Erin in the Office is just like I was six years ago. Kind, innocent, simple, always wanting to help everyone. When she’s wronged, she stays quiet and watches.

It’s clear she’s never had proper support. And especially when men throw themselves at her, pressuring her to date or marry them, she politely rejects them but doesn’t resist. She knows resistance is useless, because she’s tried it before and it changed nothing.

People exploit her kindness and solitude. Yet when she meets the right person—Pete—her life improves, her confidence rises, and she stands her ground before others.

Even when Kevin wants to date her, and Michael urges Erin to go out with Kevin, she agrees with a disinterested shrug. But she does it, anyway.

When she tells Michael she likes Andy, and Michael tells Kevin he has no chance with Erin, Kevin begins insulting her. But Erin says nothing. She simply stares at him in utter disbelief. The difference between Erin and girls like her compared to other girls is that they give everyone a chance, yet they never look back, never grant someone a second opportunity.

For instance, she can hardly believe that Andy likes her. And if you pay attention, Erin is more sought after than any other girl in the office—by most men, or perhaps I should say, by every man close to her age.