Very often, even against your nature or good senses, you may get dragged into a controversy at work. Very quickly pull free and vanish from the site of crime. Creating trouble in the workplace could well be classified as crime.

Whether you like it or not, there will be a few co-workers who like to make trouble for others and themselves. Be cool and calm while maintaining a safe distance from them.

Ruffling their feathers may not be such a good idea either. Find the middle path and strike a balance.

Keep the desk top holy?

Not wholly correct. While a few personal pictures and a deity may be acceptable, converting your desktop to a veritable altar of sorts may be in poor taste. Especially when accompanied by noisy, obvious rites and rituals too.

See that your sentiments do not cause hurt and conflict to others.

Try a vase of flowers instead. Apart from the minimum memorabilia and sacred pictures, flowers can impart peace to all.

Office friendships

It is quite natural for people who work together to become friends. But a word of caution: avoid forming friendships only with those above you in the office hierarchy.

Getting friendly only with the boss will make you appear opportunistic.

If you work in a small office and some of you are going out together after work, include other employees as often as possible.

They may not accept your invitation, but at least they won't feel excluded.

Remember to invite the boss. He or she may not want to be left out too!

Never refer to your assistant as "My girl" or "My boy", as in "Get your girl to fix an appointment for me."

This is offensive and humiliating.