Coworker tension that feels painfully mutual but neither of us does anything
There’s someone at my work that I can’t stop thinking about. We barely ever get a real chance to talk because work is always busy and chaotic, but there’s this constant tension between us. We keep catching each other looking at one another, and it’s not just casual eye contact. It feels intense, awkward, exciting, and kind of nerve-wracking at the same time.
The weird part is that with most people I’m usually pretty normal and confident, but around him I suddenly become shy and hyper-aware of everything I do. Even saying “hi” or “bye” feels charged. Sometimes we’ll look at each other for a second too long and then both look away. Other times it feels like we’re both waiting for the other person to say something, but neither of us actually does.
It honestly feels mutual. The energy is there. The tension is there. But we’re both so careful and hesitant that nothing really happens. We just orbit around each other during shifts, exchanging looks and small moments, and then the shift ends.
I can’t tell if he’s just as nervous as I am or if I’m imagining the whole thing because I’m attracted to him. Has anyone else experienced this kind of mutual tension with a coworker where both people clearly seem interested but are too intimidated or awkward to break the ice? And if you were in that situation, what finally made one of you make a move?