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Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

Is my (22F) colleague(35M) unethical?

63 replies

Josline · 11/01/2025 16:52

So I 22F work abroad in Norway as an IT consultant. I got an internship during my final year of uni and through that I actually got a job offer.

Even though I work as an IT consultant our office is very female dominated. Since we're perfume company. Everything except production is happening in our building.

I just started working here 3 months ago but my internship was 4.5 months. So I have a bit of grasp on Norwegian culture. They're fare more sexually liberated here than almost anywhere. Nothing wrong with it just a bit of a culture shock. Its pretty normal for colleagues of different departments to have relationship's with one another.

There's another "expat" in our company from Iran. He works at research and development as a chemical engineer. But most of his job is consulting designers if they're ideas are feasible from an engineering perspective. So he works with mostly women a lot of time. He's 35 years old and from the time I spend with him he seems solid. Very relaxed, kind and very respectful. He tries not to bother anyone and he's very good at his job. He already speaks Norwegian and Swedish since he came here when he was 23 right after getting his degree a in Sweden. The man likes to keep to himself he usually hangs out with two other engineers. But he definitely socializes with everybody. Let's call him Reza for now.

Reza is quite popular at our company since he works here for so long now. He's also popular with the women of the office. He's very tall,works out and still has his hair so it's not very surprising . At lunch some women including me were talking about men in the office. Reza came up, I started chuckling since I knew Reza was quite the quiet guy. They noticed and asked why i chuckled. I told them why and they all started laughing. They said you must not know who Reza is then. The told me that Reza is a known womenizer. Which I found very surprising. They then continued and said he slept with multiple women working at our office. I mean it's not unusual but I just didn't expect it.But here comes my concern.

They then proceeded to tell me who he went out with. They said a few names and one woman was 20 the other one 21 and another one 23. A few other ones were 33,38 and 41.

I thought the first two were very concerning since they were 19 and 20 respectively when it happened. He was about 33/34 at the time. I spoke to them and they said they had great time. Aswell as the fact that he treated them respectfully.

Do you guys think this behaviour is weird?

OP posts:
godmum56 · 11/01/2025 17:30

Josline · 11/01/2025 16:52

So I 22F work abroad in Norway as an IT consultant. I got an internship during my final year of uni and through that I actually got a job offer.

Even though I work as an IT consultant our office is very female dominated. Since we're perfume company. Everything except production is happening in our building.

I just started working here 3 months ago but my internship was 4.5 months. So I have a bit of grasp on Norwegian culture. They're fare more sexually liberated here than almost anywhere. Nothing wrong with it just a bit of a culture shock. Its pretty normal for colleagues of different departments to have relationship's with one another.

There's another "expat" in our company from Iran. He works at research and development as a chemical engineer. But most of his job is consulting designers if they're ideas are feasible from an engineering perspective. So he works with mostly women a lot of time. He's 35 years old and from the time I spend with him he seems solid. Very relaxed, kind and very respectful. He tries not to bother anyone and he's very good at his job. He already speaks Norwegian and Swedish since he came here when he was 23 right after getting his degree a in Sweden. The man likes to keep to himself he usually hangs out with two other engineers. But he definitely socializes with everybody. Let's call him Reza for now.

Reza is quite popular at our company since he works here for so long now. He's also popular with the women of the office. He's very tall,works out and still has his hair so it's not very surprising . At lunch some women including me were talking about men in the office. Reza came up, I started chuckling since I knew Reza was quite the quiet guy. They noticed and asked why i chuckled. I told them why and they all started laughing. They said you must not know who Reza is then. The told me that Reza is a known womenizer. Which I found very surprising. They then continued and said he slept with multiple women working at our office. I mean it's not unusual but I just didn't expect it.But here comes my concern.

They then proceeded to tell me who he went out with. They said a few names and one woman was 20 the other one 21 and another one 23. A few other ones were 33,38 and 41.

I thought the first two were very concerning since they were 19 and 20 respectively when it happened. He was about 33/34 at the time. I spoke to them and they said they had great time. Aswell as the fact that he treated them respectfully.

Do you guys think this behaviour is weird?

what your behaviour? Definitely. MYOB.

Collette78 · 11/01/2025 17:31

I don’t think it’s weird, they’re all adults and he’s clearly having a great time (as are they apparently)
If he’s single and they are single it’s up to them what their choices are.

I personally don't like this going on in the workplace, but you’ve said the culture and workplace is quite liberal so presumably it’s not frowned upon.

vodkaredbullgirl · 11/01/2025 17:33

🤔 heard this before.

Butt out

InSpainTheRain · 11/01/2025 17:43

You need to leave well alone it is not your business. I think it'll backfire on you, you need to just do your job and no sly chuckles and no comments. If you work in a company where there is sleeping around there are all sorts of alliances and politics you can't even guess at.

