Originally Posted by BristolUK (Post 11744456)

A vista of a mountain and lake would be stunning. It's really the subject or contents of a photo that would be stunning, not the photo itself - although there are exceptions like the boy on the beach. So it is really a comment on her looks, though not meant to be offensive. It's actually a compliment.

But so is a wolf whistle although most women don't want - nor should get - that sort of attention.

Where his position is relevant is that we live in a world where one has to be careful how one acts and what is said. We have a better awareness of word use and how things may be interpreted. Casual racism, sexism is no longer tolerated.

Maybe this hits the news more in the UK where sports TV presenters have lost their jobs and others have got into trouble for using outdated language like 'coloured' or some such.

But there was a case in the US recently where a TV news presenter was reprimanded for comments he made about a female fighter pilot.

There are legal ramifications in the use of potentially prejudicial language/behaviour.

A senior lawyer really should have greater awareness.

Originally Posted by Jsmth321 (Post 11744513)

My wife doesn't see it as offensive or sexist, nor does a couple of female friends, suppose people don't all have the same definitions of what is and isn't offensive.

We need a book of rules so we know what to say, I'd have never thought a compliment would be offensive.


I don't compliment people and rarely even talk to people as I am not too keen on being around people, but seems best thing to do is not say anything beyond hi and bye to avoid potentially offending someone.

Originally Posted by Tirytory (Post 11744516)

Compliments in themselves aren't the problem- He could have complimented her on her work as a Human Rights lawyer- that would have been ok. It's the fact that it was based on looks rather than the fact that it was a compliment.

Originally Posted by Shard (Post 11744098)

Ok, the lawyer was being a bit creepy and should have known better, but the young lady could really have handled this better privately rather than publicly IMO. Definitely a case of pot, kettle.

Lawyer accused of sexism after complimenting barrister on 'stunning' LinkedIn picture - Telegraph

Originally Posted by Jsmth321 (Post 11744518)

Female co-workers have said things like:

"Nice haircut"

"you look nice today"

I wasn't offended. Those were based on looks and from female co-workers, so really is not clear why it's okay there, but the comment made in the original is not? If it's offensive to tell someone they look nice, or their photo looks nice, should be for all not just some.

Gay co-workers routinely said things like what this guy said, and female co-workers would do the same. Things like nice make up, nice hair.

I don't understand why a compliment of any sort is controversial, seems weird to me.

Suppose most here are not in the same life level as we are, and suppose that makes a difference, we are not well educated college graduates.

Originally Posted by Dorothy (Post 11744524)

There's a difference between "nice haircut" and "wow, that haircut makes you look smokin' hot!". Same as "you look nice today" is a whole lot different to "you look ****able today".

A compliment of any sort is not controversial. And while it may seem weird to you in the corporate world - such as where high profile lawyers work - the type of "compliment" this man made was inappropriate.

It doesn't matter what someone's education or life level (whatever that means) is. Complimenting someone you don't know, who is in a junior position to you, solely on their looks is inappropriate. Tell me how you think your wife would feel if some high ranking executive from the company she works for sent her an email saying "you look gorgeous today". I personally would find it offensive.

Originally Posted by Dorothy (Post 11744524)

There's a difference between "nice haircut" and "wow, that haircut makes you look smokin' hot!". Same as "you look nice today" is a whole lot different to "you look ****able today".

A compliment of any sort is not controversial. And while it may seem weird to you in the corporate world - such as where high profile lawyers work - the type of "compliment" this man made was inappropriate.

It doesn't matter what someone's education or life level (whatever that means) is. Complimenting someone you don't know, who is in a junior position to you, solely on their looks is inappropriate. Tell me how you think your wife would feel if some high ranking executive from the company she works for sent her an email saying "you look gorgeous today". I personally would find it offensive.

Originally Posted by Jsmth321 (Post 11744535)

The comment made in my view, my wife's view and 3 other people I have asked who are female have said it's not offensive, and they would not find it offensive, so it's unlikely there will be an agreement on this topic and will be split view.

Originally Posted by JamesM (Post 11744543)

The problem is the person the comment was made too took offence.

Given that she has written published papers on forced marriage, rape and revenge porn which are clearly shown on her LinkedIn profile you'd know that it is not a person who would take a comment like that likely.

It wouldn't bother a lot of people but still not necessarily something you should be sending someone on a website that is meant as an exchange of business expertise.

Originally Posted by Oink (Post 11744552)

Now she's moaning like naff, saying her career's buggered because she made this public. HID has a pretty decent job and is also fit so she gets comments from older creeps a lot but she ignores them, knowing that she wouldn't touch them with a ten foot pole and most of them will be dead in a few years.

Originally Posted by Alan2005 (Post 11744561)

What the hell did she think would happen?

For a pair of supposedly clever lawyers, they both seem to be a bit thick.

Originally Posted by Oink (Post 11744563)

For him to put it in writing and her making such a big public deal. Surely there are other more pressing cases of injustice for her to sink her teeth into?

Originally Posted by bats (Post 11744520)

What's with the apostrophised lady?