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More than a decade ago, Herman Cain headed the nation’s top lobbying group for the restaurant industry, an industry long known as having a sexual harassment problem.
Now Cain himself is accused of having sexually harassed two women during his tenure. The Republican presidential candidate and former CEO of Godfather’s Pizza says he was falsely accused of sexual harassment while at the National Restaurant Association. But the claims shed light on the susceptibility of the food services industry to cases of -- and allegations of -- inappropriate sexual behavior.
Of more than 400 discrimination suits and settlements reported by the federal government so far this year, 75 involved sexual harassment, and 26, or 37 percent, involved the food service industry, according to an msnbc.com review of data from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
“It’s a loosie-goosie, collegial environment in the food service industry, and that lends itself to sexual harassment,” said Beth Schroeder, an attorney with a focus on the restaurant industry for Silver Freedman in Los Angeles. The work force, she pointed out, is often transient, manager and employees often party together after work, and the industry is “still very, very male.”
The personality types the industry attracts may also be contributing to the problem.
“The restaurant industry is especially susceptible to incidents of sexual harassing behaviors due to certain social characteristics,” according to “Sexual Harassment in the Restaurant Industry,” a 2002 study by hospitality professors from the University of Southwestern Louisiana.
“The most obvious is that of restaurants attracting or recruiting employees with ‘outgoing personalities,’” the report said.
The authors asked employees at Louisiana restaurants whether they had experienced sexual harassment. About 30 percent of employees and 42 percent of female employees said they had.
You don’t have to look any further than your TV set to see the industry's penchant for hostile work environments, thanks to popular food shows such as "Hell’s Kitchen," where hard-nosed British chef Gordon Ramsay spends most of his time cursing young aspiring chefs.
In the real world, many workers, especially women, say they’ve experienced much worse.
A federal lawsuit filed by four women against Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse alleges that lewd behavior is rampant at the upscale restaurant chain and claims that women were denied equal advancement and pay.
According to the suit, which was recently allowed to add class-action claims, female employees “are frequently subjected to sexually hostile and demeaning treatment," including "unwelcome sexually charged ‘jokes’ and commentary, name-calling and physical touching. Senior management has both participated in creating this environment and been aware of many instances of it.”
On one occasion a former male vice president was overheard instructing his employees to hire some “T&A” (referring to a woman’s body parts) to work as bartenders, the suit charges.
Cheryl Henry, senior vice president and chief branding officer at Ruth’s Chris, said that she could not comment on pending litigation but that the company “does not tolerate discrimination of any kind in our family of restaurants."
Jonathan Hyman, an employment attorney with Kohrman Jackson & Krantz in Cleveland, said one could argue that restaurant workers generally know what they’re getting into in the high-pressure, male-dominated industry. He cited the "skimpy outfits" of Hooters and described Ruth's Chris as "a male-dominated, cigar kind of place.”
“Harassment is by definition unwelcome,” he noted.
But if women “are in on the joke and laughing” within a sexually charged environment, “it’s hard to say what’s unwelcome," he said.
Yet even if an industry may be more susceptible to overt sexual behavior, that doesn’t mean employers get a pass.
“The law is the law, and no employee, regardless of their gender, should have to endure sexual harassment at work,” said Christine Nazer, a spokeswoman for the EEOC.
“Sexual harassment can occur in any work environment, from the fields to the factory floor to the boardroom,” she said. “While most harassment of women is characterized by explicit sexual touching and remarks, harassment based on sex can also take the form of hostility toward the presence of women in the workplace.”
It’s difficult for women, in particular, to know how to navigate different company cultures and advance their careers. The issue has grown as more women have joined the work force in recent decades.
“This is a real problem for everybody, males as well as females, as to what the new rules of behavior are given that you’re likely to have as many men as women,” said Catherine Hakim, author of “Erotic Capital: The Power of Attraction in the Boardroom and the Bedroom.”
“Some people [are] going to be incredibly uptight, as other people would see it, and have strict views on what’s acceptable and what isn’t, and others have more relaxed views,” she said. “There’s always going to be some friction. That’s something that has to be worked out.”
Indeed, one of the plaintiffs in the Ruth's Chris case felt she ended up in a Catch-22 situation. Early in her career, Katharine Bush complained about what she deemed to be inappropriate sexual behavior on the part of a chef at one of the restaurants, and a general manager basically told her: “You are a big girl.”
