It’s a spectrum.

Hi = ok
Nice shoes = ok
Nice tits = ease up
Wanna hump uglies? = no

Anonymous wrote:Rule of thumb: “You look ______” (nice, beautiful, tired) = never ok
“I like your _______” (shoes, haircut, scarf) = fine

but not if you're a man and say this every day only to female colleagues.

It's not sexual harassment legally, but you shouldn't do it. Particularly if you're a man commenting on young women.

Rule of thumb: “You look ______” (nice, beautiful, tired) = never ok
“I like your _______” (shoes, haircut, scarf) = fine

Anonymous wrote:If you need to ask....don’t do it.
I compliment other women on their clothes, or noticing a new haircut. I never comment on a man’s appearance. And, when I think back to times that men have commented on my clothes or appearance, it’s always been a little weird. Like, that’s what you’re noticing about me?

I pretty much do tgis except i will comment on men if i havent seen then in a while and they’ve had a pretty dramatic change for the better.

Anonymous wrote:That should have said “you look nice today.”

+1

Saying “you look great today” or “nice haircut” or “I love your shirt” is normal. If someone told me in a work context that I looked beautiful I’d find it really weird. It’s too much.

Anonymous wrote:All depends on the context. More information needed. You might also consider whether it creates a hostile work environment (which is separate from harassment per se), but again more context needed.

Hostile work environment is a form of sexual harassment. (The other form is called "quid pro quo" which means that the harasser asked for something, ie, a situation in which sexual favors or actions are demanded in exchange for keeping a job.)

HWE has to be pervasive and severe in order to exist. Telling someone they look great doesn't rise to that standard. However, a cautious person would be wise to think about his or her actions in today's workplace. Giving out compliments and being an effusive person might not be a wise idea.

If you need to ask....don’t do it.
I compliment other women on their clothes, or noticing a new haircut. I never comment on a man’s appearance. And, when I think back to times that men have commented on my clothes or appearance, it’s always been a little weird. Like, that’s what you’re noticing about me?

That should have said “you look nice today.”

I just had to take my yearly sexual harassment training as a Fed and if I recall I think a one off comment is “ok” but if it continues that could be a problem. Personally I would not use the word beautiful and might say something like “you love ok nice today”.

No, but that doesn’t make it welcome, either. When I’m going about my day morning my business, especially at work, I just don’t want anyone to comment on my looks.

Anonymous wrote:All depends on the context. More information needed. You might also consider whether it creates a hostile work environment (which is separate from harassment per se), but again more context needed.

If someone has put extra effort into their appearance/got a dramatic haircut or something similar I will say it. It's always very spontaneous and doesn't happen a lot or with the same person.

All depends on the context. More information needed. You might also consider whether it creates a hostile work environment (which is separate from harassment per se), but again more context needed.

I am an effusive and very social person, and work in a very busy environment - lots of coming and going and conversation throughout the day. Sometimes I'll tell someone they look beautiful, but I worry this might be misconstrued as sexual harassment. (FWIW I say it openly - I don't pull people aside and say this - and in passing. Also I am a woman.)