “par.” I have never used the word “par” in all my golf outings. I’ve used the phrase “broke 80” as in “It’s the 7th hole and I already broke 80,” but never this word “par.” Maybe it’s one of those TV words… ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2006, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-2-2-06/342781/49 "2006-02-03T19:29:16Z")
> [@Larry Mudd](#): > > I didn’t get the sense that she had a sports metaphor glossary at hand at all – maybe her own notes? She was reading off of _something_. I assumed it was from Corporate. She said something to the effect that “Men often use sports metaphors in the office so we should know what they mean.” That’s when she seemed to be reading from a list, staring with “fumble,” then “par.” It was my impression that someone at corporate had attempted to compile a sort of glossary for women. ---
**Author:** ![MrsMonkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8e8cbc/32.png) [@MrsMonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrsMonkey)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2006, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-2-2-06/342781/50 "2006-02-03T20:05:00Z")
I agree with all the reasons already listed about why Pam stays with Roy. But I think it’s also that it’s familiar, it’s easier to keep going with the flow than to rock the boat. We saw in one episode when Pam’s mother came in and she, Pam, and Roy were all going somewhere and it was obvious how comfortable Roy was with her mom. That family closeness would make it even that much harder. I think Jim hit the nail on the head when he told her she needed to not be afraid to try something new - with the job, with her life. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2006, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-2-2-06/342781/51 "2006-02-03T20:35:56Z")
> [@MrsMonkey](#): > > We saw in one episode when Pam’s mother came in and she, Pam, and Roy were all going somewhere and it was obvious how comfortable Roy was with her mom. That family closeness would make it even that much harder. In that episode, you could hear Pam’s mom asking her, “which one’s Jim?” and then Pam shushing her because Jim could overhear it. When Jim told Pam that she has to take a chance one of these days, the double meaning was clear. ---
**Author:** ![jackelope](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a6a055/32.png) [@jackelope](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jackelope)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2006, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-2-2-06/342781/52 "2006-02-03T20:48:14Z")
> [@wnorthr](#): > > Did anybody think that when Meridith started to talk about her goals she started to say “Hi. I’m Meridith and I’m an alcaholic.” but caught herself just in time. Yes, she definitely did. In fact, I’d say she didn’t catch herself in time; it was clear to everyone what had almost been said, and everyone just kind of let it go. Not that anyone in that office could possibly have the slightest doubt about Meredith’s alcoholism anyway. ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2006, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-2-2-06/342781/53 "2006-02-03T21:20:18Z")
> [@UrbanChic](#): > > I assume Scranton’s a small town, correct me if I’m wrong. Pretty much what Casey1505 said (it’s actually 2 hrs about equidistant from NYC and Philly). The characters are typical of people I have met from eastern Pennsylvania. They are simple, plain, unassuming people with modest ambitions who live in a very small world. Note the sharp contrast with the people from “corporate” or Ryan the B-School intern who are professional, wear sharp business attire and view most interactions with this satellite branch as a nuisance. The reason Pam is with Roy is the same reason all simple small town women are with guys like Roy. They grow up in an environment where the jocks get all the attention in school and all the smart, intelligent, ambitious types go off to college and pretty much move away after graduation. They get it stuck in their heads that that type of guy is an “ideal guy”. Roy never comes across as a bad guy. He’s just kind of meatheaded, would probably rather spend his time drinking with his buddies and lacks Jims clever wit that makes Pam laugh. His talk was probably a legitimate attempt to “be cool” with Jim since in his high school meathead mind, he probably assumes Jim is worried about getting pounded for liking the jocks girldfriend. This point is driven home in the booze cruise episode when Roy and Jims girlfriend (an ex-cheerleader) seem to hit it off in a way that we never see withPam. ---
**Author:** ![Merijeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f05b48/32.png) [@Merijeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merijeek)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2006, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-2-2-06/342781/54 "2006-02-03T23:28:25Z")
> [@gigi](#): > > What bugged me though, was Roy saying how he’s glad she and Michael talk at work so that she doesn’t want to come home and bore him with chatter about the office. I don’t like love triangles where it’s not at all clear why she’s with the first guy, and it’s so obvious she should be with the other. I think I haven’t seen it enough to know Roy’s redeeming characteristics. It’s called “inertia” and “fear of change”. I’ve seen it hundreds of times - I imagine most people have. As for people saying they want to run out and watch the BBC version…I couldn’t stand the BBC version. And I love britcoms. -Joe ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Mudd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f14d63/32.png) [@Larry\_Mudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Mudd)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2006, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-2-2-06/342781/55 "2006-02-04T03:58:26Z")
> [@Merijeek](#): > > And I love britcoms. I know that it’s unjustified, but the use of that word makes me want to scream “No you don’t! You _can’t!_” 😃 (It’s kind of like “Japanimation” that way, I guess.) ---
**Author:** ![Gozu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gozu/32/6615_2.png) [@Gozu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gozu)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2006, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-2-2-06/342781/56 "2006-02-04T15:08:24Z")
All the reasons mentionned for why Pam stays with Roy are true but you guys are missing a couple: Roy is a real “manly man”. Blue collar, probably played football in high school. Typical jock. Jim is kind of a wuss. Its obvious he’s scared of Roy for instance. Women tend to dig more assertive men and I guess Pam is not exempt. Roy and Pam have great sex.They never come out right and say it but do you remember the last episode when pam comes back from 10 days at a ski resort with Roy? Jim asks her if she skied a lot and she says “A little”. It doesn’t take a genius to figure out WHAT she’s been doing. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Gozu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gozu/32/6615_2.png) [@Gozu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gozu)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2006, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-2-2-06/342781/57 "2006-02-04T15:11:27Z")
Oh, and by the way, I think I might have missed the ending of that episode. Does anything happen after Michael says his bit about needing the sexual tension to keep things interesting? ---
**Author:** ![middleman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e9a140/32.png) [@middleman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/middleman)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2006, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-2-2-06/342781/58 "2006-02-04T15:48:48Z")
I loved Angela’s commentary on dressing for what you want to be and not what you are. “Clearly, Pam wants to be a…WHORE.” Her anger cracks me up. ---
**Author:** ![middleman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e9a140/32.png) [@middleman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/middleman)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2006, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-2-2-06/342781/59 "2006-02-04T15:50:28Z")
Correction: Clearly JAN ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2006, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-2-2-06/342781/60 "2006-02-04T16:09:19Z")
> [@Gozu](#): > > Roy is a real “manly man”. Blue collar, probably played football in high school. Typical jock. Jim is kind of a wuss. Its obvious he’s scared of Roy for instance. Women tend to dig more assertive men and I guess Pam is not exempt. I disagree that Jim is scared of Roy. In the basketball game episode in Season 1, he kicked butt on Roy. Jim is reasonably athletic. He’s also no wuss when it comes to women, he asked out the purse selling hotting in the first season and the gal from corporate a couple of episodes ago. He’s a little uncomfortable around Roy and has contempt for him due to the way he treats Pam. Roy isn’t abusive to Pam, just neglectful and not on the same par as her intellectually. It looks like I was incorrect earlier, we do get a new episode next week. It’s a Valentine’s Day episode. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-2-2-06/342781.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-2-2-06/342781.md?page=4)