Bush, who started out as a bookkeeper and was eventually promoted to regional sales manager but claims she was passed over for more senior positions because of her gender, said she later was fired for using the word “prick” in an e-mail.
“Granted, it wasn’t the best choice of words, but it did not warrant the termination because men committed and said worse things on many occasions,” she said.
Navigating sexuality in the workplace is complicated, Hakim said, especially when there are not always clear lines on what is acceptable.
It’s unclear what happened in Cain’s case. On Monday, he called the allegations a “witch hunt,” saying he has “never sexually harassed anyone.”
The big question that may now need to be asked of Cain, and of many employees and managers throughout the workplace, may be: What exactly constitutes sexual harassment?
Christina Pingaro contributed to this report.
Leave a Comment:
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Wow, I thought I could fix that 1st statement after I posted it.
Anyhow, "How about a big sausage on your hot pie"???
Is that harassment or upselling a pizza topping??
Don't be smug and a smart-a**.
Would anyone with any tact and self-dignity ask a restaurant patron that question (how it is phrased) in front of their own mother or sister?
It's called a double entenre, and a cleverly worded one with distinct meaning. Any man who heard it would do a double take and look at who asked it to see if there was a twinkle in the eye or a small smile or chuckle.
And, you're pretty ancient of a person if you still refer to a pizzie as a "pie." It's not the 1950s.
There is a huge difference between employees in a restaurant, and executives in a lobbying organization. Cain was in a lobbying organization, sat in an office, did NOT work in a restaurant setting at all. Office workers do NOT equal restaurant employee. I've worked in both areas, and office workers are much more stable and careful of their speech. Restaurant workers are usually young people and they can get quite wild. Sexual harassments in restaurants, of course, would be quite high. However, Cain was in an office setting, wore a suit, had business meetings, etc. Big difference.
Willow...I don't know about a big difference between restaurant workers and office workers...I've worked in both arenas...from management on down office workers can be possibly more predatory than restaurant workers. If someone sees a chance for a big payday they might just take it in either environment. Especially when they think it will result in an automatic payday instead of having to really prove something....particularly, when there has been a termination for cause, but it can also happen in the course of a burned out career. The shame is companies are too eager to settle instead of investigate. When they investigate they can generally ferret out fact from fiction which can result in vindication of someone who has been wrongfully accused or truly uncover a predator that is victimizing a person from a lesser power position.
In a case with a settlement with non-disclosure clauses in them . That non- disclosure applies to all parties. He Cain, May have had to say what he said till he could see how the non-disclosure clause applied to him in particular and what if anything he could disclose.
Cain - D9-D9-D9=Guilty, Hey mr. Pizza this is no joke, stop flip flopping on everything - Manup. This guy is tripping all over his lies.
TxMom -- the worst sexual harrassment I ever experienced (I was young, naive and the term hadn't even been invented yet!) was from the senior partner of a law firm where I worked. That man had duaghters older than I was. Much worse and 'predatory' (great description of it!) than anything in retail or any other place I've worked since.
I quite literally ended up moving out of state because he was vindictive enough when I did say something to make sure I wouldn't be able to work anywhere in that area in another law office.
Terelyn....Please don't think I said sexual harassment didn't exist. I'm disputing the fact that it is more prevalent in the restaurant industry than in white collar work. I am sorry that you had such a problem that you had to move and there was no recourse for you to maintain your livelihood. That is wrong on so many levels, but that is why we have harassment laws in this country. Unfortunately too many people are not taught or don't expect that sort of behavior and don't know what to do when it occurs. Unfortunately it is important to document everything. Lesson for all young people going into a job or career.... Have a diary you keep at home...
1) If you are uncomfortable with remarks or actions of a person...make a note in a diary at home...not in the office. Do not do this electronically, make manual notes with names, date and action. It could be that you will find the offense is not really an offense just a character trait...but until you know the person you really don't know their intent.
2) If there are inappropriate remarks directed at you or about you...discussions of those things that you cover with undergarments....Write down exactly what was said, when it was said, who said it and who witnessed it...
3) If someone is so bold as to touch in a way that makes you uncomfortable....tell them that makes you uncomfortable...one can always say, "I'm really not a touchy kind of person." then document this in your diary.
4) If someone makes a demand that is not a part of your job description or that is vulgar or threatening your job....Note it in the diary and take the notes of escalating behavior to the HR department.
