What should I tell my colleague?

Question

I return to work tomorrow from the XMas holidays, and one thing I'm not looking forward to is seeing a particular colleage, who a week and a half ago asked whether I'd like to pose nude for her, holding a halibut, for her art course. This would require me in the nude for two hours on three evenings. She is a sensitive woman, and is demanding an answer. If I say no, she may be very upset.

Why bring sexual harrassment into this? She asked me to do something for her art, not for sex. Nudity doesn't necessarily imply sex you know.

Answer 1

If no implication of sex, sorry for you, mate! I woud prolly not refuse, unless I thought my self not up to the job.
And, also I would want to know what the feck, or where the feck I would be holding that damned fish!
That Cheeky Lad

Answer 2

If she is really a sensitive woman, she would not have asked you to pose nude for her in the first place.

Just say "no" and hand her a pamphlet about sexual harassment in the workplace. That way you won't know if she's upset because you said "no" or because of what she read in the pamphlet.

addendum:

I am well aware that nudity does not necessarily equate a sexual overture. I suggested the pamphlet to ensure she keeps a rein on whatever upset she might impose upon you. However, if you are fine with this woman having the power to make you squirm by her injudicious request, then by all means, ignore what I wrote.

Answer 3

I would just tell her the truth. Tell her that you are flattered of the fact she would like to paint/sculpt you whatever, but you are uncomfortable since you will be nude and feel it may affect your work relationship. If she was senstive, she probably wouldntve asked unless you were good friends. And if she is really demanding an answer, she isnt being respectful of the situation she put you in.

Good luck.

Answer 4

is tell her that you are very flattered by her request and your touched by it. tell her youve given it alot of thought over the holidays and you would really like to but at the moment your a little nervous as youve never done anythig like this before and your not too confident at the moment...tell her that in the future maybe but not just yet, thank her loads and your sorry for leaving it too long but youve been thinking long and hard

sometimes little white lies are nice...telling her youve been thinking alot, that you may do it in the future...but not yet

tell her your sorry but if you were a much more confident person about your body (not that you arent but she doesnt know that) that you would...

id take her to a quiet corner away from every one so shes not hurt even more wen shes let down in front of others...and it shows that you are really shy to dicuss it with other which then backs up your story,,,


hope that helps.x

Answer 5

you obviously sound uncomfortable with the idea so why not suggest a compromise. maybe you could keep your underwear on, seeing as she is an 'artist' she can fill in the details herself, if she says you must be nude let her know you are not prepared to go that far, you are not a professional model. she should understand and you shouldn't feel pressured into doing it.

i dont want to go over the top, but this sort of pressure can be seen as sort of sexual harrassment and intimidation.

Answer 6

Jut tell her that your pecker is humungous and not proportionate to your body and that it would jeopardize the balance of the art piece. Also recommend sourcing out another halibut model somewhere else, and that there are plenty other prospects on craigslyst ;)

Face it dude. She just wants to see your weenie. It's not like she's gonna sell it after. She's probably all creepy like that lady in the movie Misery. Maybe she'll hang the picture up in her room and google herself blind. You never know ;)

Answer 7

Just be honest-tell her you are not comfortable doing so. She might be upset, but she's the one asking you for a favor.
And find out why she wanted you to hold a halibut.

Answer 8

The sensitive part, okay, I understand, but then you write she is "demanding" an answer, which is pretty strong.

It's good you are considering her feelings, but in this case, as it seems to push past your boundaries, you need to tell her you're flattered she thought to ask you, but you would not feel comfortable posing with a fish or otherwise. Even if she continues to "push" you (we're artists...no one is looking at anything in a sexual way), you'll just need to ask her to respect your decision in this.

If you say yes to keep her happy, you're in trouble. Please stick by what you want in this.

Answer 9

You haven't said that you don't want to do it, but assuming that's the case, ask her to ask someone else because you would not feel comfortable with it.

You should have given her an answer before the Christmas holidays to avoid this and give her time to get over it or find someone else if she is that sensitive.

Answer 10

If you don't want to do it, just say no. She will be upset, but that's her issue, not yours. You're not responsible for how she deals with it. She'll get over it. She's resilient. Unless of course... SHE LIKES YOU... which is why she asked you in the first place... That's a whole different story!