An X user named Julia recently shared screenshots of an email exchange with her boyfriend in which she was, in her own words, “colleague zone.”
In the now-viral post, which has over 15.4 million views as of this writing, Julia wrote in the caption: “I sent a document to my boyfriend’s work email so he could print it and get the colleague zone.”
Julia had emailed her boyfriend a printable document and ended her note with, “I love you! Please print this for me! Thank you,” and a red heart emoji. To which he formally responded, “Julia, thank you for reaching out. I received your document and printed it on 8″ x 11 paper. I will give it to you later this afternoon for you to sign. Thank you.”
Of course, Julia responded like any bride would. “Are you going to break up with me?” she responded via email. To which he wrote: “Keeping things professional. Just wanted to confirm that I have followed up on your request. Best regards.”
Some speculated that their emails are probably monitored, hence the professionalism. “That’s a man who’s stuck at work,” one wrote. Others recognized the screenshots for what they are: something funny. And it turns out, apparently, a lot of people do this.
“My favorite time of year is when I email our HOA bill to my husband and he does this,” one wrote. “It’s like professional flirting.” Another added: “There’s something about the office that talking to your loved ones is so much fun.”
Julia is not the only one in the buddy zone. Another TikTok creator recently shared a screenshot of her text message exchanges with her husband, her “finance brother.”
“Just received the registration submission for HC 2026. We’ll have lunch or coffee again this weekend and discuss next year,” he texted. “Just sent to our Gmail so you can review it in advance.”
As professional boundaries blur and work continues to encroach on our personal lives, it can be easy to accidentally slip into office language when replying to a personal email or syncing calendars with your partner. You can go back to Thanksgiving plans or check which day the trash needs to be taken out.
Some go a step further and intentionally conduct monthly performance reviews of their romantic relationships, or discuss KPIs and OKRs with loved ones to align with future goals. It works for some. For others, it may be a crime that deserves dismissal.
As for Julia, to ease concerns about their relationship, she later shared screenshots of a follow-up text message exchange.
“I’m crying. I just looked at my phone for the first time in two hours. Lmao. Are your emails really monitored? Or were you just being stupid?” she asked.
Her boyfriend admitted: “No, they don’t control them at all. I was just being funny.”
Now entering: the companion area.