Leading by Example

July 21st, 2006

What was the President thinking when he gave a surprise backrub to German Chancellor Angela Merkel? You can watch the video clip here, and it is quite creepy.

He walks up behind her, and it appears that they exchange a look. As he passes he gives her shoulders a quick squeeze. It seems mostly harmless, but Merkel is quite surprised by this sneak attack, and her arms go up in response. Bush keeps walking.

There are two things that are making this incident a big deal:

1. The access and propagation of information on the Internet has become huge, and sites like YouTube have made it as easy to share video as it has to share text and images. Heck, even I’m jumping in.
2. Anyone that has ever watched an HR video on sexual harrasment in the workplace knows that the old back rub seems to be the first steps in a full-scale lawsuit.

I actually cringe whenever I see a man walk up behind a woman and start rubbing their shoulders. It has become so cliche to this situation, and I think I have been properly conditioned to avoid such situations at all cost.

Everybody keep their hands to themselves!

Entry Filed under: Current Events

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