No one needs to feel as if they are someones property or plaything simply because they work in a business. This includes anyone who is an authority or has a perceived sense of power by standing in the company. Unfortunately, we don't teach young women or young men how to protect themselves from these sorts of predators. No one should be sexually harassed, but then again no one should accuse someone of sexual harassment if none exists. Unfortunately, sexual harassment exists as does wrongful accusation. Unfortunately, their are predatory employees also that believe they can accommodate a manager or higher up if they add a bit of T&A to the mix. This predatory sleep to promote is not only damaging to the employee trying to move ahead by offering benefits but demeans every other employee in the company. This is why there are HR departments, Attorney Generals offices and others who are in place to determine who is the injured party. Settlements for accusations serve their purpose to make issues go away but if someone accepts a settlement instead of a public record then their right to come back later, even in the behalf of someone else goes away as if it never happened. People need to consider their actions very carefully because it can affect peoples lives and their ability to do their jobs, as you well know.
Again, I am sorry that the actions of one powerful man affected your so deeply. I do hope that you have regained your career and are back on the track you left. If you have daughters or sons or nieces or nephews then take it upon yourself to teach them how to cover their bases.
Well Dick that would be how you like a big sauage in your pizza would be harassment. Please don't try to make this harder ( Oppssssss did I sexualy harass you )
I don't know whether the charges against Cain are true or not, but the thing that troubles me most is that he completely denies any knowledge of the claims being filed, or of their being settled by an organization which he was heading at the time. Are we really supposed to believe he had no idea he was charged with sexual harassment, and if he didn't, is that supposed to inspire confidence in his abilities? He's either lying or stupid, neither of which are qualities I would want in a President.
If he had any sense, he would have just answered the charges by admitting they were filed (which they clearly were), but that he was innocent, and that the suits were settled, as so many others are every day, to avoid prolonged and expensive court battles. That's way more plausible than claiming he was oblivious.
Why don't you think about what the disclosure agreement might have dictated he said? Besides did you give a pass to Clinton with Paul, Monica, et. al.? Hypocrite?
I'm not defending Clinton or others but the difference is Cain's so called sexual harassment was not consensual. Cain had 10 days to prepare his response to the accusations but his first response was to deny any knowledge of the accusations.
You are right he did have ten days and its was "so-called." If I were he, I would request the Natl. Restaurant Assoc. formally ask the ladies involved to allow the settlement disclosure and the records on the matter to be released for all to see with the stipulation the ladies would not be liable and would be allowed to keep the settlements. If the ladies agree, then it is out in the open. If they don't, well it could be much contrived. How's that for a compromise.
As to Clinton being consensual, you must not be a proponent that using a position of power would result in sexual advances not being consensual.
The personality types the industry attracts may also be contributing to the problem.
“The restaurant industry is especially susceptible to incidents of sexual harassing behaviors due to certain social characteristics,” according to “Sexual Harassment in the Restaurant Industry,” a 2002 study by hospitality professors from the University of Southwestern Louisiana.
“The most obvious is that of restaurants attracting or recruiting employees with ‘outgoing personalities,’” the report said.
AS THIS ARTICLE SAYS, THE FOOD INDUSTRY ATTRACTS THE TYPE OF PEOPLE PRONE TO THIS BEHAVIOR. THIS DOES NOT FOREBODE WELL FOR CAIN'S PERSONALITY!
OMG. Taking a broad brush and equating an entire industry and every one in it as not having any ethical standards is the reason why aliens believe there is no intelligent life on earth. Thank you for hammering out that concept.
"Cain said to the two Lady's - Trick or Treat"
You know these days you surely better not say anything cause it cound be counted as sexual harassment. All you got todo is walk away from this and let the person no you don't go for that and if they try again then do what you'ev got too.
If Cain has nothing to hide, just come clean. Tell the NRA to give the report that says he "did nothing wrong" and this will most likely go away. Seems simple enough...
Cain, could resolve the whole problem by asking the Restaurant Association to waive the gag order on the case. If the cases had no merit, we would be able to determine that from the pretrial testimonies.
What concerns me is in one meeting he says teh accusations are false and then in the next he says, he has no knowledge of the charges. Which is it?
It is ironic that in many workplaces,where males are hesitant to speak to females in all but professional tones, some of the females (not all, of course) get familiar, touchy, crack jokes and even come from behind and massage your neck or shoulders.
All a very confusing environment for the male species.
