The phenomenon of a “work spouse” began taking the internet by storm a few years back. The term refers to the special, but usually platonic, relationship that can develop between two staff members at the same workplace who spend a significant amount of time together and get on well.
Despite its benign connotations, the concept of a “work wife” or “work husband” has, in many cases, created a feigned anxiety—and, in some, an actual anxiety—within the individual’s real-life partner. This can sometimes lead to an online outpouring of genuine or forged distress.
One man recently took to the social-media platform Reddit to share the first meeting between his work wife and his real spouse, which saw both women turn up to the meet-and-greet in the exact same striped blue dress. The encounter has left the internet in hysterics.
u/malak_oz
“Honestly, the funniest thing about the whole reaction is that the term ‘work wife’ is how my wife actually refers to my colleague. And how my colleague introduced herself to my wife,” Malak, who would like to keep his full identity hidden, told Newsweek.
“No matter how many times I reiterated this in the comments, people were still outraged. There’s even a few times where me sharing this info got downvoted,” Malak, who lives in Australia, added.
What Do the Comments Say?
Malak’s post has been upvoted more than 38,000 times since it was first shared to Reddit seven days ago. He goes by u/malak_oz on the platform.
The lighthearted post, which pokes fun at the internet’s obsession with work spouses, has received a variety of comments from engaged Reddit users.
Some have gushed over the seemingly warm friendship between the two women, who may have been pitted against each other in different circumstances. However, other, funnier takes have also flooded the post’s comments section.
“I hope work child and real child get along,” one user wrote.
Another added: “This is so cute because it’s the same for my husband’s work wife. She could be his mom. It was my birthday a couple of days ago and she brought him a big piece of cake with a candle and wrote happy birthday beautiful on it for him to bring to me so I think she’s my work wife now too.”
“I’m jealous. My work wife is a 300 pound man,” a third added.
A different user shared: “You certainly have a type!”
“Wow, even their faces are the same,” another commented, poking fun at the emoji that had been placed over the image to conceal the identity of the women.
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Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.