Sexism can be funny. . . in hindsight (865 hits)
Category: NoneRating: 0.86 on 21 reviews (Rate this item) (V)
Submitted by engine13 (View user info) at 2003-11-20 13:53:55 EST
So, for this to make any sense you need to know a few things. First, I am an average sort of girl, usually described as "cute" before anything else. Second, I try to be as nice as possible to people in the business of customer service, until given reason to act otherwise. And lastly, due to events such as those described below I dread dealing with auto parts salesmen and car salesmen.
This summer, the heater in my car stopped working. No big deal since it was warm outside. When it started getting cold, I was thinking about taking it in to get the heater fixed. I was talking to a co-worker about it when he suggested that it was probably just the fan blower motor and I should get my boyfriend to fix it for me. Get my boyfriend to fix it? Fuck that, if he can do it I can do it, I think to myself. Being this is the age of the internet, I get online and find the directions I need to fix my fan blower motor. Doesn't look too complicated, I think.
So, I go to an auto parts store to buy my part. I walk up the counter and tell the guy behind the counter (we'll call him dickhead) I need a fan blower motor for my car. He asks some routine questions: make, model, year, does it have A/C, etc. Then he looks at me, raises one eyebrow and says contemptuously "I don't suppose you know what type of engine you have?". I am so taken aback; I can't even answer for a second. Then after glancing at the engine types he's looking at on the computer screen, I blurt out "That one, the two. . ." dickhead interrupts me with "The two what?". Regaining my senses I reply, "The two liter, four cylinder, sixteen valve engine.". In my head "you asshole!" followed this reply. What person would walk into an auto parts store without knowing what type of engine they have in their car? So, I get my part and walk over to the cash register with dickhead following closely behind. As I get to the cash register, the pestering continues:
Dickhead: "You gonna put that in all by yourself?"
Me: "Yeah, it doesn't look too difficult, I think I can figure it out."
Dick head: Bursts into that Tim Allen/Home Improvement grunt, the one like a pig in heat, "Ar, Ar, Ar, Ar"
Me: "Ha Ha"
Dickhead: "It sure is hard to put those in. If you can't do it you can always bring the part back and get a professional to install one for you."
Me: "Thanks, I'm sure it will be fine."
Okay, so I'm a pussy and didn't tell dickhead to go fuck himself, but I just don't know how to react to being treated like a complete imbecile.
The end of the story: after struggling for a half and hour or so, I installed the new fan blower motor all by my little lonesome, no thanks to dickhead. My friend suggested I go back to the store and tell dickhead not only did I install the fan blower motor, but I'm smarter than him and make more money. But, I just peacefully gloated to myself. . . and anyone who would listen.
User Reviews
Submitted by strider (user info) at 2005-05-23 14:29:06 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Submitted by QueenAshlee (user info) at 2003-11-20 15:27:47 (#)
Ranking: -1
"Mostly unrelated: It seems that I no longer pay for stuff at the local auto shop. Works for me. "
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And how do you then "pay" for these services then queeny?
engine13 - +2 for doing it yourself and getting it working.
Submitted by hidden101 (user info) at 2004-08-19 19:32:02 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
now that's a real woman.
Submitted by GrizzlyHunter62 (user info) at 2003-11-20 20:19:32 EST (#)
Ranking: 1
I think you did the right thing by not calling the guy out on sexism, as Spike suggested. Though he was, as you put quite well, a dickhead, let him hang on to whatever shread of masculinity he has left.
If I ever have problems with my 'fan blower motor' can I call you to fix it for me?
Submitted by Kristen (user info) at 2003-11-20 16:42:28 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
See, he asks you condescendingly because girls like me really don't know they have to know what sort of engine they have and he deals with us all the time. Sorry about that.
On the same token, do you have an area of particular expertise? When you speak about it to someone, you probably dumb it down for them or use all the big words and have to explain yourself 30 seconds later, right? Not saying you're a hypocrite...just wondering.
Submitted by corn_nugget (user info) at 2003-11-20 16:21:00 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
I used to manage a Radio Shack when I was 20... I knew EVERYTHING about all that stuff, but since electronics is a "mans world" I often had guys ask if they could "speak to a man about this stuff"... so I would let them talk to my moron part-timer.
It was more amusing then anything, how people fuck themselves over. I'm not easily offended, so... I don't think I'd be annoyed by the auto parts guy... Like Insane said, most PEOPLE don't know about car parts, so this guy probably gets off on actually knowing SOMETHING. It's quite possibly the only thing he DOES know.
yay
Submitted by Valacosa (user info) at 2003-11-20 15:58:54 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
My mother actually works in an autoshop...in the parts department. It's funny the things people assume she doesn't know just because she's a woman...once in a while she has to deal with really really old people who want to talk to "a man".