Everyone wants to lighten the atmosphere and joke around sometimes. But, you never know when someone can suddenly seem to take offense, so you don't.
Of course, ANY workplace that demeans women or harrasses them is wrong and totally inappropriate. But, that is just one side of the story.
"All a very confusing environment for the male species."
yeah, but c'mon - that's just the way it is....
Strange, I've been in many work situations where there is absolutely no confusion over the matter. A woman getting "touchy" at work is absolutely inappropriate behaviour, and I have stopped that kind of behaviour in my team. Management is not doing its job.
Take it to a bar after work people!
Take it to the bar after work???? Apparently someone doesnt know that any function where employees gather after work can also be grounds for Sexual harrassement charges. The sad part is that sexual harrassement charges can be filed whether at work or off work. as long as both are employees of the same company. Heck, they can even be filed even if they dont work for the same company. Your poor judgement off site can be construed as a poor reflection on the company name. I have seen companies fire employees for the things they do when not at work or on company time.
As for Cain, if the women won't come forward with explicit claims, the whole issue is moot to me.
I disagree with Cain on political grounds;I won't judge his moral character based on a Whisper Campaign.
Sure we might get a serial sexual abuser for president ... just let all that sit in the background ... not very important... lol
In this country EVERYONE is innocent until proven guilty.
But, you knew that, right?
It's not that the women won't come forward; they can't according to the confidentiality agreements that were part of their settlement.
Michael Buie...The women received settlements if they talk they loose everything...often times companies will pay a settlement to get something like this behind them, even if the allegations are false.
Marlon, already had one, remember President Clinton?
Buie--
Your "innocent until proven guilty" comment does not give the full story. A person's innocence or guilt is a legal definition based on whether they were found guilty or not guilty of a crime (Note that a court doesn't find a defendant "innocent", but "not guilty."). It doesn't mean the person is factually innocent of wrongdoing until proven guilty, nor does it mean we, the people, must consider the person actually innocent.
If you owned a business and caught some guy red-handed stealing out of the till and he was arrested, is he "innocent", meaning he didn't commit the crime? No, the darn crook was robbing your business--that is a FACT. However, the government considers him innocent under the law--i.e. he isn't legally guilty of a crime and sentenced for punishment or restitutuion--until found guilty in a court of law. Presumed innocence under the law, however, doesn't mean YOU have to consider the crook innocent of wrongdoing. You can fire the guy and bar him from your place of business, give him a bad reference, whatever.
Likewise, if a politician is accused of doing something illegal or immoral, we don't all have to treat him as innocent--i.e like he didn't perform the illegal or immoral act--but we must allow the law to treat him "innocent"--i.e. he hasn't been found guilty of a crime in a court of law. We can judge the facts ourselves and take action as we believe warranted by the facts; e.g a politician charged with soliciting a male prostitute, or sending pictures of his crotch to young females, can be forced out of office before he is found guilty of any crime. And that's a totally appropriate action.
Unfortunately, in this case we don't have all the facts needed for us to come to any conclusions. True, Mr. Cain is not guilty of sexual harrassment at this time; i.e. he was not found guilty in a court of law of the crime of sexual harrassment. That doesn't mean that we can't ask for more facts and, based on those facts, form an opinion about his judgement and morality and take appropriate action, such as continue to support his candidacy, demand he withdraw his candidacy, or not vote for him.
What is disturbing in this case is the way in which Mr. Cain and his campaign has gone back and forth on some basic issues, like was he ever accused, did he know about the charges, did he know about the settlement? Just because he is legally considered innocent doesn't mean we shouldn't ask for more information about the story.
Ex,
What I mean is, unsubstantiated accusations do not constitute guilt in my book. Maybe yours, but not mine.
Everyone talks about non-disclosure agreements, like that matters. The simple fact is that the parties can revoke these NDA's if both parties are in agreement.
If Cain and his constituents were to release the women from their non-disclosure obligations then we could see what the women have to say. Otherwise, if they do not come forward then I assume that they don't feel that what Cain did was bad enough to compromise his political aspirations.
Our legal system presumes innocence, but I also tend to believe that where there is smoke there is fire. Cain has the ability to exonerate himself by opening up the issue to scrutiny. If he doesn't I will assume the worst.
