Sexism is alive and well....
Discussion
Just got back from a local garage after taking the Rover in for them to have a look at the wing mirror. The clip at the back of the mirror is failing to lock, so they told me they could sell me a new mirror glass today that I could take away "for my husband to fit for me". 
This is the same garage that I rang about a year ago to order a new back-box and mid-section (managed to make a hole in the exhaust at the point where the two meet - doh!). I then spent an entire Saturday morning waiting while they worked out that the new back-box they ordered wouldn't marry up with the old mid-section because of the damage. Yep, they didn't bother ordering the mid-section I asked for because "they didn't think I'd need it". I mean - would I have asked for it if I didn't need it?! I ended up having to go back the next week and wait all over again while they replaced both bits.
I will calm down in a minute, I promise... and when I do they're going on the list of "garages to avoid"!! I suppose they think I need to take a bloke with me every time I fill up with petrol.... Grrrrr!!!!
>>> Edited by SGirl on Friday 17th January 11:25
This is the same garage that I rang about a year ago to order a new back-box and mid-section (managed to make a hole in the exhaust at the point where the two meet - doh!). I then spent an entire Saturday morning waiting while they worked out that the new back-box they ordered wouldn't marry up with the old mid-section because of the damage. Yep, they didn't bother ordering the mid-section I asked for because "they didn't think I'd need it". I mean - would I have asked for it if I didn't need it?! I ended up having to go back the next week and wait all over again while they replaced both bits.
I will calm down in a minute, I promise... and when I do they're going on the list of "garages to avoid"!! I suppose they think I need to take a bloke with me every time I fill up with petrol.... Grrrrr!!!!
>>> Edited by SGirl on Friday 17th January 11:25
My wife cynically uses sexism to her advantage. When we need something from an uncooperative service or goods provider she does the negotiating and if necessary, this means doe-eyed pleading. I think she balances the dignity thing with the fact that 9 times out of ten she gets much more than we could have hoped - like 10 quid out of the has board after the telephonist used a rude word, or a free stainless sink from B&Q and two single beds from Argos. Oh and free insurance on a washingmachine.
Long live sexism and the men who fall for it!
Long live sexism and the men who fall for it!
This sort of thing riles me a bit I have to say.
'Er indoors and I a while ago went shopping for a new motorbike for her. Every single place we walked into someone came straight up to me and enquired if they could help. Perhaps, in some ways I could possibly understand that, but when 'er indoors was in full bike leathers and carrying a helmet and I was just in normal clothes, wearing trainers I did think it somewhat took the piss. One certain large, franchised retailer, who used to have a unit on the North Circular just by the Ace Cafe
, got the brunt end of it though. After she tried an new R1, caned the shit out of it for half hour and then we left...
Matt.
'Er indoors and I a while ago went shopping for a new motorbike for her. Every single place we walked into someone came straight up to me and enquired if they could help. Perhaps, in some ways I could possibly understand that, but when 'er indoors was in full bike leathers and carrying a helmet and I was just in normal clothes, wearing trainers I did think it somewhat took the piss. One certain large, franchised retailer, who used to have a unit on the North Circular just by the Ace Cafe
, got the brunt end of it though. After she tried an new R1, caned the shit out of it for half hour and then we left... Matt.
I agree! Im all for Male chauvenist pigs!
Means I get better service, money off stuff (not my car
)
This week for example I have a free meal for two at a spanish resteraunt as I had to complain about a meal there.
I've had tons of freebies for bits on the car. Discounts in stores, free cinema tickets etc etc etc.
If men are stupid enough to fall for the short skirt, low cut top, fluttering eyelids etc etc then GREAT!
ETA: I would never take my car or bike to a garage i didn't know as they would more than likely try it on and im afraid to say i would be unlikely to notice.
>> Edited by S2N on Friday 17th January 11:43
Means I get better service, money off stuff (not my car
) This week for example I have a free meal for two at a spanish resteraunt as I had to complain about a meal there.
I've had tons of freebies for bits on the car. Discounts in stores, free cinema tickets etc etc etc.
If men are stupid enough to fall for the short skirt, low cut top, fluttering eyelids etc etc then GREAT!
ETA: I would never take my car or bike to a garage i didn't know as they would more than likely try it on and im afraid to say i would be unlikely to notice.
>> Edited by S2N on Friday 17th January 11:43
Just got back from a local garage after taking the Rover in for them to have a look at the wing mirror. The clip at the back of the mirror is failing to lock, so they told me they could sell me a new mirror glass today that I could take away "for my husband to fit for me".
This is the same garage that I rang about a year ago to order a new back-box and mid-section (managed to make a hole in the exhaust at the point where the two meet - doh!). I then spent an entire Saturday morning waiting while they worked out that the new back-box they ordered wouldn't marry up with the old mid-section because of the damage. Yep, they didn't bother ordering the mid-section I asked for because "they didn't think I'd need it". I mean - would I have asked for it if I didn't need it?! I ended up having to go back the next week and wait all over again while they replaced both bits.
