Not even a walking stereotype. I’m a hair-twirling, gum-snapping stereotype. My conversational style sinks to Valley Girl, and I think I might emit a high pitched nervous giggle or two.
That’s a description of me talking to a mechanic. In the shop or on the phone (when I also get to shush a baby in the background or lift a crying toddler out of the toilet, too, just to pile stereotype upon stereotype).
All the car places we’ve gone to have had only men working there. That is not what makes me uncomfortable, it’s that combined with my utter lack of knowledge about cars. I’m pretty quick–if I wanted to know about cars, I would probably know something. But I really hate cars. So when the car guy calls me and starts talking about sway bars or belts or axles or even tires, I’m lost. I’m the stereotypical girl who doesn’t know anything about cars. Who says things like, “Hi, um, what was that thing you said? The tilting thing? The bar thing? Y’know? That thing?” Which is what I had to call and say when I couldn’t remember the name of the thing that I was trying to google so I would know what the thing was. I heard myself and was not happy.
I’m almost at the point of looking for a class for this kind of thing. But I really do hate cars.
I’ve felt this way 2x this week-in a)talking to the HVAC guys, and b) to the computer guys…
I think that it’s always worse when we don’t have any idea about the subject matter and also then of course when the people we’re talking to think and/or treat us like we’re idiots…
I am the same way. I’ve actually really thought about learning about these things–cars, air conditioners, plumbing–in order not to seem so dumb. But I shouldn’t have to, you know? I don’t treat my customers like they are stupid because I know more about my business than they do, so why should a mechanic or plumber or electrician? And why the gender stuff on top of it? Makes me mad.
Grace´s last blog ..Love Thursday: Moving towards those I love
It’s frustrating, isn’t it? I mean, why can’t I NOT know about cars without all the gender baggage?
I try to think of it this way: I pay people to do things I’M NOT INTERESTED IN AT ALL. See? Easy.
Must Be Motherhood´s last blog ..Classifieds
Well, sure, MBM, but then I don’t get to dwell on gender politics and end up feeling crappy…
Own your disinterest! Sway bars be damned!
Vikki´s last blog ..Fashion Friday
I’m an engineer, so I really have no excuse. I should be able to understand this stuff, I understand how lots of things work. But, like you, I don’t really care about cars and so I know nothing. Really, I just want the thing to run and not cost me too much, you know?
Amber´s last blog ..Returning to Work: Heather, Brie and Carrie
If everyone did everything to defy stereotypes, we would just have new ones. All women love cars and know everything about them.
A good mechanic treats everyone the same, regardless of knowledge on the subject.
Breeder´s last blog ..The Sweet and the Bitter
Have you ever considered publishing an e-book or guest authoring on other blogs? I have a blog based on the same topics you discuss at http://www.280main.com/2009/08/a-walking-stereotype and would really like to have you share some stories/information. I know my subscribers would value your work. If you are even remotely interested, feel free to shoot me an e mail.