When working at a large organization with many divisions or departments, it may be necessary to differentiate between the extent of your working relationship with people in your organization. Co-workers would be those who work in your workgroup or department, or those whom you have a close working relationship with in another workgroup or department. Workplace acquaintances are people you know of but don't have a close working relationship with. These individuals are typically in other departments or divisions of the company.
In office fraternization situations, workplace acquaintances can be considered (although weakly so) the exception to the "I don't date co-workers" rule. The argument being that because he or she is not considered a co-worker (defined in the preceding paragraph), that person can be considered dating material because, even though you both work in the same company, you both work in a different division or department.
In office fraternization situations, workplace acquaintances can be considered (although weakly so) the exception to the "I don't date co-workers" rule. The argument being that because he or she is not considered a co-worker (defined in the preceding paragraph), that person can be considered dating material because, even though you both work in the same company, you both work in a different division or department.
Rob: I am thinking of asking Trish from Accounting out to dinner and a movie.
Jon: Cool, she's hot! But you said you don't date co-workers.
Rob: She's in a different department, so that doesn't make her a co-worker, just a workplace acquaintance.
Jon: Cool, she's hot! But you said you don't date co-workers.
Rob: She's in a different department, so that doesn't make her a co-worker, just a workplace acquaintance.
by johnne-boy April 21, 2010
Get the workplace acquaintancemug. Mainly said by females and is the more polite term for a fuck buddy or a friend with benefits, useful for when in company where you cannot describe the person as a fuck buddy but need to make sure that everyone is aware that you're not going out with him.
Girl 1: "So what's with you and Tom?"
Girl 2: "Nothing he's just a male acquaintance."
Girl 1: "So you're sleeping with him?"
Girl 2: "Yeah pretty much."
Girl 2: "Nothing he's just a male acquaintance."
Girl 1: "So you're sleeping with him?"
Girl 2: "Yeah pretty much."
by phallic cranium November 13, 2013
Get the male acquaintancemug. Similar to being friend zoned, only far worse.
While being friend zoned can sometimes produce a friend, being acquaintance zoned produces nothing.
While being friend zoned can sometimes produce a friend, being acquaintance zoned produces nothing.
Josh: So how did asking out Sarah go?
Larry: Not well at all. No interest.
Josh: Friend zoned?
Larry: Worse. Acquaintance zoned.
Larry: Not well at all. No interest.
Josh: Friend zoned?
Larry: Worse. Acquaintance zoned.
by ratdude747 February 10, 2013
Get the acquaintance zonedmug. A person whose company you don't particularly enjoy or like, but circumstances force you to interact or spend time with him or her.
by EdgyHipster69 March 2, 2019
Get the forced acquaintancemug. A "secret code" phrase to mean that --- while you are not of alternative orientation yourself --- you are at least "neutral and tolerant" in your views/feelings regarding other-than-straight individuals, and so anyone within earshot knows that he can feel comfy and secure around you, no matter what type of human he identifies himself as.
Jerry Dean Michael (a.k.a., "Elizabeth Carmichael", the infamous proponent of the equally-infamous "Dale" automobile) might have been able to label himself as a "friend of Dorothy" back in the beginning, but after he swindled so many people out of their life savings in their eager bids to acquire one of his non-existent fuel-miser automobiles, he could probably only have claimed to be an "acquaintance of Dorothy", since neither the Kansas girl or anyone else would likely have wanted to be HIS "friend" anymore!
by QuacksO February 18, 2022
Get the acquaintance of Dorothymug. Somebody you know thru work (colleague, customer, etc.) with whom you're friendly on the job, but you aren't interested in becoming their buddy/ mate nor in fraternizing with them elsewhere.
Brian: I eat lunch in the employee cafeteria with David three times a week, but when I invite him to a barbecue or to go out drinking on Saturdays, he always claims to be busy or have other plans.
Scott: Sounds like he considers you an occupational acquaintance!
Scott: Sounds like he considers you an occupational acquaintance!
by Powerpasser January 12, 2018
Get the occupational acquaintancemug. by Ejg54jbh May 21, 2017
Get the Acquaintance Zonemug.