Things you should never do in office

This is where we come in. Every office has its set of dos and don'ts, but then there is also a set of general don'ts that you need to keep in mind. We are here to list these general don'ts for you and we are sure they will help you stay clear of getting embarrassed in office.

1. Peep into someone's laptop/desktop

The most annoying person in office is the one who peeps into his colleagues laptop screen. Make sure you are not this annoying person. No matter the urge to see what other people are up to, you must save yourself the embarrassment of being labelled the office's peeping tom.

2. Walk around like you own the place

It is great to be confident, but it is a sin to be cocky. So under no circumstances should you walk around like you own the place. It is advisable to keep your smartness in check and not throw your weight around. Keep it easy going and genuine, and everyone in office will like you instead of bitching about you.

3. Be loud

Oh my GOD!Please don't be that loud person in office. Keep your voice level in check, do not play loud music and stay clear of all things loud. Loud people annoy colleagues like few other people/things do. Train yourself to talk softly yet be audible.

4. Gossip

We are sure you have heard this one before. It is imperative to stay clear of gossip, but we all know that this is not possible. Every nook and corner of office is full of gossip mongers. What you can do however, is keep your tongue in check. Don't bitch everyone out to everyone, and don't allow others to christen you the gossip king.

5. Stealing

Every office goer at some point in time is inclined to steal some office stationery: a pen, a paper, a folder, or a print out. Doing so once in a blue moon is okay, but don't make a habit of it. Stealing is bad and you will be answerable and payable if you are caught.

6. Lie/Blame others

When you find yourself in a soup or in tough situations you will be inclined to lie or shift the blame of your wrong doing on someone else. If you do this, you are putting not only your reputation at stake but your job too. Always stick to the honesty policy and play fair.

7. Share your personal problems

No one lives an easy life. Everyone has their share of personal problems just as you have yours. It would be naïve to share your personal problems with your work colleagues. We suggest you leave these issues at home and come to office with a clear mind. Remember, your colleagues aren't your personal agony aunts.

8. Make out

Irrespective of how hot that colleague of yours is, making out in the office is just unpardonable. Making out is an extremely private affair and an office is the least private of places you know. Besides, if somebody catches you in the act, you can bid your job farewell.

This is our list of general don'ts in work environments. Avoid committing these errors and you are sure to stay in the office good books.

7 things you should never say to your partner

Sometimes our secret thoughts just slip out in a clumsy splutter of word vomit, and boom – we're in the doghouse again. We present you with seven things you should never say to your partner. Ignore this at your peril.

What not to say, rule 1: "My ex used to do that too!"

Whether you're complimenting your partner, or highlighting a less than favourable flaw, comparing your current partner to an ex is not, under any circumstances, a good idea. Telling your other half how a former flame used to give excellent foot massages, or even a catty comment about their awful dress sense, will not go down well with your lady/gentleman friend and is a recipe for disaster as your other half wonders why this ex is on your mind in the first place. Next time you experience boyfriend or girlfriend déjà vu, do yourself a favour and keep it on the down-low.

What not to say, rule 2: "Don't you think [insert relevant name] is pretty/handsome?"

This question is just plain annoying and sets your partner up in a lose/lose situation, which is a recipe for disaster. There are plenty of conversation starters out there that can be used without having to resort to this, so avoid questions based on other people's looks. The first trap you set up for your partner with this question is if they disagree with you. We've all done it; they disagree and you brand them as a liar and say you wouldn't have minded if they agreed with you in the first place (Pfft, of course they can say that someone else is attractive – you're not that insecure!). The second major pitfall that your partner runs a high risk of falling into is agreeing with you. 'Yes' they say, 'she/he is gorgeous', and boom – they've been figured out. You knew they fancied this person all along. Mind games aren't a good recipe for a successful relationship, so avoid them at all costs.

What not to say, rule 3: Don't drool over the opposite sex

Some people don't struggle with an answer when asked if they think someone else is attractive. If you do find someone of the opposite sex good-looking take a moment to gather your thoughts before you start panting in agreement with your partner's passing comment. When asked if you think a member of the opposite sex is attractive, it's often a plea for attention or reassurance neatly disguised as an innocent question. Yep, this is an invitation for you to gush to your lover about how much hotter he/she is, so be tactful with your reply. Try something along the lines of "She/he is alright, but they've got nothing on you". Oh you little charmer!

What not to say, rule 4: "Can we wrap this sex session up? [Insert favourite TV show] is on in five"

This one is self-explanatory. Having their sexual performances ranked below a TV programme can lead to severe feelings of inadequacy for your other half. Even if you have been desperately waiting to find out what happens in the next instalment of your favourite programme, just beware of the trouble this could cause if you express your thoughts out loud. Cutting off a sex session is a big time deal breaker.

What not to say, rule 5: "I'm fine", when really you're not

The classic passive-aggressive comment "I'm fine", when you're clearly annoyed that your other half has just switched channels without asking your permission first, creates all sorts of trouble for ten minutes time. As you sit there wallowing in your own little bubble of anger, you feel the tension building in the air and you're both just sat there waiting for the other person to talk to break the stressful atmosphere. By the time you get around to actually solving the first problem, you've created a whole string of others by being in such a mood in the first place. You've both said things you didn't mean and now you're just in a tangled web of problems that could easily have been avoided. When asked if you're okay, use this is an opportunity to outline what's bothering you, not a chance to feel sorry for yourself and create a drama.

What not to say, rule 6: "Do you think it's wise to eat that?"

Asking your lover if they really think it's wise to be eating the chocolate smothered doughnut that is about to disappear into their mouth is a bad move by anyone's standards, particularly if your partner is female. It's basically a sugar-coated version of the phrase, "You've put on weight, stop eating junk". If you have uttered either of these phrases, duck now. Leave the house. Don't ever return.

What not to say, rule 7: "What are you thinking riiight... NOW?"

It's a question that some of us like to hurl at our partners when they're least expecting it. We say it so fast that our other half doesn't have the chance to make up a false reply or even to think straight, which leads him/her to stutter, and then we accuse them of thinking of their ex or having rude thoughts about someone else. The chances are, they were just pondering what they're having for tea or how to tackle a difficult situation at work, but when put on the spot they can't really remember what they were thinking, let alone put it into a coherent sentence. Even if they did happen to be thinking of having sex with a porn star or getting back with an ex, the last thing they'll do is admit it so this will never really be a constructive question unless they answer "thinking of you", but then we'd probably tell them they're lying anyway. Our partners simply can't win.