Hang in there, Herman
It seems as you read down to the almost end of the article they actually say why one of the plaintiffs was fired...she used the word "prick" in an e-mail...but claims she had suffered sexual harassment..if so why not file suit before termination....who did she use the term toward...was she suited to the position she rose to or simply given promotions because she had signaled an interest to cause trouble...
Certainly we need to define sexual harassment for the courts but we also need to take payouts away from those who see it as an easy and convenient pay day. The women in the work place who are truly being harassed don't need to be further denigrated by opportunistic or greedy women.
You have just proven that you do not deserve the right to vote. You are too stupid. Read the article YOURSELF. This article had nothing to do with Cain's plantiffs. This was about the restaurant business overall. The case you are questioning was entirely seperate for the 2 charges against Cain.
and where in her post did txmom say anything about Cain? You might want to rethink who exactly is the stupid one.
I didn't say anything about Cain in this post...I just posted above where I said something about the Cain issue in response to another...but not here...all too often women who are not victims pretend to be victims to get a payout. This denigrates those who truly are stuck between a true SOB and a paycheck.
so differnet....do you vote?
What a joke...Ms. Bush thinks its OK to use the word "prick" in a email, imagine if a man used the word "pussy." What do you think would happen? Women love to throw around the sexual harassment allegations because they can. I bet more than 50% of this type of harassment is BS.
its not. i worked in restaurants from when i was 15 until i was 23. Women (they are mostly servers and bartenders) have it awful. between customers who ogle them and touch them inappropriately, to the frat boy mentality that persists in the kitchen, the sexual harrassment is way under-reported. Many women just accept it as part of working in the the business, even if it makes them uncomfortable.
Look, generally, I don't give a darn about someones personal sexual pecadillos. However, Mr. Cain has made the fact that he is a minister part of his campaign. He has made morality one of the cornerstones of his candidacy. As a result, he opened the door to this line of questioning. He's bascially being questioned on his credability. It's a reasonable line of questioning. You opened the door, we now have a right to know.
Does anyone really believe he can be accused of sexual harassment and not be aware of it. Cain knew what he did and stupidly he tried to hide it thinking it will just go away. If it is nothing, like he said, then be honest and allow the women to come forward. You can't have it both ways saying they are lying but not allowing them to tell their side and expect anyone to believe you.
I would love to see msnbc print a list of all politicians in office. And next to that list I would like to see a list of how many of these weasils have been accused of everything from drunk driving to fraud to sexual herrasment! I will bet that it is at a rate at least four times higher than the general population!
First he knew nothing about these claims...then he knew something...then he knew everything
Squirmin Herman may need to come up with a new price, I mean plan...May I suggest the 0-0-0 plan? No sense...No class... No morals
The Leftist press trying AGAIN to lend credance to democrat racist anti-black conservative baseless accusations
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Get off the taxpayer-funded Obamabus and get on the free market Cain Train
What nonsense, you seem to forget how the right's demagoguery of Obama from non citizen to being and Islam. Get honest but like Cain and the Republican/Teabaggers, you are incapable of telling the truth.
Hilarious - Cain may or may not have harrassed two women - Meanwhile Bill Clinton - THE DEMOCRAT HERO - Is known to have SAX in the whitehouse.....MANY TIMES as the Arkansas Governor with multiple women.
Dems stop snipping this good man - dont be afraid when he takes down your O'Bummer.
ssmike,
Here is one list, it goes back a ways and only shows major crimes.
http://washingtonindependent.com/377/members-of-congress-charged-with-a-crime-1798-2008
Nothing new here. This is what these people do. They seem convinced there is a directly proportionate relationship between the size of their egos and the size of their.... when the reality is its an inverse proportion, and most of them can't get it up without a bottle of tax-payer funded viagra anyways.
So, Herman-the-Vermin, why not just shock us, admit what you did, and move on. It's not like you've really got a chance anyways, but the show must go on, eh?
What the hell is Godfathers Pizza anyway? Where are they?
Two things come to mind here:
1st, many women enjoy this type of environment;
2nd, that does not give men, or if the shoe fits, women, the right to abuse them.
Unwanted sexual innuendo violates a persons privacy, and can have unwanted consequences.
My favorite local tavern has "Bikini Top Wednesdays" The waitresses instituted it over the owner's mis-givings in order to gain more mid-week business and tips. Who's harrassing who?
Brian, nothing is wrong with that as long as the owner makes it clear that this is entirely optional and allows opt-out by any waitress without any fear of reprisal. To protect his ass, I'd get it in writing too.
