What I'm trying to tell you is, and I believe the legal and HR "reality" back me up on this, that the vast majority of friendships struck up in the workplace do

What I'm trying to tell you is, and I believe the legal and HR "reality" back me up on this, that the vast majority of friendships struck up in the workplace do not lead to legal or HR headaches. Certainly this has been my experience, and nothing has changed in the past few years to make me change my mind. The people who should be afraid, and I'm glad if they now are, are the people who do regularly get up to, or cross, the line into inappropriate behavior. I say you are letting your fear of sensationalized stories, and/or general fear of the Other, lead you astray.