Bad Press

[PiedPiper]

Perhaps a few TMF'ers, like myself, follow Slate magazine online,.. and would be familiar with Emily Yoffe's "Dear Prudence" advice column. Well, this morning she received a question from a young woman who was being frequently tickled by an older woman at her workplace. And she HATED it bigtime. There have been occasional references like this one in the news media from time to time, but there were a couple of quirky wrinkles to this one.

For one thing, the "workplace" was a business actually OWNED by the mother of the young woman receiving the tickle attacks, and she felt her mom probably wouldn't take the complaint seriously (although she made the "surprise tickle attacks" sound pretty damned determined, so I'm guessing we're seeing some kind of fetish manifestation) Even stranger, Yoffe's online column allows readers to email in their own comments/advice for the original plaintiff, and several of these had popped up. It was generally regarded as abusive, and one person characterized it as vaguely sexual. And to top if off, some of the recommendations (including that of Dear Prudence) mentioned physical violence as a possible and appropriate reaction/deterrent. Makes you think. I hope it's not one of us.

 

[Em Es]

Can you post a link to that?

Would like to see it.

 

[PiedPiper]

Sure....

Just go to www.slate.com and follow the navigation prompts. Emily is under the "Life" section,........ And just by the way, I heartily recommend Slate as an everyday read,......

 

[Em Es]

Thanks, PiedPiper

I just wish they made the comments section connect to each letter instead of making you scroll down for the responses you want to read.

 

[rhiannon]

And to top if off, some of the recommendations (including that of Dear Prudence) mentioned physical violence as a possible and appropriate reaction/deterrent.

I would recommend that too! If someone keeps tickling someone although they were told to back off, it's time for a swift punch in the teeth!

 

[Soda Bobinski]

I would recommend that too! If someone keeps tickling someone although they were told to back off, it's time for a swift punch in the teeth!

Yeah , but what if receiving swift punches to the choppers was that someone's fetish & tickling was their way of making that happen?

You'd only be succeeding in satiating their desires.

 

[milagros317]

It is abusive and would qualify as sexual harassment in the workplace.

 

[Adam]

It is abusive and would qualify as sexual harassment in the workplace.

Agreed. Though tickling provides obvious enjoyment for all of us, it should never be pushed on those who don't want it. To hell with non-con fantasies. This is the real world, and in this case, a place of business. Here's the question, pulled from the article, with response...

Q. Please Help Me—Tickling Co-Worker Problem!: This is going to sound like a ridiculous problem. I work part time at my mom's office, and one of my co-workers repeatedly tickles me. If I happen to be standing while sorting out documents or something, she will sneak up behind me and either poke or tickle my sides. It irritates the hell out of me as I am an extremely ticklish person. I usually burst into giggles and she seems to find this amusing. I have asked her to stop, politely and firmly, then angrily. She thinks the whole thing is a joke and doesn't take me seriously. I am the youngest employee here, and she does this only to me, maybe because she thinks it's a cute way of relating to the little girl who works at the office. I have to restrain myself from punching her in the face because it's been going on for several weeks. I can't exactly avoid her in a small office, either. When I told Mom how annoying this co-worker was, she didn't really respond, because, "Mom, Sally at work keeps tickling me" doesn't sound like a big problem. I'm thinking of quitting my job because this is so annoying and I HATE, HATE, HATE being tickled. Can you offer any advice on how to get her to stop?

A: This is not a little problem, this is abuse. I'm startled your mother wouldn't pull this co-worker aside and tell her to keep her mitts off her daughter. The next time Funny Fingers approaches you, say in a voice loud enough for those around you to hear, "Shirley, don't ever touch me again." If she lays a hand on you, you of course must do what you can to get away from her. You don't want to punch her in the face, but you are certainly free to elbow her away (yes, I expect to hear from the lawyers now) or stomp on her foot to protect yourself. If this doesn't stop the attacks, go to the boss. And if you have to, yes, find a job elsewhere.

 

[love feet]

grr to the press!.

 

[maniactickler]

Tell this lady about the TMF!

 

[PiedPiper]

Ummm,....

Tell this lady about the TMF!

....What makes you so sure she isn't right here among us as we speak? People seem to have a way of finding this place, eh?

 

[maniactickler]

....What makes you so sure she isn't right here among us as we speak? People seem to have a way of finding this place, eh?

Could be. im calling her out right now if shes here!

 

[WorkInProgress]

No, she's not here. This is a community of people who admit they have a tickling fetish and want appropriate channels for it. That woman is clearly not in that category.

 

[DontAskJusTckle]

She is very likely a member of this forum if she enjoys tickling to any degree. She probably lurks, reads the stories, checks out the art, etc.

I'm pretty sure this activity would qualify as harassment, but not necessarily sexual harassment, as nothing sexual is taking place, nor any quid pro quo.

 

[rhiannon]

I'm pretty sure this activity would qualify as harassment, but not necessarily sexual harassment

I wouldn't be too sure! Where I work, even touching someone on the shoulder can be perceived as sexual harrassment!

 

[OmahaTickler]

She is very likely a member of this forum if she enjoys tickling to any degree. She probably lurks, reads the stories, checks out the art, etc.

I'm pretty sure this activity would qualify as harassment, but not necessarily sexual harassment, as nothing sexual is taking place, nor any quid pro quo.

It might not be sexual, but it's legally simply assault -- not aggravated because no weapon was involved, but when you touch someone, if it's nonconsensual, you open yourself up to an assault charge. Whether the assailant gets a sexual thrill out of the contact is legally irrelevant.