Why do some women misconstrue compliments as sexual harassment in the work place?

: Why do some women misconstrue compliments as sexual harassment in the work place?
If you made the same tasteful compliments about the appearance of a male coworker it would not be considered sexual harassment. But as soon as you say anything to a female subordinate that is complimentary on her looks it is considered taboo. I don’t understand this phenomenon. Are these women really offended or just looking to get favors from the hr department?

Answers and Views:

Answer by .
women are opportunists and will screw you over in a heartbeat

Answer by Michael B – Repeal Prop. 8!
You mean like the “complements” Herman Caine gave to female subordinates? The workplace is not the place to be giving compliments on a female’s (or male’s) appearance. You are being paid to work. If it worries you, don’t do it.

Answer by Zombie Before It Was Fashionable
Probably because it’s sexual harassment. In your example, it’s not the words, it’s what lies behind the words. And unless you’re shooting a photo spread, why do you think it’s appropriate to comment on a woman’s physical appearance in the workplace?

Answer by cadisneygirl
There is a vibe some guys send out, esp how they look or talk or just react to women, that sends signals to women that make it seem like they have something more than just innocent compliments on their mind.

If you like the guy then it is a welcome vibe. If you dont like the guy then it becomes a creepy vibe. If he is much older than you, then it also can be a bit weird.

I dont mind compliments. In fact, I have no problem using a bit of innocent flirting as a way to create casual friendly relationships btwn people and will use it to my advantage (not in a bad way, very tamely) if I know I can get a guy to do something I want with that extra smile or touch on his arm.

However, if I get that creepy vibe from a guy then the compliments arent as welcomed. Also, if I get those signals from a guy, like he is undressing you with his eyes and yes guys girls do notice that, and he is married or he is in a position of authority where it might be uncomfortable, then I wont play off of it like I might with another guy.

Answer by Rick
If an attractive person made the same compliment it would not be sexual harassment. Yes she is offended that an unattractive person would make advances.

Answer by I have PMS and a gun
I get complimented daily by the men in my department. Given that I’m certainly not in my 20’s anymore, I am very flattered. None of them are being offensive at all.

Answer by Corrotion Potion
Misunderstanding the truth of compliments should be repented of. You and millions out there who are reading my comment as I type it should be apologizing to the men they wrongly banished and jailed for the imaginary crime of sexual vexation. Two words should be illegal, sexual and harassment, those two words are being misused and don’t even sound good together. I think there is someone out there who should have apologized for insulting me by saying, do you “know” thats “sexual har”ass”ment? I”fell” “disrespected”. What a disgrace to the human race she is that mentally retarded barista at the Enfield Mall, those two cops like her leave alot to be desired as everybody hear does who can’t keep their snide remarks about mens compliments to themselves. Always jumping to conclusions and making generalizations like, age,looks,choice of words,tone of voice, stranger, these are all excuses to make a problem where there should not be one, just feel self-justified and love Satan instead of God. A person like me should not have my right to be a customer stolen from me just because somebody listened to Lucifers lies about my compliments, so thats an excuse to unjustly banish me from a store and take away my right to be a customer that I should still be.

Answer by Corrotion Potion
Taking the speck out of mens eyes when they compliment your bosom,cleavage,etc. when you have a plank in your own is something to apologize for. This is something that should have never become a debate. There ought to be no debate here, alls Im looking at are a dozen or more women or so who possess the intelligence of a chimpanzee who have an iniquity to repent of that the legal system and the U.S. government and the world should apologize for and repent of to Jesus. Sincere apologies, not untruthful apologies,banishment,lawsuits,being fired, imprisonment, lied about was not the solution.The proper commonsense solution would have been forgiveness, mercy not passing judgement on someone and insulting them by lying to yourself,saying it’s supposedly unwanted,dont listen to Belial.