A lot of people here seem to not understand the power imbalance point, so I'd like to explain it.
Imagine you're in these positions:
--Being arrested, and an officer makes a romantic advance
--On trial, and the judge makes a romantic advance
--In therapy, and the therapist makes a romantic advance
--At the doctor, and the doctor makes a romantic advance
--At the bank, and the banker makes a romantic advance
--In a restaurant, and the waiter makes a romantic advance
--At work, and the cleaning staff makes a romantic advance
--In class, and the teacher makes a romantic advance
--Buying a car, and the car dealer makes a romantic advance
Obviously each of these situations is a little different, and the appropriateness of flirting in each situation is a little bit different (for example a therapist will lose the ability to practice for life if they date a client, e.g. Dr. Phil).
When you consider why some of these are obviously wrong (cop, judge, therapist, teacher) it's because the individual in question has a responsibility to make a neutral judgement call that will have a meaningful impact on your life.
Now I'm not saying I have the answer to this, but I think we need to begin the discussion by establishing some principles.
Imagine you're in these positions: --Being arrested, and an officer makes a romantic advance --On trial, and the judge makes a romantic advance --In therapy, and the therapist makes a romantic advance --At the doctor, and the doctor makes a romantic advance --At the bank, and the banker makes a romantic advance --In a restaurant, and the waiter makes a romantic advance --At work, and the cleaning staff makes a romantic advance --In class, and the teacher makes a romantic advance --Buying a car, and the car dealer makes a romantic advance
Obviously each of these situations is a little different, and the appropriateness of flirting in each situation is a little bit different (for example a therapist will lose the ability to practice for life if they date a client, e.g. Dr. Phil).
When you consider why some of these are obviously wrong (cop, judge, therapist, teacher) it's because the individual in question has a responsibility to make a neutral judgement call that will have a meaningful impact on your life.
Now I'm not saying I have the answer to this, but I think we need to begin the discussion by establishing some principles.