An article that said it smells good to female passengers...sanctions against sexual harassment
Jul 07, 2025
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There are mixed opinions online, such as "the inappropriate words and actions of the article" and "excessive punishment".
According to Chinese media Zhejiang TV and Hong Kong media South China Morning Post, Zhao, a ride-hailing platform driver living in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China, was suspended from service for 21 days by the platform after a complaint was received that she made sexual harassment remarks to female passengers.
When a female passenger who applied for a call service boarded the vehicle on the 8th of last month, Zhao "Did she spray perfume?," he asked three times.
Then the passenger responded "No" and he said "The smell from my body is really good".
The passenger explained that it was a scent from clothes using detergent, and Zhao asked for the brand of detergent.
However, the passenger who got out of the car filed a complaint on the platform.
The company, which listened to the in-vehicle recording, paused Zhao's account hours later.
Zhao explained that he asked about perfume because he thought the smell could refresh the interior of the car, and claimed that all the conversations took place respectfully.
He said "If the other person hadn't answered, I wouldn't have asked anymore" and "I don't think I said anything wrong"
However, the female passenger said that the conversation with the driver was repeated and that Zhao was displeased with continuing to look at her through the room mirror.
She said "If a stranger says 'smells good', who can take it well?"I was afraid that the polite answer would have been accepted as a favor, he said."
When the news was posted online, various reactions poured in.
Some netizens said that what the article said was really inappropriate", Some said they were critical of Zhao, including "It was an unnecessary conversation", while others said "We should disclose the recordings and let the public judge them." gave a careful opinion such as. It was also pointed out that "The excessive treatment of platform companies..."
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.