men hitting on me at work
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

Dear Men Twice My Age, Flirting With Me At Work Is Not Appreciated, So Stop

My job is not for you to practice your flirting.

86
man flirting with woman at work
https://unsplash.com/photos/g8bqFDerlLA

This summer will mark the fourth year I've been in the customer service industry and it's easily become something I love. I'm a people person so I don't have trouble talking to endless customers and trying to make their time in my store the best part of their day. My managers often say I have a knack for customer service because of my easy smile, cheery voice and good eye contact.

While it makes for a great customer experience, many people like to abuse my willingness to put the customer first, men in particular.

Please do not try to flirt with me while I'm at work.

While it may be funny or I may be portrayed as a vain person for saying his, I often feel harassed and scared by some of the experiences I've had with men of all ages in my customer service jobs.

Just because I'm paid to stand behind a counter and be nice to you does not mean you can take advantage of my position to boost your self-esteem or love life.

While you may see it as a compliment to hit on me when I'm in an unflattering uniform or even something that will pass the time on my long shift, you're wrong. I feel trapped between upholding the excellent customer service I'm required to provide and what I see on the news about women being attacked for simply saying no to a flirting man.

My most recent uncomfortable experience led to the customers who witnessed it asking if I was OK and if they needed me to call the police. One man, after making sure I was OK, called the store about 20 minutes later to make sure I "hadn't been snatched or harmed."

The grocery store is not your personal playground to test out your flirting techniques on an innocent cashier. It's not a place to force your number on her or beg her to reciprocate the creepy interaction you're trying to force on her.

It's not a place for you to corner a girl half your age and enact your sick pedophilic fantasies on her while she's trying to work.

After telling some people about these interactions, they ask why I don't call my manager or simply refuse service. It's not that easy. The world has conditioned women to accept what comes to them no matter what, either for fear of their life or simply because of the image women are supposed to have in this society.

I believe in my own strength and ability to defend myself, but when placed in a position where I'm cornered and trained to give perfect customer service, it's hard to do anything more than accept the harassment.

Do not flirt with me when I'm at work.

Take your groceries and go. Create a dating website account and get your kicks there. My job is for nothing more than a brief customer service experience.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
​a woman sitting at a table having a coffee
nappy.co

I can't say "thank you" enough to express how grateful I am for you coming into my life. You have made such a huge impact on my life. I would not be the person I am today without you and I know that you will keep inspiring me to become an even better version of myself.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

82833
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

50097
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

983139
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments