Sexual Harassment Stories and Experiences

SMV, Washington DC

     I was working as a hostess in 2006 at a fine dining Southwestern restaurant in Washington DC that had been in business for 15 years.  Besides being unfathomably rude and utterly chauvenistic, the General Manager of the restaurant (at the time) was very touchy feely. Like myself, he was hispanic and because of that I thought that maybe he seemed to relate to me and have a liking towards me in an authoritative manner.

     Unfortuantely that was not the case. A couple weeks before the establishment went out of business, he started making suggestive comments in a sexual way and I was uncomfortable with it. Due to the knowledge that the establishment was going to close soon, I decided not to complain or take action in regards to the discomfort I felt. There were several times when this “General Manager” of mine approached me and told me I had a gorgeous smile, or that I looked good that day. He would grab my hand tightly or touch my back or shoulders in what I felt was a sexual way.

    One day, he asked me some questions like, “What is your favorite color?” “What is your favorite body of water?” I answered his questions, thinking he was just trying to kill time because business was slow that day. Based on my responses, he told me he would evaluate and analyze me from what he observed. I was shocked and repulsed by what he said thereafter. He told me that from what he saw, I was not too experienced sexually. He kept speaking after that, but those words resonated within me.

     Many a time had he done this, and I begrudgingly tolerated it. I heard his unnecessary comments time after time with the embarrassing realization of what was really underlying. A few co-workers witnessed what I had experienced but were afraid to speak up, as I had been. Yes, we all know that it is very typical nowadays for society to be wrapped up in what is “politically correct.” In many situations, one can possibly misinterpret or misunderstand another individual. But this was absolutely not misinterpreted or misunderstood. The incident was indefinitely inappropriate. It was uncalled for, abusive, and just outright grotesque. Under no circumstances, whether it be in a working or casual environment, should any sort of such conduct take place.

     Not only have I learned to value myself more, but  I have also identified that I deserve better than such insensitive treatment.  Respect is essential in every kind of relationship. We, as human beings, should not only give respect but demand it.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, February 28th, 2007 at 5:12 pm and is filed under Sexual Harassment in the Workplace. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.