Beautifulweeds · 11/01/2025 17:43

So he's a womaniser and clearly good at it, bit sleazy but if they're willing that's the way it goes. Xx

Christwosheds · 11/01/2025 17:49

I don’t think adults dating other adults who they meet at work is an issue at all, age gap or not, unless there is some level of exploitation, eg a senior figure putting pressure on a new employee.

Foggyflumpet · 11/01/2025 18:03

Beautifulweeds · 11/01/2025 17:43

So he's a womaniser and clearly good at it, bit sleazy but if they're willing that's the way it goes. Xx

Especially if he's still got his own hair and teeth at 35!

Arlanymor · 11/01/2025 18:05

Foggyflumpet · 11/01/2025 18:03

Especially if he's still got his own hair and teeth at 35!

I've still got my own hair and teeth at 45 - nearly 46! I didn't realise I was a unicorn! (Albeit a laydee unicorn!)

DancingOctopus · 11/01/2025 18:06

Your youth shines through these posts. You view 35 as being positively ancient.
Consenting adults can do what they want and they don't require your permission. It matters not what you think.

Lostworlds · 11/01/2025 18:08

They are all adults and the way you paint him, he seems much older than mid 30’s!

Really it seems like this man doesn’t feel like himself around you and is very quiet whereas with everyone else he’s apparently quite chatty.
If there are no problems with his previous relationships then I don’t understand why you have an issue with it.

LostMyLanyard · 11/01/2025 18:15

Good lord! Wind your neck in 🤦‍♀️

Viviennemary · 11/01/2025 18:19

It may not be in keeping with your moral standards but it isn't weird Stop being such a busybody.

feathermucker · 11/01/2025 18:22

It sounds fully consensual and they said he treats them respectfully.

Why on earth would you go asking the younger women about it?! THAT is weird.

thiscantbemylife · 11/01/2025 18:26

Yeah I think a lot of people would change their views if it was their 19 yr old daughter dating a guy mid 30s at work being a notch on his belt. usually that age and much older there is some power imbalance but it is also two consenting adults legally and all that.

It is a bit grim and being at work but it’s one of those things. Like others have said it’s better to not indulge in those conversations as could backfire.

namechangeGOT · 11/01/2025 18:27

This is such a weird post!

He's 35 - he's hardly messing about like Hugh Hefner.

Hahaha! I can't wait for you to get to 35 and remember the day you thought mid thirties was 'knocking on' 🤣🤣🤣

He's allowed to fuck who he wants, so are the women (operative word there is women) who are joining him. It's weird that you're thinking about it enough to write a post!

WeeOrcadian · 11/01/2025 18:28

You being concerned with where he puts his dick seems far more concerning to me

Unless they've been coerced, etc, I see no problem (with him - you? Need to keep your nose out)

CucumberBagel · 11/01/2025 18:32

This reads like a 45 year old man trying to write like a 22 year woman.

Just saying.

Beautifulweeds · 11/01/2025 18:32

Foggyflumpet · 11/01/2025 18:03

Especially if he's still got his own hair and teeth at 35!

Oh my, what a bonus indeed!

Itsallgonesideways · 11/01/2025 18:35

I think your behaviour is weird tbh, I hope this helps put things into perspective.

Why mention that 'Reza' is Persian and highlight his ethnicity? Why string this out to such a long waffley post when all you had to say was there's a 35 yr old guy in my office who likes to sleep around. I as a bit surprised because I didn't think he was the type. End of story.

That doesn't sound so sensational though does it?

Josline · 11/01/2025 18:36

CucumberBagel · 11/01/2025 18:32

This reads like a 45 year old man trying to write like a 22 year woman.

Just saying.

Out of all things im not being 45 year old man is what I'm not the most.

OP posts:
category12 · 11/01/2025 18:37

Yeah, I'm uncomfortable with big age-gap relationships, as the power/experience dynamic is off.

At least his ex-partners seem happy enough.

I guess it's good to know for you if you don't want to end up another notch on his bedpost.

ConstanceM · 11/01/2025 18:38

And what's it got to do with you exactly?

AMurderofMurderingCrows · 11/01/2025 18:40

SolarWinds · 11/01/2025 17:08

He's very tall,works out and still has his hair

Having all your hair at 35 isn't particularly noteworthy is it?

The fact that he has his own hair at 35 is obviously the reason all these women's knickers are flying off 😂

guc · 11/01/2025 18:40

I do think it sounds a bit grim. He’s shagging loads of colleagues and one of them was only 19. I’d be upset if either of my kids (who are that age) got with a 35yo. Whilst it’s grim, it’s not illegal or unethical.

SoNiceToComeHomeTo · 11/01/2025 18:43

Josline · 11/01/2025 17:00

You don't think a 30 plus year old sleeping with a 19 year old is weird?

It’s not unusual or illegal, at least not in the UK. Age gap relationships happen. Only dodgy at work if there is a power imbalance.

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