Random Thoughts of Members (anything goes...well with in forum rules)

[Kham-Ryn Kurios]

I'm a woman working in what is traditionally a male dominated industry, automotive retail. I always get a satisfied grin after a customers gone, when they have either not been happy with my answer and gone to ask a male team member the same question, or they have entered the store, ignored my offer to help them and made a beeline to one of the guys- and then in both situations they are redirected back to me because I will be able to help them when the male team member can't. Or when a guy comes up and hes being rude and purposely trying to have a go at you and asking tough questions because you are female and clearly don't know anything about cars.... and then they leave opening and closing their mouth like a goldfish with all the answers and more. I have had a guy standing in front of me doing that before it was rather comical to watch. I just politely smiled and asked if there was anything else I could help him with.

Is it really such a surprise that I know my job?  

No, but you shouldn't be surprised when people act like fools; regardless of gender, people don't like being told that they're wrong.

Clearly, those are people that think respect is something to be earned.

Trust is earned, respect is given.

[Noctis]

I'm a woman working in what is traditionally a male dominated industry, automotive retail. I always get a satisfied grin after a customers gone, when they have either not been happy with my answer and gone to ask a male team member the same question, or they have entered the store, ignored my offer to help them and made a beeline to one of the guys- and then in both situations they are redirected back to me because I will be able to help them when the male team member can't. Or when a guy comes up and hes being rude and purposely trying to have a go at you and asking tough questions because you are female and clearly don't know anything about cars.... and then they leave opening and closing their mouth like a goldfish with all the answers and more. I have had a guy standing in front of me doing that before it was rather comical to watch. I just politely smiled and asked if there was anything else I could help him with.

Is it really such a surprise that I know my job?  

Man, I get the same kind of situations being a female martial arts instructor.  Guys very much like to get cocky and push me to "beat them up" because 1.) They think it's funny and 2.) They don't believe I can.

Well, 1.) They call me "Sensei" for a reason and 2.) A good teacher never "beats up" a student.

I will, however, teach them a lesson when they least expect and it's usually their own damn fault for tripping/falling/getting thrown by me.  I don't make a show of it.  I don't say anything about it.  I just continue to teach, but they look on their faces shows that they "get it."  It's hard at times to get them to respect me, especially when my husband is the other Sensei and he moves like a great Jedi Master.  I'm shorter and less graceful, but I have my strengths.  In Aikido, size matters not.  Really big guys don't give me any respect . . . until I throw them with their own momentum.   Bigger, faster, stronger falls harder, quicker, and easier.  

I work part-time elsewhere as an assistant to a lawyer and a lot of male clients think I'm the "secretary" because I answer the phone.  Kind of annoying, but hey, at the end of the day?  I know what I'm capable of in both fields.  That's pretty much all that matters.

[Frizzenflyer]

I did a short stint working at a garage where my immediate supervisor (and one of the best mechanics I have EVER met) was a seventeen year old girl who looked like she was maybe fourteen (a little short and almost lanky looking, a weird combination) and when a customer was upset with something she told them they came to me because they assumed I was "the actual mechanic" or "the dude in charge". nothing was quite as satisfying as shouting "Hey Boss!" and her replying with "The f*** did you do now!?" and watching the customer giving themselves whiplash looking back and forth.

One of the best jobs I have ever had, I loved it there for a lot of reasons. But mainly because, even though I only worked there on weekends to supplement my income, I was treated like family by the whole crew and when I was in my first car accident (I lost the brakes on my moms Ford Taurus and rolled into a ditch and a tree avoiding a dumptruck that decided to merge into my lane going twenty five in a fifty zone) they "sold" me a Dodge Neon and paid me for time I spent essentially walking around with a broom because I couldn't actually do anything useful.

[Darth Severus]

I'm a woman working in what is traditionally a male dominated industry, automotive retail. I always get a satisfied grin after a customers gone, when they have either not been happy with my answer and gone to ask a male team member the same question, or they have entered the store, ignored my offer to help them and made a beeline to one of the guys- and then in both situations they are redirected back to me because I will be able to help them when the male team member can't. Or when a guy comes up and hes being rude and purposely trying to have a go at you and asking tough questions because you are female and clearly don't know anything about cars.... and then they leave opening and closing their mouth like a goldfish with all the answers and more. I have had a guy standing in front of me doing that before it was rather comical to watch. I just politely smiled and asked if there was anything else I could help him with.

Is it really such a surprise that I know my job? 

I work in a related field, auto insurance, and there are guys who only want to speak with guys, then there are women who only want to speak with guys, but know one ever asks to speak with a women. We are professionals and 75% of the people in my office are women an honestly most of the best are women. I know in the 70's and 80's things may have been different but honestly any sex can answer almost any question I hate old world thinking soooo much.

