Sexual Harassment Or Just A Horrid Invasion Of Personal Space?

Q: Sexual harassment or just a horrid invasion of personal space? I went up to my professor and asked him a question. As he was answering me he caressed/rubbed my upper arm. I was froze stiff thinking omigosh. He didn't have a learing look and he did it in front of other students like it was no big deal--but it was too friendly. I don't even really know him, I just basically say hi to him twice I week when class meets. He touched my arm before when I asked a question, but I took as no big deal, since a lot of people touch arms while talking. If he would have just placed his hand on my shoulder, that wouldn't have bugged me. It was that he was moving his hand around my upper arm that freaked me out. I never saw him do this to any other students. I have never seen ANY teacher/professor do that to a student before. Heck, even my dad won't do that, unless I am crying my head off and he is trying to comfort me. Other than that, I think it was inappropriate what my professor did. I am not sure if it is considered under sexual harrassment though

A: Yeah, it's definitely creepy but I don't think it could be classified as "sexual harrassment." Alot of older men do this kinda gesture. Still....I

was put in a similar situation at my workplace. My manager was taking my report from me and he grabbed my hand like in a non-chalant manner and was just sitting there holding my hand. I thought, "WTF?!" It wasn't that big of a deal but it made me uncomfortable. So I yanked back as hard as I could and moved further from him letting him know, "This kinda behavior isn't cool." Some men are just nice and touchy/feely and don't mean any harm at all, whereas other men get off on simple pleasures like touching or rubbing because that's all that they can get away with especially in front of other students. If you feel uncomfortable with anything at all, pull away like I did. It worked for me.