Just say no!
Of course, the Aziz Ansari "date debacle" (or whatever it was) was not a workplace harassment situation. First, Mr. Ansari and his anonymous date were not co-workers. Second, Mr. Ansari may have been "forward," but it doesn't sound to me like he sexually harassed or assaulted her.
Aziz Ansari: "What'd I do?"
None of which is to deny that his behavior may have been genuinely offensive to her. If she was hoping for a relationship and he was looking for a quick score, then I can understand why she would have been disappointed and hurt.
But I have a hard time with this story. I, like many, can't understand why she didn't tell him to back off and leave her alone. Or just leave.
Maybe things really have changed a lot since I was dating age. I'm sure they have. Therefore, as a public service, I am providing 10 very old-fashioned, time-tested things you can say to extricate yourself from a guy who's become too, er, amorous. They almost always work. (If they don't work, then call the cops.)
TEN THINGS TO SAY IF YOU NEED TO END A DATE EARLY
1. RUN-OF-THE-MILL: "Oh, my, look at the time. I need to be at work early tomorrow, so I've gotta run. Thanks so much for the evening."
2. THE "ANN LANDERS": "Back off, buster, before I slug you with my purse. And it's loaded."
3. REVERSE PSYCHOLOGY: "I won't do any of that stuff until we're married. Wanna get married?"
4. THE OLD "LOATHSOME DISEASE" PLOY: "I meant to tell you earlier, but I was too ashamed -- I have a loathsome disease."
5. THE SILENT TREATMENT: [Say nothing; just slip out quietly while he's in the bathroom.]
6. THE FAMILY CRISIS: "My aunt is sick." (Actual excuse used once by my mother.)
7. THE LIBIDO KILLER: "You are the sweetest guy. You remind me of my little brother."
8. THE STINK BOMB: "Oh, no - I'm afraid my bowels are flaring up again. You do NOT want to be near me! Bye!"
9. THE BEST FRIEND: [Plan in advance to have a friend call you with an "emergency" at 8:30 p.m. If the date is going well, let the call go to voice mail. If it's going badly, you have an excuse to get out.]
10. THE "GAY" CARD: "Oh, I am so sorry for the misunderstanding. I thought we were just friends. I'm not attracted to men."
11. BONUS REASON - THE TRUTH: "I don't think this is going to work out. I'm going home."
These work way better than "non-verbal cues."
Image Credit: From flickr, Creative Commons license, by David Shankbone.