Friday, Nov. 22, 2002

12:21 a.m.

What do you do when the men at your work starts becoming more and more aggressive towards you? "You" would imply being a female.

First, they make themselves aware to you by yelling out, "Hi" to you every time you step into their eyesight, even peripherally. Is that even a word? Who cares. I can make up words as I please.

When you ask them for some help moving a big, heavy object or to finish up a work order, they reply by saying, "Anything for you. Anything."

They tell you everyday how nice you look, whether it's your hair or the way you're dressed. Sometimes they'll even sneak in something like, "You should be careful at night...I mean a cute thing like you....blah, blah, blah."

They tell you that you don't need to work out because you already look perfect in their minds.

Over time, it escalates a little more, to the point where one of them gets up the nerve to casually ask you out and you're left trying to figure out what the best, professional way to turn down the date is.

Someone secretly keeps leaving you little post-it notes to say hi and signing off with, "The King." It gets to the point where it becomes a bit annoying and bothersome.

You mention something about a boyfriend and the next day, they are asking you if you have any "available" girlfriends to introduce them to since you have made it clear that you are not on the market.

You uncomfortably think of a way to get around it without just saying, "No" because you don't want to be rude. But in reality, you know that none of your gfriends would be interested in his type and you're left in an awkward position, trying to figure out how to stay on top of things without jeopardizing the work relationship.

You mention your boyfriend's got a gig the following week and perhaps he's got some single gfriends that he could get to know. Yet, at the same time you wonder if it's even a good idea to invite him to afterwork events.

You ask him if he has certain preferences in a girl, only realizing, oops, that's not a good question to ask because you know he's going to say, "like you." And, of course, he laughs and says, "Well, with long hair....like yours." Which, leaves you feeling a bit uncomfortable.

The other men are around listening and then one jokes and says, "Ok, it's all done, ready to go for shipping. Now, what do I get?" You laugh and say, "You get a 'good job!'" The other men laugh and then one goes, "Oh...not a date?" And you're left not knowing what to say except laugh.

And what do you do when someone stands a bit too close to you for comfort, almost shoving their face within inches of yours? I only keep catching myself, slowly backing away, trying not to seem to obvious and yet, as you are trying to back away, that person seems to follow you closer.

Do any of these qualify as sexual harrassment in the work place?

I wish I had an invisble zapper so whenever someone nears too close, they'd get a little shock. And, if they have bad breath, an automatic breath spray would automatically squirt in their direction.

COMMENTS

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