None of this was harassment.
Rude, disrespectful and even creepy in some instances? Yes!
But it was not harassment at this point
For it to have been harassment it has to fit specific criteria, which it clearly does not.
That really isn't the case.
While you seem to be looking at only how the person feels about what is directed towards them
(the only subjective portion), it still has to fit within defined criteria (parameters) to be harassment.
So while a person might not like being nicely told they are beautiful, it must meet specific parameters to be considered harassment. Whether that be legally, or just in general.
While the detailed definitions are always best, you can find abbreviated definitions who's word usage reflects that of the more detailed definitions.
Harassment has specific parameters in that it must be persistent, systematic and/or continued, as well as unwanted.
A single incident
(unless involving a crime), does not count as harassment.
And someone thinking they have been harassed doesn't mean they have been.
ha·rass (h-rs, hrs)
tr.v. ha·rassed, ha·rass·ing, ha·rass·es
1. To irritate or torment persistently.
harassment - definition of harassment by The Free Dictionary
ha·rass
verb \hə-ˈras; ˈher-əs, ˈha-rəs\
: to annoy or bother (someone) in a constant or repeated way
Harass - Definition and More from the Free Merriam-Webster Dictionary
harassment
(either harris-meant or huh-rass-meant) n.
the act of systematic and/or continued unwanted and annoying actions of one party or a group, including threats and demands. The purposes may vary, including racial prejudice, personal malice, an attempt to force someone to quit a job or grant sexual favors, apply illegal pressure to collect a bill, or merely gain sadistic pleasure from making someone fearful or anxious. Such activities may be the basis for a lawsuit if due to discrimination based on race or sex, a violation on the statutory limitations on collection agencies, involve revenge by an ex-spouse, or be shown to be a form of blackmail ("I'll stop bothering you, if you'll go to bed with me"). The victim may file a petition for a "stay away" (restraining) order, intended to prevent contact by the offensive party. A systematic pattern of harassment by an employee against another worker may subject the employer to a lawsuit for failure to protect the worker.
harassment legal definition of harassment
Had these guys done this to her every time she passed by them and she made it clear it was unwanted, then it would be harassment, even if they were giving her an actual compliment.
Neither would I.
The problem is that what is seen
could be harassment, it just isn't under these circumstances.
It wasn't persistent, it wasn't continuous and she didn't even make it known it was unwanted.
It was a one time incident from each of the individuals.
It can't even be said that any of the guys intended their behavior to be harassment or intimidation.
So here is the thing. If she lets them know their behavior is unwanted, even if it was just nice words, and they again do the same thing, they then have engaged in harassment.
As it is though, no.
None of them do.
See above replies.