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moriah

(8,311 posts)
23. I don't want to be touched at ALL at work beyond a handshake. Biggest thing.
Thu Nov 16, 2017, 01:07 PM
Nov 2017

Because I have always worked around men, mostly young men, mostly men good with computers, often single, and don't believe in relationships with coworkers, it's a line for me.

It freaked me out when a coworker gave me a hug in the parking lot after listening to him vent about stuff. We were off the clock but still on work property -- I asked him not to do that because I didn't want people to get the wrong idea about our friendship.

I also don't want to be propositioned, jokingly or not. I'll usually start showing disinterest with an emulation of Daria getting aroused -- deadpan, totally toneless "Oh, baby. Oh, baby. Oh." Which takes care of the joking comments with a joke back, but clearly shows I'm not impressed.

The one time unwanted attention continued, it was because we were all stuck in a van together to go to a training site. I'd already indicated I was taken, but he wasn't paying attention. He also wanted to torture a young sheltered kid on the rollout -- a homeschooled Mormon. So when we were making good time and there was a sign for a XXX bookstore, he wanted to stop and the rest of the people aside from myself and Mormon Boy said they wanted to as well. The driver stopped.

I could have sat in the car. Could have contacted my supervisor who I was trying to impress with my independence and ability to handle anything. But decided instead to fix the root problem -- these guys obviously perceived me as fun to tease. I also didn't want the Mormon to be the one embarrassed in the store, and they'd have tortured him if he didn't go, and if I didn't go he would be the only target in there.

So I went in, went straight up to the BDSM section, and asked the store associate if I could take a look at their cat-o-nines, talking about this lovely buttery-soft one I'd used before and never been able to find the like (truth, heh). The store associate offered himself for demonstration purposes, though when he started to take off his shirt I said "Nah, it's okay, I'm more wanting to feel the weight, not see the stripes." (Wasn't going to encourage nudity.)

Then said none of them were really what I was looking for... but saw a little toy version, obviously not a real whip... "But I can't leave without buying something."

Bought the toy-sized cat-o--nine, clipped it to my keychain, and then acted like I hadn't thought all this would have created an audience... turned around, saw everyone watching, said, "Oh, you guys ready to go?"

They were. I kept the toy whip attached to my keychain until that guy departed for his route after training, which he seemed to take as a hint.

Anything over the flak jacket. n/t rzemanfl Nov 2017 #1
Become? marybourg Nov 2017 #2
Remember GW Bush rubbing Merkel's shoulder delisen Nov 2017 #3
What the fuck? Anything more than hand-to-hand contact does not belong in the workplace. DetlefK Nov 2017 #4
I don't like any touching or moving too close to me greymattermom Nov 2017 #5
Keep your hands to yourself underpants Nov 2017 #6
Keep your underpants on lads ! OnDoutside Nov 2017 #8
+ underpants Nov 2017 #12
I always keep a zone around me exboyfil Nov 2017 #7
"Women must always initiate hugs." RexCasual Nov 2017 #15
That is me exboyfil Nov 2017 #19
Actually, I agree with you. . . RexCasual Nov 2017 #25
That's a very convenient excuse LanternWaste Nov 2017 #33
Handshakes, unavoidable contact in a packed elevator, rubbing elbows while moving furniture, ... FarCenter Nov 2017 #9
Unintentional zipplewrath Nov 2017 #26
Men should treat women coworkers the same as they would other men. procon Nov 2017 #10
Any kind of physical contact. Aristus Nov 2017 #11
Dont do anything to a woman you wouldnt do to a man. nolabear Nov 2017 #13
Exactly... I am fairly well endowned.. HipChick Nov 2017 #14
Me too. The nuzzle, the back rub, the suggestive comment... nolabear Nov 2017 #16
Exactly...I always dressed down too.. HipChick Nov 2017 #18
I wonder where we go from here. How do we heal the past? nolabear Nov 2017 #22
Just so mcar Nov 2017 #32
In a business world-- anything more than shaking hands crazycatlady Nov 2017 #17
No physical contact whatsoever. BannonsLiver Nov 2017 #20
My take. Blue_true Nov 2017 #21
I don't want to be touched at ALL at work beyond a handshake. Biggest thing. moriah Nov 2017 #23
I have worked in law offices for nearly 40 years gratuitous Nov 2017 #24
Keep your hands to yourself a polite handshake is fine anything else is not TNLib Nov 2017 #27
Do NOT touch anyone without their approval or permission. Pathwalker Nov 2017 #28
Any personal physical contact that is not clearly wanted. MineralMan Nov 2017 #29
Hands shakes only. Regardless of gender roles. LanternWaste Nov 2017 #30
I am a male attorney that frequently works with female real estate agents Mr. Ected Nov 2017 #31
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