It disgusts me.
Submitted by Insanethemind (user info) at 2003-11-20 15:42:35 EST (#)
Ranking: 1
Everytime I have ever gone into an auto parts store, I had no idea what engine my automobile contained and I have owned 3 of them. Sure, I knew they were 4 cynlinders, but the rest? That's exactly what professionals are for.
I wouldn't have been offended by that guy, simply because I would be under the assumption that besides auto work, selling me parts and insulting my already low intelligence, he's good for probably nothing else.
Aside- It doesn't offend me at all when I am buying something usually considered "feminine" from a woman and she insinuates that I don't know how to use it.
Submitted by engine13 (user info) at 2003-11-20 15:37:30 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Perhaps the "cute" comment was a little trivial. I was just trying to give an idea of what dickhead might be thinking, basically that I am fairly unassuming when I walk into a store. Nothing really stands out.
As far as calling this guy out on his sexism, I figure if the person is ignorant enough to treat someone a certain way based on sex, then I'm wasting my time trying to educate him/her. I don't mind discussing issues of sexism and prejudice with people who have an idea of what those words mean.
Submitted by Party03 (user info) at 2003-11-20 15:28:27 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
whew! That's a relief. I'm glad that fixed the problem. I bet you could put him in his place next time if you go into the car store with a big wad of chew in your lip. Sure, it's probably the most disgusting thing you could do, but he won't give you shit for being a girl working on your car.
Submitted by QueenAshlee (user info) at 2003-11-20 15:27:47 EST (#)
Ranking: -1
Heh. I couldn't have done it.
Mostly unrelated: It seems that I no longer pay for stuff at the local auto shop. Works for me.
Submitted by orion (user info) at 2003-11-20 15:18:49 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
I'm with SpikeGoddess on this one, what the hell does it matter that you're cute?
Submitted by Phinch (user info) at 2003-11-20 15:12:29 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
not a bad first post. for a girl.
Submitted by LabRat (user info) at 2003-11-20 14:42:53 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Hell yeah. Show'd that fucker.
Submitted by engine13 (user info) at 2003-11-20 14:26:02 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
So, this was my first try at posting here. Thanks for not being too harsh. I'm not so good at writing humor. I took forever to try to figure out a half-way funny story.
SpikeGoddess: I understand what you are saying. I should stand up for myself, this isn't the first time some car guy has assumed I'm stupid. But, I'm still surprised every time.
Party 03: Yes, I fixed the problem. It was actually kind of funny, and fun to do. But, after all my hard work I had a perfectly functioning heater.
Submitted by LacyFace16 (user info) at 2003-11-20 14:11:40 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Proud to be a female right now...I had this happen to me when I went to get my tires rotated. I am apparently the only person who knows how to get my rims off my car because 4 "professional" assholes couldn't remove them even after i gave them the proper tools to do so!
Submitted by SpikeGoddess (user info) at 2003-11-20 14:11:23 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Don't know how to react? Let Uber's most vocal feminist give you a hint.
If you want men to recognize that you're capable, you're going to have to speak up. When he starts treating you like an idiot, look him in the eye and tell him that you certainly know what kind of engine you have, or you wouldn't be there trying to buy the part. Call him out on his sexism. Say that just because you're a woman doesn't mean you can't handle it.
Why do you have to make a point of saying that you're cute? What does that have to do with anything?
This isn't funny. It's sad that you didn't stand up for yourself better in the moment.
SpikeGoddess
Submitted by Party03 (user info) at 2003-11-20 14:09:10 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Did that fix your problem though? I need to know! The suspense is killing me!
Submitted by Natophelia (user info) at 2003-11-20 14:09:02 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Fuck that. Good for you. I grew up playing outside watching my dad work on cars, and I can do a few things myself. Most women don't WANT to work on cars; it doesn't mean we CAN'T. Oh well, feel sorry for the guy. If the most he has to make himself feel important is being condescending about a stupid little car part, he probably needs the break you gave him.
Submitted by quack (user info) at 2003-11-20 13:57:44 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
that was supposed to be a one...
Submitted by quack (user info) at 2003-11-20 13:57:19 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
props
Submitted by Random Joe at 2003-11-20 13:55:55 EST (#)
Ranking: -2
I bet the car breaks down in a week, because this dumb broad installed it wrong.