Inappropriate customer

[Jake 10]

where in the Caribbean?

 

[Edward3c]

Ah ok, I didn't know. I have been a lurker until today

This type of behaviour is unacceptable within diving, in fact any industry. I’ve authorised the ending of BSAC memberships for these types of assaults.

 

[Ares1590]

Don’t feel pressured to confront this person in the moment if you don’t want to. I know some people are fine doing that but you shouldn’t feel like you did anything wrong by not saying anything.

I echo the sentiment overall though to speak to the instructor and let them know what happened. If this person was making jokes and didn’t apologize it seems clear what their intentions were. A good instructor and shop should fully back you and tell this customer to leave and not come back.

Sorry for your experience.

 

[kastuk]

This type of behaviour is unacceptable within diving, in fact any industry. I’ve authorised the ending of BSAC memberships for these types of assaults.

Of course, in theory this is true, unfortunately many do accept this kind of behavior and let it slide. But I'm glad there are people out there who do take more care, and I hope this will be true of diving here as well. The service industry is definitely one that lets this kind of behavior slide, and that is my frame of reference unfortunately. I will be more assertive about tolerance in diving from now.

 

[PamelaH]

Number One: say something to the individual, at the moment. If necessary, tell him if he does it again you'll knee him in the balls, hard, then say, "Excuse me, it was an accident."

This is not how I would handle this but I love it that you made that suggestion.

To the OP, It's fine to say, "sir, I'm not sure if you are touching me accidentally or on purpose but please find a way to stop doing it. " When he starts gaslighting you and telling you not to take is so seriously simply repeat that you don't want him touching you. That's it. Say it in earshot of others and then tell the shop owner. It's absurd that we have to put up with this crap in the 21st century.

 

[Jake 10]

Of course, in theory this is true, unfortunately many do accept this kind of behavior and let it slide. But I'm glad there are people out there who do take more care, and I hope this will be true of diving here as well. The service industry is definitely one that lets this kind of behavior slide, and that is my frame of reference unfortunately. I will be more assertive about tolerance in diving from now.

This behavior is unacceptable. If there is a place/shop that do accept this kind of behavior or let it slide, then you should QUIT, and look for a more reputable place/shop that do not accept this kind of behavior.

 

[Cali_diver]

I have watched an instructor immediately take a man's hand off an area with her hand (grasped around the wrist) underwater and show him the appropriate place to put it. Then a finger wag to show not to do that. It solved her problem pretty quickly. Obviously if it continued after that the instructor needed to be told what was happening asap.

 

[BoltSnap]

Don't assault or threaten, everything will be turned against you if you do. Do everything "legally" and professionally. File a complaint with the instructor and dive shop and make sure that you have all of the facts and incident description on you on a piece of paper before you speak. Do NOT take a rash action or "knee jerk" reaction.

 

[USdiver1]

In the moment, you need to react in such a way as to 1) stop the action from progressing, 2) stop the action from re-occurring, 3) re-assert your role as the instructor/DM. Get help from other DMs / Instructors if necessary.

Immediately afterwards you need to inform your co-worker / boss / shop manager / owner of the inappropriate act, and get them to back you on this. If need be, file a complaint with the authorities either civil such as the training agency or criminal with local law enforcement. You are there to instruct student divers, not to be the object of inappropriate / illegal acts.

 

[johndiver999]

Yes, yes file complaints. Tell the certifying agency. Complain to the dive shop. Pray that the offender dies a horrible death. But never, ever mention or indicate to him in a direct and timely manner that his actions were unwelcome.