Rose65
Well-known Member
- Location
- United Kingdom
Purely my own thoughts, but you know when women choose to enter into professions where they must work with mainly men, it is going to be tough. Yes it will take courage to be in the police, army, fire service etc.
However, men will be men. Except of course actual breaking the law or abusing women is completely unacceptable and must be punished.
Left to it they will swear, be very coarse about women, and compete with each other. They do and say shocking things that a woman cannot easily tolerate. It may not be right or moral but it's to a great extent how they are. They want to impress and challenge each other and it's just like in nature, biology is there.
So when I read sometimes in the news about women complaining about this male culture that they choose to work within, I do have some impatience. Men are not going to change their ways when a woman joins them on THEIR level? Like a policewoman or firefighter must be able to handle things just like a man, give and take when the jokes start.
There is an important difference in how men perceive any woman among them. I worked once as a secretary in a male dominated industrial company. I however made sure to establish myself from the start as a respectable married woman, a lady, not 'available'. Within a short time I can say all those men treated me with utmost respect. They would apologise if a swearword was said unthinkingly, it became a joy to work there. However - I was NOT 'one of them'. Not working the heavy machinery or in the dirty shop floor. I was separate in the office. They kept their crude male culture away from me and I felt safe.
It IS very hard no doubt for young women in certain professions and she must be safe and never accept actual abuse. My point is that some of the behaviours is just men being men so it's no good complaining if you can't take it.
However, men will be men. Except of course actual breaking the law or abusing women is completely unacceptable and must be punished.
Left to it they will swear, be very coarse about women, and compete with each other. They do and say shocking things that a woman cannot easily tolerate. It may not be right or moral but it's to a great extent how they are. They want to impress and challenge each other and it's just like in nature, biology is there.
So when I read sometimes in the news about women complaining about this male culture that they choose to work within, I do have some impatience. Men are not going to change their ways when a woman joins them on THEIR level? Like a policewoman or firefighter must be able to handle things just like a man, give and take when the jokes start.
There is an important difference in how men perceive any woman among them. I worked once as a secretary in a male dominated industrial company. I however made sure to establish myself from the start as a respectable married woman, a lady, not 'available'. Within a short time I can say all those men treated me with utmost respect. They would apologise if a swearword was said unthinkingly, it became a joy to work there. However - I was NOT 'one of them'. Not working the heavy machinery or in the dirty shop floor. I was separate in the office. They kept their crude male culture away from me and I felt safe.
It IS very hard no doubt for young women in certain professions and she must be safe and never accept actual abuse. My point is that some of the behaviours is just men being men so it's no good complaining if you can't take it.
To which I would have been sorely tempted to reply "Just as soon as you get back in the cage where YOU belong" and hope he didn't have a knife. Don't ya just want to kick them where they'd feel it just to show the strength a woman has?
Thanks to all those who contributed to make this happen.
When new customers would call they were always surprised when I answered "I am the housecleaner." after they asked to speak to the "female". Because they expected a female it took a little convincing that I was legit and had many customers, some of which were well known in the community. I like to think that I helped the stereo type housecleaner to a new level. We are not personal attendees (maid), and we deserve a decent pay! It began to happen. I raised my prices and many of the females followed suite. I told the customers what I would do, and that any extras would be 1 hour or less about once a month. If it worked out that way, great. If it didn't I moved on. Respectable profession is what happened here. I stood up, just as women have finally stood up to men.