Then have at it. No harassment there. This is really basic crap, I can't beleive people are stupid enough to engage in harassment in the workplace these days.
In restaurant settings and bars waitress's and bar girls, or guys do face sexual harassment, however the majority of CEO's over chains such as God Fathers, or Denny's or any such large chains rarely if ever even go into the restaurant's. Their environment is a business office setting so we need to look at the sexual harassment data in that setting. This is an Apple and Oranges comparison.
what's ridiculous is psmnbc and the liberal media making more
out of this story than they did for Clinton and Weiner and other
demos who have done far worse with PROVE! and still said no big
deal! like Weiner! yet there is no proof of anything Cain did wrong
and he didn't try to hide it like Weiner who also lied about it then
came out and admitted and cried like a liberal whinny baby!
nothing but a bunch of HYPOCRITES! Why didn't they investigate
OBOMBO's pass with his radical activist Acorn Union Rev Wrong
Bill Ayers Terrorist background? oh what unbias great journalist!
and it's demos who have no morals anyway with abortion and gay
marriage and NO GOD anymore left wing liberal agendas!
Are you done spewing hate and lies Ervin?
Cain is not being accused of anything here. He has already been accused and the matter settled. What most people are disillusioned about is Cain's lying when confronted about the matter and his continued flip-flop statements made in less than 24 hours.
Everyone here knows you hate democrats and frankly don't care what you think. Sure Clinton lied and everyone in America knows it. That in no way excuses Cain for lying. So you go ahead and vote for whoever you wish but, most Americans don't like liars. Obviously you're an exception.
We also take note of your feelings about Democrats and their position regarding abortion and gay marriage. Well, perhaps you should read or listen to the conflicting statements made by Cain regarding these issues too. You should learn a little more about our Constitution, which is hardly a document written by Democrats. As it stands, the United States Supreme Court has upheld the position on these two subjects that the Democrats have taken. So, we can only assume that you are against the Supreme Court also. What I'd like to know is, just what do you believe in besides your own narrowed minded view of the world around you? You defend your position of one person only by pointing out the errors of others, and that my friend is just plain stupid.
Most people don't know that the ARA also owns nursing homes in the western states. I once worked at an ARA nursing home. (and their food isn't even that good, lol).
So why hasn't Gordon Ramsay been taken to task for his harassing behavior? For a person in the position of authority to be cursing people is very demeaning and hurtful to them; sure, a few Cro-Magnon bystanders may be entertained but such behavior, but it can cause serious psychological damage to the one being castigated before his or her fellow work crew and the much larger television audience as well. People who have been mistreated as such have been known to return to their workplace and wreak havoc in retribution (aka "going postal").
Good question. To some holding a door open for a female -- or even a male for that matter -- would constitute sexual harassment. And there is always the possibility the claims are totally bogus; that there wasn't an incident at all that could have even been construed as harassment any way you look at it.
For the unscrupulous, lawsuits are a fast track to wealth and security -- and if they can bring a big bucks lawsuit, whether their claims are founded or not, they'll do it. It only takes a few moments alone with the target of that bogus lawsuit; one can pass down an empty hallway with only the target of ones false claim and emerge at the other end claiming harassment and that's it; "it's her word against his," the teary actress will wrench a jury to believe her lies or we have a lawsuit that will be settled out-of-court.
Does anybody remember the movie "The Fortune Cookie" with Walter Matthau and Jack Lemmon? Now there is an excellent example of a bogus lawsuit.
Hogwash
I agree with Brian. That is bogus, and would not ever fly in court. However, is a co-worker informed you that they do not appreciate the door being held, just don't do it. They are obviously not worth it anyway.
I'd say 95% of the time it is very clear that something should not be said because it is reasonable to assume that it could easily be determined to be sexual harassment. In these cases, just avoid saying it. even if you think the other party will take it as a joke/how it is intended. There are plenty of collegial ways to interact with co-workers without interjecting sex into it.
Eve Tahmincioglu, thanx for aiding the communists with your article. It is totally worthless and typical of the communists when they know they are beaten...........they call you names. Eve, have you stopped cheating the government by not paying your taxes? Right, inappropriate question, just like you article leads people to the wrong conclusions. Why not apologize for this article and write about democrats, they'll provide much more valid smut for you to dredge up?
ARIFELIFE you really need to get a life or educate your self besides using color alone to elect a president.
"Cain was Born on fools day"