Is the receptionist flirting with me? Ok to ask her out?

[curiousbro]

So for the past few weeks I've been going to physical therapy for an ankle sprain and I think?? the receptionist has been flirting with me but I'm not completely sure it's not just her being nice to patients as it's her job. (I'm 24, she's 25 as she even mentioned this to me in my first visit when filling out paperwork etc.) 

 

I guess my question is it okay or taboo for me to ask her out, and if it is when's the best way to approach it? The other problem is timing can be awkward because about half of the time she's occupied with another patient or on the phone when I come in and leave and there's no real need for me to talk to her because of the automated checkin kiosk. Whenever she's not occupied though she's made these short super friendly comments but we also haven't had any extended conversation so again I'm not sure if I'm taking this the wrong way. 

[Sony12]

1 minute ago, curiousbro said:

So for the past few weeks I've been going to physical therapy for an ankle sprain and I think?? the receptionist has been flirting with me but I'm not completely sure it's not just her being nice to patients as it's her job. (I'm 24, she's 25 as she even mentioned this to me in my first visit when filling out paperwork etc.) 

 

I guess my question is it okay or taboo for me to ask her out, and if it is when's the best way to approach it? The other problem is timing can be awkward because about half of the time she's occupied with another patient or on the phone when I come in and leave and there's no real need for me to talk to her because of the automated checkin kiosk. Whenever she's not occupied though she's made these short super friendly comments but we also haven't had any extended conversation so again I'm not sure if I'm taking this the wrong way. 

Feel free to ask her out if you'd like but don't get your hopes up. Most people in those types of roles act that way with a lot of the customers. They are just trying to be nice and give the appearance that it is a friendly location to come to.

[curiousbro]

1 minute ago, Sony12 said:

Feel free to ask her out if you'd like but don't get your hopes up. Most people in those types of roles act that way with a lot of the customers. They are just trying to be nice and give the appearance that it is a friendly location to come to.

Yea that's what I figured it just seems like something a little more to me and I'm just not sure if it's a socially acceptable thing for me to do/make it awkward when I go to PT.

[Sanch62]

1 hour ago, curiousbro said:

I'm just not sure if it's a socially acceptable thing for me to do/make it awkward when I go to PT.

These are two different things. Yes, it's socially acceptable to ask for a date, but if a rejection would harm your perception of your PT as a neutral and relaxing place to go for your physical work, then maybe wait until you're nearly done with your therapy first.

While it's true that it's part of the job of a receptionist to offer a welcoming reception to visitors, it's also true that this positions them to get hit on a lot. So I'd zero in on my own comfort versus discomfort with facing possible rejection, and I'd time my request accordingly. If you're already on your way out, then there's no harm or foul in asking.

[curiousbro]

8 hours ago, Sanch62 said:

These are two different things. Yes, it's socially acceptable to ask for a date, but if a rejection would harm your perception of your PT as a neutral and relaxing place to go for your physical work, then maybe wait until you're nearly done with your therapy first.

While it's true that it's part of the job of a receptionist to offer a welcoming reception to visitors, it's also true that this positions them to get hit on a lot. So I'd zero in on my own comfort versus discomfort with facing possible rejection, and I'd time my request accordingly. If you're already on your way out, then there's no harm or foul in asking.

Yea I've been thinking the same thing as to just do it in my last session to avoid awkwardness if rejected. Also understand she'd probably be in the position to get hit on a lot and I wouldn't think about it if I didn't think I was getting that feeling back.

[enterthevoid]

I dislike the power dynamic of asking someone out at their job.  They're in a position where they can't do anything to hurt the customer's feelings and they can't avoid them.