Oh yes, the dynamics of being on the floor (or out in the field re the military) are quite, quite different. Hmm, that would be a good post, prolly…

A regular female employee on the floor might occasionally be subject to some taunts and ribbing- and all the ones I worked with gave as good as they got. I’m sure Lisa, with her military experience, is well familiar with that. But teasing someone you know and work with every day is a far cry from catcalling a complete stranger on the premises, touring the factory in the company of management.

That this tool felt the need to warn you says it all: he thinks it’s normal and appropriate when everyone else there, even the biggest pig on the shop floor, knows it isn’t. IF anything like that had ever happened before, the warning should go to the shop dudes, not to the potential victim.

I doubt it ever had happened before. This guy probably has as much of a clue about the people in his own shop as Mike from “The Office” (US) had about his warehouse people. And obviously as much respect for their professionalism.

In the process, he was

1) assuming that she had no idea that obviously female type people are somewhat unusual in her profession

2) asserting that she is indeed unusual, with the implication that her presence might be deemed inappropriate

3) asserting that catcalls are to be expected, because she is a woman in a male environment, and what can you do when you introduce that powerful a stimulant into everyone’s everyday working environment, women just need to accept this. In other words, sexist behaviour is normative in his environment, and rather than condemn the people who might (and in this case didn’t) engage in it, it’s enough to warn any woman foolish enough to want to enter a masculine domain.

4) assuming that as a woman in a male-dominated environment, Lisa hadn’t dealt with sexism before, ever.

At least, that’s how I read it.

Lisa, as a woman working in a female-dominated environment, who still finds herself developing techniques for dealing with sexism and condescension, I welcome your tales.

…Actually, I started to answer you, and realized that my reply was turning into an entire post in of itself. So I’ll just do that instead.

I guess I don’t get it, though - it sounded to me like he was trying to warn you about impending catcalling…? There must be some subtext or critical point I’m missing here - was it that he said it in front of everyone? Can someone please explain this to me?

Thanks,
MH

Unless everybody hates these charming lil tales, I will be able to provide about one a month, minimum, cause that’s what it is to be noticeably chick-like in an overwhelmingly male-dominated profession. You notice though that these are all occurring OFF MY USUAL JOB SITE…it is possible that I have shall we say *trained* those I work with on a daily basis not to expose themselves to this degree of ridicule. But it takes a while to do this…months to YEARS. I am not kidding. (sigh)

PS: Did you wash your clothes in Windex? Because I can really see myself in your pants.