I will calm down in a minute, I promise... and when I do they're going on the list of "garages to avoid"!! I suppose they think I need to take a bloke with me every time I fill up with petrol.... Grrrrr!!!!
>>> Edited by SGirl on Friday 17th January 11:25
save yer dosh Sgirl, that clip thingy is a common issue, the slidey ring jobber can get pushed back making it impossible to lock in, just needs fettling, as for sexism.....you've never used it to your advantage?
>> Edited by apache on Friday 17th January 11:43
The number of times I've seen Mrs Podie use sexism work for her is untrue... the girl doesn't even have to lift a finger half the time!
As an engineer she's better technically than me... but the number of times shop assistants start rambling on at me... we just let them... and then I say "all very well, but I have no idea what the hell you're talking about"... then Mrs Podie takes over...
PS - SGirl... was tempting to write "what are you doing out of the kitchen anyway?"... but knew you'd kick my arse for it!
>> Edited by Podie on Friday 17th January 11:46
As an engineer she's better technically than me... but the number of times shop assistants start rambling on at me... we just let them... and then I say "all very well, but I have no idea what the hell you're talking about"... then Mrs Podie takes over...
PS - SGirl... was tempting to write "what are you doing out of the kitchen anyway?"... but knew you'd kick my arse for it!
>> Edited by Podie on Friday 17th January 11:46
S2N said: ETA: I would never take my car or bike to a garage i didn't know as they would more than likely try it on and im afraid to say i would be unlikely to notice.
There are loads of garages round here who'd try it on, too. One told me a part I requested didn't exist ("and I should know, I'm a mechanic" he said!!), one tried to replace my brake discs when I just needed pads, etc. etc. I haven't yet experienced the "your radiator has a hole in it, we'll have to replace it" brigade, but when I do there'll be trouble.
Podie said: PS - SGirl... was tempting to write "what are you doing out of the kitchen anyway?"... but knew you'd kick my arse for it!
Oooh!!! As if. I'm such a sweet, nice girlie after all! Now where did I put my pink fluffy jumper??
Apache - the only time I remember deliberately using the short skirt, puppydog eyes trick is when I was pulled over by our friends in blue at 6 one Easter Monday morning for doing 80 on an empty dual carriageway... I felt it was justified then, though.
Oh, and thanks for the mirror tip, I'll give it a go!!I'm a male chauvinist but sexism as displayed is bloody arrogant. But has it's reasons in facts.
My better half had a Polo, and when in the workshop another female who also had a Polo got chatting to my wife.
I only heard "well yours MUST be faster because it's red" before I choked on my coffee..................
numpties come in all shapes and sizes.
My better half had a Polo, and when in the workshop another female who also had a Polo got chatting to my wife.
I only heard "well yours MUST be faster because it's red" before I choked on my coffee..................
numpties come in all shapes and sizes.
jinx said: Is sexism the problem or is it being treated as inept? I've had lots of experience being treated as an idiot, which has always made me mad.
I think it's a bit of both. I mean, if I don't know something, I'm the first one to admit it and say "please advise me on what to do". But for them to just assume I'm inept simply because I'm female and not wearing oily jeans and carrying a spanner just makes me mad!!
S2N said:
My better half had a Polo, and when in the workshop another female who also had a Polo got chatting to my wife.
I only heard "well yours MUST be faster because it's red" before I choked on my coffee..................
So,....was that your wife who made the remark or the other driver?
Surprisingly enough NOT my wife, although she's an absolute technical eejit.......
Won't drive on the autobahn because "the car makes soooo much noise" "well put it in 5th gear dear!!!!!"
I'm one of those who has to check the oils, tyres, washer fluids etc because of the "there's a funny noise/light etc" statements. or is that just sly female logic to get us to do it for them?????
STill wouldn't change her for the world.....
jinx said: Is sexism the problem or is it being treated as inept? I've had lots of experience being treated as an idiot, which has always made me mad.
Think its a bit of both.. I've noticed that when I turn up to a garage in a suit and tie I tend to get the 'you must be inept we'll do it all for you' line whereas if I'm in jeans and oily hands I get a little more sense out of them.
The exception to this being when I'd just spent a couple of hours assembling the rear brakes of my old Saab after a service during which the main dealer put new pads in incorrectly. Basically I steamed in looking for someone's head to put on a stake to be told to sling my hook as they were busy with people who were looking at buying new cars and didn't have the time to discuss servicing old ones. Few sharp letters to and from me, them and the club got it sorted.
SGirl - maybe the guy was trying ineptly to save you cash? Always fun when I wander into such places with my Mum for odds and ends. They can never quite work out the relationship between the two of us; always good for a wind up. If they are particularly obnoxious and we are looking at a car to buy, Mum gets to do the test drive and I wait in the showroom. Been known to reduce salesmen to blubbering wrecks..
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