Dear fellow Postgrads- please offer me your pearls of wisdom! I have been secretly seeing my mentor, with whom I was working late with a few nights ago. We were happily chatting about mixed effects models and sharing a bottle of wine when before we knew it, the mood became decidedly romantic. A rather inappropriate incident took place in what we thought was a deserted lab...how mistaken we were. A very alarmed and obviously hardworking young man ran out before we had the chance to talk to him. I don't know the fellow personally, only by sight and he seems extremely reclusive. Do I approach him to apologise or are things best left as if they never happenend, I don't want to antagonise him further? I'm very concerned this will get back to my supervisor- who can be a real unimaginative tyrant. Anyone been in this situation before?

Not quite sure if I understood this correctly. You've been working with your PhD or sex mentor?

Joke aside, don't talk to the other fellow. But learn from the incident and don't behave like an unprofessional idiot in the future. Imagine your little play time has been recorded on CCTV, then you're in real big trouble.

another affair with colleague.. the forum becomes so full of romance now.
I don't know about the english system, so what is a mentor?

I think this is a wind up....from mixed effects models to romance....statistics is NEVER sexy!

This is NOT a wind up!! honestly, i wish it was....but since you brought it up, stats can be very exciting and satisfying! Oh and a mentor is someone who acts in a supervisory capacity (NOT my project supervisor I might add, but an experienced PhD student I was assigned to for general guidance). Would you guys take offence if you walked in on someone getting fruity? So worried he makes a complaint.

What were you doing drinking wine in a lab? Is that allowed?

Yep, the 'booze' thing is arguably more serious. To put it bluntly you're a bit of a dic*head Ziggyvic.

Sounds like a wind up to me!!! Think you're writing yourself a little Mills & Boon novel there, Ziggy... SPSS = Soft Porn, Sexy Stats

I can't imagine that this is serious, but if it is... that is pretty stupid!!! Drinking wine and cavorting with colleagues - in work??? Isn't that what pubs are for???

hmm, then I think it is fine.. human beings at our age, healthy and energetic and full of sexual tension.., I wouldnot bother much about that. but it is an issue dating your mentor, always tricky romance with your colleague

You haven't done anything wrong, apart from maybe accidentally flashing. If I saw someone doing what you were doing (and I have, in the library) I would laugh and then forget it.

I'd be more concerned about the alcohol. Really can't see the huge deal with the mentor situation.

Hahaha! That's brilliant! Poor sod, you've probably given him a lot to think about over the next few days

Well, as for the booze thing, we all have fridges in our offices, and its pretty normal to find beer and wine in them. I got to a pretty alcoholic uni though, were every Christmas party/ end of term party/ seminar talks/ any excuse is fully catered for by the department! Good times...!

B.x

Ah yes - I recall a few gin and tonics drunk out of beakers...

Are there labs that don't keep alcohol in the fridge?

yes i must admit- the booze thing is definately not the issue here, my supervior is head of the building and a complete alcholic. I wasn't actually drinking in the lab, we were at my desk...I just took him in to see my samples...he must have been impressed i suppose !! I think all is ok though...I've seen the guy who caught us a couple of times and nothing has been said. Oh dear, I've learnt my lesson.