“Don’t shit where you eat” is really one of my favorite warnings.  It truly embodies the kind of unsavory mess one could get into if they indulge in some risky behavior a little too close to home.

Here are a few of the different daily-life characters you may want to consider a little bit further…BEFORE you feed those seeds of desire.

The Coworker – We have all sighed at Jim and Pam’s blossoming romance, that plays out on NBC’s, The Office – but getting tipsy at the corporate Christmas party and frenching your associate for offering you the last scoop of broccoli and cheese dip, doesn’t paint the same kind of picture.

I have a close friend who in fact began to date her coworker, who she was to report to directly; after a few weeks, they declared their relationship to HR. Reporting roles were switched up, and everyone was happy, they are currently experiencing ‘relationship bliss’. So, clearly, this situation can turn out smooth. The downside of course is… THIS IS YOUR LIVELYHOOD! Dealing with any situation that may compromise your reputation in the workplace, or even your job, its best to test the waters VERY slowly, and with full faculties in place. If a Christmas-party-kiss-calamity does occur – a congenial ‘office memo’ to your fellow kissing bandit could surely clear the air.

The Classmate – This one is tough, and especially tempting. You are sitting in the same classes all day, multiple days of the week – you see each other often and already feel a bond because you both have same opinions of your teachers, similar attitudes towards the economic crisis, and you’re both unemployed – you are on the same page…literally.

You try and try and try to hold out until term ends to ask or be asked out on a date – BUT surely enough, studying accounting in the park turns into calculating how many trees you can make-out under within a fiscal year. Yes, some of the best relationships begin while in school – so there is hope! However, don’t let the idea of a potential romance distract you form the task at hand, you are there to learn!!! On the downside, if it doesn’t work out… definitely talk about things, and surely a solid friendship could form. After all, you’re the only two in class who have seen each other naked! You can’t be blamed for fantasizing about dry-hump session up against the lockers.

The Neighbor – This could apply to that sexy dude in a toque that serves up your Americano every morning who occasionally slips you a croissant on the house, your local bartender, or server at your favorite restaurant, or in my previous experience – the individual who in fact lives in the house directly beside yours. It’s always nice to get to know the local guys in your hood, but once you get more than friendly there could be definite downsides.

You probably run into these guys often. If you start dating or sleeping with the Ned Flanders in your life, this means lots of accidental run-ins. You end up bumping into each other and deciding to grab dinner, or you walk over to borrow a dvd – even if you it already sits on your shelf. Seeing them this often probably feels great – but could lead to a false sense of closeness “we practically live with each-other now!’ yea, yea. But, You DONT.

Stick to making plans, and don’t feel obligated, or hold them to any hang time obligations just because you can see them chillaxing on their porch. The upside of this is that if it does work out, you don’t need to hire a mover, and a quick booty call is only seconds away. The downside, if it ends badly – every time your dog needs to piss, it could be a heart racing, potentially drama making moment. Get a pair of dark oversized shades or find a new local, if it is your actual neighbor – pray they move (mine did!).