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gratuitous

(82,849 posts)

24. I have worked in law offices for nearly 40 years

Reply to tonyt53 (Original post)

Thu Nov 16, 2017, 01:13 PM

Nov 2017

I never initiate physical contact with anyone. If I'm introduced to someone and she puts out her hand for a handshake, I'll take her hand gently, shake twice, then release. If she doesn't offer her hand, I don't offer mine. Same goes for men. Otherwise, I don't ever touch another person in the office. There's no need to do that under ordinary circumstances, and I've read over too many sexual harassment pleadings and talked to too many litigants to see how banter and touching can appear very different in real life and when recited in the black-and-white of a court complaint.

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33 replies

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Highlight:

Got a question. What do you consider to be "out of bounds" when it comes to male - female contact? [View all] tonyt53 Nov 2017 OP

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