Results: Is it ever okay to compliment appearance on the job? Have times changed?
On April 4, when President Barack Obama introduced California's Attorney General Kamala Harris as brilliant, dedicated, tough and "by far, the best looking attorney general in the country"; people started to question whether the compliment was sexist. Is it ever acceptable to compliment someone's physical appearance at the workplace? To find out the answer, Tellwut decided to create a survey on the topic and see what you think:
1.
1.
As a woman, how do you feel when a subordinate woman in the workplace compliments your appearance? I would accept it and I would feel good about it
52%
•
844 votes
I would feel uncomfortable receiveing a compliment on my look in the workplace but I would accept it
14%
•
234 votes
I would consider it as an issue. I don't believe it is appropriate to compliment someone's look in the workplace
8%
•
127 votes
N/A
24%
•
397 votes
Other (please specify)
2%
•
28 votes
| Other Answers | Percentage | Votes |
| 0.37% | 6 | |
| na | 0.31% | 5 |
| it really depends on what they say and how they say it | 0.06% | 1 |
| accept & go on w/ {work} life | 0.06% | 1 |
| notsure | 0.06% | 1 |
| he was lusting and inappropriate. | 0.06% | 1 |
| it depends on the person | 0.06% | 1 |
| i would except say thnx i always compliment anybody that look nice!! | 0.06% | 1 |
| depends on circumstance | 0.06% | 1 |
| accept it and move on | 0.06% | 1 |
| depends | 0.06% | 1 |
| it depends on the situation | 0.06% | 1 |
| n/a | 0.06% | 1 |
| it would all depend on how well i knew the person, their tone and what exactly they said. | 0.06% | 1 |
| sucking up | 0.06% | 1 |
| n/a i am not in the workforce | 0.06% | 1 |
| only if it keeps on going would it make me uncomfortable but everyone gets a pass first time | 0.06% | 1 |
| n/a, not employed. | 0.06% | 1 |
| it would depend on my personal relationship with that person. | 0.06% | 1 |
2.
2.
As a woman, how do you feel when a subordinate man in the workplace compliments your appearance? I would accept it and I would feel good about it
42%
•
687 votes
I would feel uncomfortable receiving a compliment on my look in the workplace but I would accept it
21%
•
344 votes
I would consider it as an issue. I don't believe it is appropriate to compliment someone's look in the workplace
9%
•
148 votes
N/A
25%
•
415 votes
Other (please specify)
2%
•
36 votes
| Other Answers | Percentage | Votes |
| 0.31% | 5 | |
| na | 0.25% | 4 |
| depends | 0.12% | 2 |
| it would depend on how it was delivered | 0.06% | 1 |
| notsure | 0.06% | 1 |
| as a women it makes you feel good when a man or anyone in general notices how nice you look. and i wouldnt take any other way unless the guy was all the time saying things or watching his facial expressions when he talk to me | 0.06% | 1 |
| it is never appropriate for a man to compliment a woman's appearance in the workplace. | 0.06% | 1 |
| depending on how elaborate the compliment got, i would just accept it. | 0.06% | 1 |
| depends on the situation | 0.06% | 1 |
| depends on who the man is/what he's like | 0.06% | 1 |
| it depends on how it was said and what | 0.06% | 1 |
| depends on circumstance | 0.06% | 1 |
| it depends | 0.06% | 1 |
| depends on the person and the compliment | 0.06% | 1 |
| depends on what they said, general complement is ok, specific or repeated complements are a no-no | 0.06% | 1 |
| accept it and move on | 0.06% | 1 |
| ok, unless it was something too personal or sexual. | 0.06% | 1 |
| depends on the man's intentions | 0.06% | 1 |
| it depends on the situation | 0.06% | 1 |
| it really depends on what they say and how they say it | 0.06% | 1 |
| n/a | 0.06% | 1 |
| it would all depend on how well i knew the person, their tone and what exactly they said. | 0.06% | 1 |
| n/a i am not in the workforce | 0.06% | 1 |
| these questions are stupid because it completely depends n the situation and the context. | 0.06% | 1 |
| only if he keeps on doing it would it become an issue but everyone gets a pass first time | 0.06% | 1 |
| n/a, not employed. | 0.06% | 1 |
| it would depend on my personal relationship with that person. | 0.06% | 1 |
| it depends on how it was presented | 0.06% | 1 |
3.
3.
As a woman, would the situation change if the woman in the workplace who compliments your appearance is your superior ? Yes
15%
•
238 votes
No
47%
•
758 votes
Undecided
14%
•
234 votes
N/A
25%
•
400 votes
4.
4.
As a woman, would the situation change if the man in the workplace who compliments your appearance is your superior? Yes
17%
•
270 votes
No
41%
•
665 votes
Undecided
18%
•
288 votes
N/A
25%
•
407 votes
5.
5.
As a man, how do you feel when a subordinate man in the workplace compliments your appearance? I would accept it and I would feel good about it
20%
•
329 votes
I would feel uncomfortable receiving a compliment on my look in the workplace but I would accept it
12%
•
202 votes
I would consider it as an issue. I don't believe it is appropriate to compliment someone's look in the workplace
8%
•
125 votes
N/A
59%
•
962 votes
Other (please specify)
1%
•
12 votes
| Other Answers | Percentage | Votes |
| 0.25% | 4 | |
| it would depend on the situation & who this person is. if i have known this person for awhile,i don't think i would mind. | 0.06% | 1 |
| other | 0.06% | 1 |
| n/a, not employed. | 0.06% | 1 |
| i'd accept it, but think they're sucking up. | 0.06% | 1 |
| no homo | 0.06% | 1 |
| don't know | 0.06% | 1 |
| as a man, i wouldn't want another man to compliment me no matter what! | 0.06% | 1 |
| not sure | 0.06% | 1 |
6.
6.
As a man, how do you feel when a subordinate women in the workplace compliments your appearance? I would accept it and I would feel good about it
23%
•
369 votes
I would feel uncomfortable receiving a compliment on my look in the workplace but I would accept it
11%
•
176 votes
I would consider it as an issue. I don't believe it is appropriate to compliment someone's look in the workplace
7%
•
106 votes
N/A
60%
•
974 votes
Other (please specify)
0%
•
5 votes
| Other Answers | Percentage | Votes |
| 0.12% | 2 | |
| again, i would give the same answer as my previous answer listed just above. | 0.06% | 1 |
| n/a, not employed. | 0.06% | 1 |
| i'd accept it, but wonder if they're flirting or sucking up. | 0.06% | 1 |
7.
7.
As a man, would the situation change if the woman in the workplace who compliments your appearance is your superior ? Yes
10%
•
157 votes
No
23%
•
372 votes
Undecided
12%
•
189 votes
N/A
56%
•
912 votes
8.
8.
As a man, would the situation change if the man in the workplace who compliments your appearance is your superior? Yes
11%
•
175 votes
No
22%
•
357 votes
Undecided
10%
•
170 votes
N/A
57%
•
928 votes
9.
9.
Do you feel that complimenting on the appearance in the workplace can change the work environment in a positive way or a negative way? Positive
42%
•
687 votes
Negative
15%
•
245 votes
Undecided
43%
•
698 votes
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