Smells Like Sexual Harassment
My co-worker makes comments about my scent. What should I do?
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Dear Prudie,
A co-worker of mine never fails to mention my perfume when he stops by my office. This would be no big deal, but I can't help being slightly skeeved out by the "I could just stand here and smell you all day," "Your smell is what gets me through the day" type commentary. Even writing that was difficult, it strikes me as so creepy! I realize that he could just be awkwardly trying to make conversation, and I can handle it if this is as far as it goes. But I don't want to look back and say to myself, "The warning signs were all there!" after something more insidious occurs.
—Fragrant
Dear Fragrant,
I detect a top note of sexual harassment. Your co-worker's behavior stinks and you have to put an end to it. The next time Mr. Olfactory Gland stops at your door, sniffs the air like a basset hound on the scent of a rabbit, and mentions how your aroma keeps him going, look up and say coolly, "I'd appreciate it if you'd immediately stop making such personal remarks." If that doesn't shape him up, keep notes about his behavior, then go to your human resources department or his boss and explain how his comments are poisoning the atmosphere.
—Prudie
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Dear Prudence,
I've been happily married to my wife for 10 years. She is a very nice, easygoing, even-tempered lady. I know women tend to be more emotional around that time of the month, but occasionally she turns into a completely different person. I don't just mean crying or getting angry over petty things. I mean she suddenly becomes physically violent toward me, cries like someone might cry when told about a death in the family, and so on. In the past, I ignored these episodes, mostly because afterward she is apologetic and seems genuinely sorry. The last one, however, really scared me. After a normal evening together, she became moody, then suddenly burst into hysterical tears and locked herself in the bathroom. I had no idea what was going on, so I tried getting her to tell me. She kept saying she wanted "it" to go away, but wouldn't explain what "it" was. After I picked the lock, I tried comforting her, but she demanded that I leave. I eventually did. The next day, when she was better, she admitted sneaking into the kitchen and cutting herself with a knife! I really don't know what to do!! Her episodes happen infrequently, so I don't want to be an alarmist. Her family doesn't know and I don't know how to tell them without freaking everyone out. Is this normal hormonal behavior? If not, how do I tell people without them thinking she is crazy? I love my wife and know she is sane, but I'm scared that one day I won't know what is wrong and she'll do something drastic.
—Concerned Husband
Dear Concerned,
You may not want to be alarmist, but I do. You have a wife who episodically becomes violent against you and herself, who is hallucinating, and who gets hysterical. She needs a medical and psychiatric evaluation right away. Once you have a better understanding of what is going on, then you can talk to her family about what you've found out. If your wife refuses to get help, then you should enlist them to convince her that she needs to seek professional care. You know you're in a serious situation when you worry that she may be on the verge of doing herself (or you) real harm.
—Prudie
Photograph of Prudie by David Plotz.


