Why do we want people we cannot have?

Question

Like say I liked someone who is older and I work with them. In my line of work you are not allowed to date a co-worker. But for some reason I have become addicted to wanting to talk to him.

Answer 1

We are no less subject to reciprocals that result from the Law of Reverse Effort than from anything else in this world.  

Consider this.  Why have we the people and things in our lives we do not want -- for example, the rule that says you are not allowed to date a co-worker?  You don't want or like that rule, and Voila! there it is -- big as day.  

An extreme aversion to or foreboding of something by someone or some thing draws the reverse of that aversion, because no voids can exist in nature.

Now, maybe if you wouldn't give a c**p about the rule (which in your own way you don't 'seem' to give a c**p), then maybe this explains your compulsion to talk to him.  Because you have the impulse, you have -- as you say -- the addiction.  You need only not completely give a c**p, and boom -- you would have him unequivocally and completely.

(Of course, in doing so you would risk losing your job -- for sooner or later someone would snitch -- Why?  Well, because they would privately know that they should 'not' snitch, which in turn abides that same law of reversals)

Answer 2

Maybe the fact that you can't have him makes you want him just that much more. Maybe, if you ask yourself, “Would I want him if I could have him?"  If so, and you think you're absolutely positive, does he have interest in you?  Why can't you date him?  There's no law against it, right?  If it's just a policy contingency, in a normal corporate world, all you have to do is disclose the relationship with HR.  Best Wishes!!