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Interpersonal Relationships
Now we are going to check out some of the most interesting relationships in the show to check out how these different communication styles combine and adapt to one another.
Michael and Holly- Michael and Holly are very similar: goofy, self-conscious, and always looking for a laugh. Holly replaces Toby as the new HR representative in Goodbye, Toby and she and Michael begin dating the following autumn. When the company finds out that they are a couple, David Wallace sends Holly to the Nashua Branch. This puts the end to their relatonship. Their communication is natural, expressive and assertive.
Michael and Jan- Michael and Jan have a difficult, unstable relationship that is complicated by Michael's lack of intelligence and Jan's moody behaviour. The two got together on a trip to Sandals, Jamaica in "Back from Vacation”, and split up after a violent Dinner Party at Michael's in Season 4.
After they broke up, Jan became pregnant via sperm donor and gave birth to a child named Astrid. For a moment after learning about the child's birth, Michael appeared willing to re-open the relationship, but he ultimately did not explore that possibility. Their communication is definitely known for being awkward.
Michael and Dwight- Dwight refers to Michael as "the one person I have been hired to protect." Because of his authoritative personality, Dwight worships his boss. He sees Michael as a means to an end, and thus bends over backward trying to please him. Dwight is always the first to jump in on Michael's hare-brained schemes but to the contrary of his ideas isn't really the number one in Michael's eyes (Jim Halpert and Ryan Howard seem to come before him).Their communication is direct and assertive in a way.
Dwight and Angela- Dwight and Angela carried on a secret office affair for a long time. The viewer doesn’t really know when this relationship starts, but it can be assumed to be in the middle of season 2. In the first episode of the show, Dwight is seen singing Little Drummer Boy, Angela’s favorite song. They kept their relationship a secret due at least in part to Angela's desire not to be the subject of scrutiny by the rest of the office. Their communication can be the funniest of them all, they are similar profiles but on their very own way. Direct, precise and clear but definitely awkward as well.
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