Awkward Kouhai - Ch. 2

[Cennekie]

@OnlyTruth A woman staring at a man's d*ck has no complaints at all but when a man stares at a woman or any part of the body it's already sexual harassment

 

[IShallReadTheHeavens]

@weyr I don't understand your logic. I've seen several mangakas have their female characters claim "sexual harassment" because of an honest or offhanded compliment so they can hide their embarrassment. It wasn't meant to be taken literally since the mangakas usually show the females liking or even wanting recognition.

Your intent matters as much their impression. Your doctor isn't sexually harassing you if they inform you that your arm is fine, or your leg looks good during a checkup. In the same vein, your intent shouldn't be disregarded if you, by accident, negatively affect someone.

I've read the argument only the impact matters, not the intent. That's hogwash. If you have good intentions, you show them through your actions, not empty words. So, if you act well-meaning and genuinely compliment a woman's hair, you shouldn't face being labeled wholesale as a sexual harasser if she doesn't like it. You should be able to apologize and discuss the boundaries of what can be said freely as to not discomfort them. People make mistakes. Why not allow people to correct their mistakes?

In short, don't make assumptions, and if you have a problem with something, discuss it and then act. You won't incorrectly label someone or their actions and no one will hurt the innocent.

 

[Wonderlands]

i

I think the reason why comments on her hairstyle can be considered as sexual harassment is because they were "an unsolicited appraisal of another person's physical appearance" which is an overt expression of the fact that he was ogling her, i.e. objectifying her.

While saying "ponytail definitely suits you" is miles away from something like "those are damn fine tits" it's still well within the realm of objectification and some people may still feel uncomfortable hearing it.

In short, saying compliments based on another person's physical appearance is practically a less obvious form of catcalling and should be avoided in most cases.

bet you’re real fun at parties (like fr i want somebody that can just explain things like this to me)