At this job I used to have, one day several of the employees were talking about what kind of smell they liked. I said I liked the smell of the inside of a washing machine, then one male employee said, "is that like an aphrodisiac to you?"
I felt very uncomfortable. Does this count as work-place sexual harassment?
To me it sounded like a lousy attempt at a very bad joke. Trying to make the connection between you being Asian, and the stereotype of a Chinese laundromat/dry cleaners. I would say the awkwardness might have had more underlying feelings of confusion rather than harrasement? Or am I wrong?
As for HR departments, that could be the biggest oxymoron in all of the corporate world. They should be renamed INhuman resources, because most of the people that work there could be some of the most soulless emotionless people I've ever had the misfortune to meet. They really aren't "there for the employees" instead just an offshoot of the legal department so the company can cover its ass. I can't think of hearing even ONE positive experience someone has ever had dealing with HR...whether to get a job, or while they were on it. None.
I've also realized, if you have to go through any significant HR department to get a decent job.....chances are you have to be an unthinking, unmotivated sheep.....or be about as fake and disingenuous to score that job. They really aren't looking for "people", instead automatons with little hearts or interests away from the "company line". The standardized testing they put people through just to get an interview with whatever department manager are so absurd and oftentimes completely irrelevant to whatever the job entails.
