Younger guy at work - go for it or avoid?

[Marshmallow444]

I’m 35. I have a (probably very inappropriate) crush on a guy at work who is only 21. Aside from the age difference, I am senior to him, though I am self employed and we hire staff (kind of like an agency set up). He is part of our staff and works for me / others though I am not his ‘manager’ if that makes sense. Helps organise my clients and diary etc. Not in charge of my fees or anything like that if it makes a difference.
The feeling is mutual. Last time we were at a work drinks he made it very clear he was interested. People have noticed the chemistry between us.
I think I could trust him to be discreet (don’t want to be the subject of gossip) but I think the temptation to talk might get the better of him. As a male friend said to me yesterday, sleeping with me would be the kind of thing men would want to brag about 🤦🏻‍♀️ which I think was meant as a compliment but concerns me slightly!
I rarely see him ‘at work’ as I work remotely / at different locations. Mainly see him at social events.
Is it a bad idea to explore this further? I do really like him. We really get on and whilst it probably won’t be a super serious long term thing because of the age difference, it would be nice to have a relationship that’s light and easy. Not into anything super casual. He is very protective over me and looks after me.
Go for it or leave well alone?

I tend to find all men will stick it in anything I don’t think that’s an age thing.
I have been hit on by every man in that team and he has been the most respectful towards me, and he is the youngest, which is pretty sad tbh.

Ignore the nasty comments. They are all just jealous they can’t bag a 21 year old.

Ewwww. My son is 20- that would be like trying to bang one of his friends 🤮🤮🤮

Gross

I never shit where I eat. Ive done it before and id never do it again. Best case scenario its a bit uncomfortable, embarrassing and people talk about you.

I would say wait till he leaves. He’s 21, he will probably do some job hopping before he finds the right place and settles in. As for the age gap - a little dogey but men do it all the time. Even if he’s fine as hell, it’s not worth your career. Might be a nice ego boost though, you can do a bit of mild flirting but keep it at that.

I think if you don't have grown up kids, it's easy to see someone that age as an adult because although legally they are, you don't see how immature and under developed mentally they still can be. If my son got with a woman your age, which is only slightly younger than me, there's nothing I could do about it but I'd wonder about her and think there was something not quite right with her.

Yes it's exactly this! My son is 20- if a woman at his work aged 35 chased after him I would certainly assume there was something very wrong with her.

I would feel exactly the same if I had a daughter that age who was chased by a much older man

You’re being a crybaby now

Why ask the question if you don’t want to hear answers?
I don’t think anybody has been particularly vicious or misogynistic at all. Most have responded with the truth. You just don’t want to hear the truth.
I’ve been a senior manager/director in large companies and the public sector for about 20 years. I have seen and dealt with everything that is described here and more.
A workplace fling that became a sexual harassment case because one party felt wronged and the other party was the senior and should have known better - so many times.
I am actually wondering whether this is real now, because I truly can’t see how you could be this naive at the age of 35.
The summary of what almost everyone is telling you is, do whatever you want BUT not at work. That’s it really.

Very bad idea!

Oh my gosh, avoid, avoid, avoid! This is such a bad idea for you both.

I met my fiancée at work when he was 19 and I was 27. Never even looked at him in any kinda way until he was 22 and I was 30. We’ve now been together 10 years and have 4 year old twins. Some people found it weird (primarily his mum, which I get!) but he was really mature and had his head screwed on. Now we are 32 and 40 no one bats an eye. We are building a good life for ourselves.

OP that is seriously creepy IMO.
That is what I think of men that do it.
Don't mess where you eat.