freitasm:

networkn:

SaltyNZ:

networkn:

Let's cut to the chase then, in your opinion, what should happen now? Putting aside everything EXCEPT the fact he is PM and he pulled this girls hair, what should his punishment be?

The power imbalance is the key (no pun intended) here. If it was me (just some random guy) who pulled her hair, and kept doing it, I'd expect to be told off by her, and her manager, and possibly asked not to come back to the cafe again. I probably wouldn't expect to get arrested over it, and if I was, I'd expect the police would probably give me a good frightening and then let me go.

But this man is the Prime Minister, and he arrives with an escort of minders and bodyguards. When it's him that does it, the dynamic is completely different. This is a man that you could easily expect to make your life a living hell if you crossed him - rightly or wrongly; this is NZ after all, there are limits - but in any case he's the most powerful man in the country. You cannot get any more intimidating by your mere presence without openly carrying a gun. There is absolutely no way he doesn't know that. And without wanting to go all Spiderman, with great power comes great responsibility. We just should not see men or women in his position doing such inappropriate and immature things in public, and he must know that. 

I honestly don't know what the punishment should be. Should he be sacked over it? I think that's a bridge too far, and let's be honest, it's not going to happen so it's pointless to even speculate. But at the very least he needs to be humble and apologise properly and sincerely about it - genuinely humble and apologetic, in private, not just 'to be seen as' in public with a hundred cameras to document his magnificent speech. I think that's the one thing he would struggle with the most, because I think he's an arrogant so-and-so, and therefore the most appropriate response.

Interesting because I wouldn't characterise him as particularly arrogant related to this situation. I believe he has apologized, but only she will likely know if that was heartfelt. (I believe he is a decent person and wouldn't have wanted to frighten or hurt her) One thing I know is that he wouldn't be doing it again. If he did then I'd expect more serious consequence.

I think he is now clear about how it's been perceived regardless of how it was intended. (Which I honestly believe was innocent and non sexual).

I seriously doubt he could or would make her life a living hell, unless she is lying in which case I'd expect him to call her out on it, and I'd expect HER to be facing consequences.

The way you put the uppercase word "HER" it makes it look like you don't believe her story, or wish the story was not as it is being told.