I (19f) have been working at this store for about a year. The coworker in question (24m) i have only ever at talked to at work and usually about the typical work gossip—nothing serious. He has on the occasion tried to ask me out with stuff like “oh I have alcohol at my apartment” but I’ve always brushed it off and have stated before that I have a boyfriend and even if I didn’t I do NOT date coworkers. He also has once put his hands on my shoulders to try and give me an unprompted massage but I again brushed him off and just tried to play it cool.
Well last week or so I was talking to him and another coworker about a customer who had really cool face piercings and just asked the two of them if I should get and eyebrow piercing or a lip piercing. Probably less than a minute convo. Later on in the middle of the night I get a message from him on Insta (we have never spoken on insta or outside of work) that does “do you wanna keep talking about your piercings lol.”
I felt personally gross about it and didn’t respond and just went to bed. The next day I saw him and didn’t really know how to react and just kinda avoided him. We don’t work in the same department of the store so it wasn’t very hard. I told a coworker I’m close to and would consider a friend about it and he said that the coworker that hit me up is a notorious “fuckboy” and is only ever trying to get his dick wet. He suggested telling a supervisor or manager but I’ve had experiences before where I’ve tried to tell them about some uncomfortable experiences with another older male coworker and all I got back was a “That doesn’t seem like him.” So I’m hesitant on EVER going back and confiding in them 😭 other coworkers too have mentioned to me how he has consistently talked about my looks or how he likes/wants me which also makes feel very icky as well.
The original coworker has been sort of been following me around, or looking at me weirdly which I understand to a point. We were once very busy in the store and he tried to stop me and ask “what’s wrong?” And I was super confused and frustrated that he was got in my way so I stormed off without a word.
I know I have to be responsible and probably further state my boundaries, but the general environment of my workplace has been very uncomfortable for me (and getting another job is not an option at this moment). I think I’m just very fed up with a lot of the ways I’ve interacted with coworkers and so my brain is just telling me to ignore ignore ignore in order to protect my peace.
AITA and has anyone ever delt with this?