[Darth_Phobius47]

Man, I get the same kind of situations being a female martial arts instructor.  Guys very much like to get cocky and push me to "beat them up" because 1.) They think it's funny and 2.) They don't believe I can.

Well, 1.) They call me "Sensei" for a reason and 2.) A good teacher never "beats up" a student.

I will, however, teach them a lesson when they least expect and it's usually their own damn fault for tripping/falling/getting thrown by me.  I don't make a show of it.  I don't say anything about it.  I just continue to teach, but they look on their faces shows that they "get it."  It's hard at times to get them to respect me, especially when my husband is the other Sensei and he moves like a great Jedi Master.  I'm shorter and less graceful, but I have my strengths.  In Aikido, size matters not.  Really big guys don't give me any respect . . . until I throw them with their own momentum.   Bigger, faster, stronger falls harder, quicker, and easier. 

Glad I'm smart and don't underestimate people. Also I have respect for those with superior experience. Don't mess with someone who goes by Master, I say! So do the students call your hubby -sama or -sensei? Lol

I wish there was a place around here where I could learn Judo or Aikido...

[Darth Logos]

Trust is earned, respect is given.

Do you have any idea how profoundly wise this is? Point

One thing y'all need to keep in mind is that modern times are warping the once clearly defined parameters of gender roles. These ideas that men do this and women do that has been engrained in our species for thousands of years. And unfortunately, the statistics back up the stereotypes. Women are more caring & nurturing; men are more calculating and disciplined. But there are strengths and weaknesses to both sides.

For instance, no one would think to come to me for advice on dealing with small kids. Mainly because I have none, nor have I ever. But I have always had a way with them. Somehow I understand kids better than I understand adults. But my gender role as a man would automatically tell you to ask a woman first. Role barriors must be taken down through demonstrations of ability. Or just wait about 10k years for the idea to change.  Cheers

[Noctis]

Glad I'm smart and don't underestimate people. Also I have respect for those with superior experience. Don't mess with someone who goes by Master, I say! So do the students call your hubby -sama or -sensei? Lol

I wish there was a place around here where I could learn Judo or Aikido...

We're both just "Sensei."  The title must means "master of a skill," really.  A teacher of any sort is a sensei.  A doctor is also a sensei.    I would honestly prefer being called "Master" that "Doctor of Whatever" any day.  The husband outranks me by one black belt level, so he's technically my senpai.  On the mat. 

I'm not a big fan of Judo on a personal level (too aggressive), but I think it's a wonderful art. 

[Kham-Ryn Kurios]

Thunderball is such a slow movie.

Every time they dip underwater the pace of the film comes to a halt; like diving into the shallow end.

_______________________________

Another thing, why is Lumière the only one with a french accent in Disney's Beauty and the Beast?

I really want to see the version where they all have that french accent, however outrageous it might be.

[Frizzenflyer]

my new flatmate is awesome, I told her that I wanted to get everything squeezed into the driveway because its supposed to snow here and I don't want any more close calls with cars parked in the street, she told me that she could do it if I gave her all of the keys. She parked her little ford something perpendicular to the driveway right up against the garage door, Baby (my C1100)  backed in with the drivers side wheels six inches off of the pavement, and the Buick beside Baby facing the other way with the drivers side a little off of the driveway, all of which meant that her girlfriend could park her little Honda Whatever on the concrete apron.

I was just going to park Baby in the grass, because it would be easier.

[Noctis]

I find the word "polyphenols" to be hilarious.  I enjoy saying it waaaay too much for absolutely no reason at all.  I am easily amused by nothing. 

[ThreadJack]

I tried going snowboarding today. Not a single parking spot available in the free lot, and I was NOT about to pay $20 just to park my car. I shall try again tomorrow.

[Jev Moldara]

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m5l9b1hxxPk" target="_blank" class="aeva_link bbc_link new_win">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m5l9b1hxxPk</a>

[Darth_Phobius47]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m5l9b1hxxPk#

......And repressed.

Love that scene! TFS FTW!!!

[Jev Moldara]

......And repressed.

Love that scene! TFS FTW!!!

I still think that Vegeta's Crowning Moment of Badassery was the fight against Android 19.

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fsx09hDU0Sw" target="_blank" class="aeva_link bbc_link new_win">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fsx09hDU0Sw</a>

[Darth_Phobius47]

I still think that Vegeta's Crowning Moment of Badassery was the fight against Android 19.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fsx09hDU0Sw#

I gotta agree here.

Can it feel fear?
FILE KNOWN AS "FEAR" NOT FOUND.
Lets change that shall we?

And then all levels of badassery are taken from him when he fights 18. That poor Super Saiyin Prince.