Since there has been a lot of feelings being spread lately about what is considered an okay way to nonverbally communicate and when it crosses the line to make people uncomfortable, I have come up with some general examples. It seems as though there are several people confused about what constitutes sexual harassment, so let me demonstrate.
1. Scenario One:
Handshake: Okay
Handshake and a surprise kiss: not okay
2. Scenario Two:
High five: great!
High fiving an ass: not so great...
3. Scenario Three:
Pat on the back: understandable
Pat on the chest: not understandable
4. Scenario Four:
Work-related compliments: All good
Sexually inappropriate comments: All wrong
5. Scenario Five:
Grabbing from the top shelf: Kind Gesture
Grabbing her right in the pussy: Not Kind Gesture
6. Scenario Six:
Inviting someone to a dinner party: Will try and make it
Excessively asking someone on a date: Will take different routes to avoid you
7. Scenario Seven:
Walking someone to their car: Not stalking
Following them home every day and looking in their windows: Stalking
8. Scenario Eight:
Calling up a friend: Not alarming
Leaving 30+ voicemails: Alarming
9. Scenario Nine:
Nicknames: Funny and Light
Name calling/slut-shaming: Not funny and degrading
10. Scenario Ten:
Helping someone take off their jacket: Acceptable
Forcing someone to take of their clothing: Not acceptable
11. Scenario Eleven:
Asking an employee to do extra tasks for a raise: Commitment
Making an employee engage in sexual tasks to keep their job: Coercion
12. Scenario Twelve:
Having controlled conversation: Respectable
Lashing out/threatening conversation: Not Respectable
13. Scenario Thirteen:
Consent: Sexy
Rape: A violation of someone's identity and bodyWhile some of these things hopefully made you laugh, that who could be so ignorant to not think that said gesture needs to be said as not okay. Well, all of these examples have occurred worldwide, even by our own leaders. It needs to be said because clearly if it is not said, it will happen and be seen as "okay" by predators.