Everyone knows that The Office focuses on Dunder Mifflin Paper Company and its employees - but that isn't just about workplace interactions. Many of the characters end up in relationships with each other but they're not always meant to be - and that's where a lot of the comedy comes from.
With the show being set in a mockumentary style, the audience gets a closer look at how the relationships develop, without the characters always knowing they're being watched. Many prove to be right for each other, but on more than one occasion, personalities don't quite fit, creating couples who just aren't compatible.
Compatible
Jim And Pam
The love story that kept viewers hooked for ages, waiting for their eventual confirmed partnership in season 4. The undeniable compatibility came way before the two decided to get together. Even though Pam was with her fiancé, Roy, the chemistry with Jim was far stronger.
The two sat a few feet away from each other in their office, meaning they were able to constantly be in close contact with one another and the audience could pick up on their feelings, just from subtle looks. Their bonding was often through their pranks on Dwight, that proved they had the same sense of humor from the start, only developing into a close relationship that was patently right.
Michael And Holly
Michael had his fair share of romances that didn't pay off, not for lack of searching. He almost missed his opportunity with Holly because she came into a HR role, which Michael had a negative view of because he disliked Toby so much, an Office character that fans felt bad for.
However, his view quickly changed when she showed him attention. Holly wasn't dismissive of his strange habits, such as talking like Yoda from Star Wars, which she always reciprocated. When the pair broke up, Michael was heartbroken (as were viewers,) making their reunion even sweeter. Holly understood Michael and he evidently felt accepted and comfortable around her. Two things he only found with Holly.
Dwight And Angela
Dwight is perhaps the strangest character in the office, while Angela is a little odd but a lot more stoic. You would initially think that Dwight's way of living was too eccentric for Angela, but it only seemed to draw her in.
Their commonalities were in their work ethic and the simple fact that they couldn't keep their hands off each other. Usually, Dwight is devoid of emotion, but when he was suffering from the heartache of not being with Angela, his feelings were made abundantly clear as he sat in the stairwell crying. Similarly, Angela rarely cracked a smile, but it was Dwight's presence that forced a happy expression that she just couldn't help.
Bob And Phyllis
Interestingly, Bob isn't one of the most regular characters on the show. But the spark between him and Phyllis is always there whenever he makes an appearance and even sometimes when he doesn't.
Phyllis is very proud of her partner, often speaking about him in any conversation she can. Their faces light up when they're around each other, to an extent that can lead to uncomfortable and somewhat inappropriate situations (as Jim and Pam found out.) On Valentines Day in the office, Phyllis is inundated with flowers and gifts from Bob, which makes her even happier to know that he isn't afraid to openly express his love for her.
Jim And Karen
Just because a couple in The Office ultimately didn't stay together, it doesn't necessarily mean they weren't compatible. After Jim moved to a different branch of the company, he met Karen and they quickly hit it off.
Like Jim, Karen was up for jokes and japes, whilst still remaining a down-to-earth person. Her work ethic was strong and they both had goals for their own futures. Unfortunately, Karen was an Office character that just could never catch a break and Jim's heart was always with Pam, no matter how compatible he was with Karen or anyone else for that matter.
Incompatible
Michael And Jan
They were a turbulent couple from the off, but wrongly or rightly, Jan and Michael gave their relationship some time. As one of the company's higher ups, Jan wasn't allowed to be seeing Michael and she even admitted herself that she wasn't that into him. Yet somehow, they were always drawn to each other.
When they became an official couple, things went further downhill as Jan's controlling side kept coming to the surface, whilst Michael took on another job to fund her spending habits. Michael's desperate search for love was the strong glue that held them together, but Jan's materialism and Michael's childish ways were never going to work.
Pam And Roy
Roy and Pam are engaged from the start of the series. They both work at the same company, but Roy works in the warehouse. Pam's sweet personality is contrasting to Roy's boisterous mannerisms, with the pair having very little common ground.
Pam confesses that she tries to not burden Roy with her feelings, the one person she should be able to turn to. He seems to have no understanding for the things that Pam loves in life, nor is he interested in taking their relationship seriously. As well as this, there's the ongoing romance between Pam and Jim that develops and proves exactly what Pam wants in a longterm partner.
Andy And Angela
Very few people can compete with Michaels's relentless ridiculousness but Andy is a close match. After transferring from another branch of the company, Andy's energy floods the office, oftentimes much to his colleagues annoyance.
So it does come as a shock that he was able to become friends with Angela, let alone date her. She is very particular about almost everything in her life, with some standards that are unreachable for most normal people. Andy's constant, bouncy, persona is pretty overwhelming, so there was no way Angela would ever have been a good match for him.
Darryl And Kelly
Kelly and Darryl had a very short-lived relationship, which was probably beneficial to both of them as they weren't a blossoming romance. Kelly is known to be a gossip and high-maintenance person, focused on fashion and obsessing over potential partners, namely Ryan.
Darryl is the total opposite. He has a very laid-back attitude but is actually a professional character in The Office US. Kelly's intensity is too overpowering for him and it was plain to see that they both needed someone different.
Oscar And Robert
Robert and Oscar's relationship came about in an unsavory way, as their affair began as one of the most dramatic love triangles in The Office, involving Angela. As a senator, Robert chose not to tell Angela about Oscar, whilst also not wanting to reveal that he was gay.
Although Oscar was as much at fault in terms of having an affair behind someone else's back, it was made abundantly clear that Robert wasn't too bothered about his feelings, just as he didn't consider how Angela would feel. He abruptly dumps Oscar (and Angela) for another man, leaving Oscar upset. Oscar was far more invested in their relationship than Robert, who only cared about his public image.