Aah, yes. This is going to be a somewhat embarrassing post to write, but what the hell, it's the new year, so I might as well start it off with a bit of self-flagellation.....
I have never been what you would describe as a "girly girl" (if such a creature does in fact exist, and is not an invention of the patriarchy- but that's a thesis topic there). I remember as a child, my valiant Grandma tried to encourage me to be more "feminine" by giving me Barbie dolls, and suggesting I style their hair. But even then, it was a lost cause- I took greater joy in decapitating the unfortunate dolls and drawing gangster tattoos on their headless plastic corpses.
Moving right along.....
In recent years, my lack of stereotypical femininity has led to some rather, err, interesting situations where I have been mistaken for a "dude", as my boyfriend puts it (and yes, before you ask, he and I have been treated as a gay couple when we've been out together! The fun NEVER stops here!).
Hence, my advice for young players is that IF you are unsure whether someone is male or female, it is better to keep your mouth shut, rather than risk making a fool of both yourself and the person in question.
Read on.....
Last year, I went into a store which sells both male and female attire. I was clad in my typical weekend wear of jeans, trainers, T-shirt and backpack. I was soon approached by a sales assistant, and the following conversation ensued.....
- Sales person: Hey there! How are you today? Can I help you with anything?
- Me (looking in the women's section): Aah, no, not really, just having a look.
- Sales person: And are you shopping for yourself today?
- Me: Yes. Yes, I am.
- Sales person: Great! Well, the men's section is just over there on the right.
- Me: Err.....I ummm......Err........I'm not a guy.
- Sales person (going bright red): Umm, oops! Sorry! My mistake! Ha ha ha!
Needless to say, I didn't buy anything from THAT store.
If this was a once off, I'd have happily dismissed it. Maybe the sales person needed new glasses? But, unfortunately, it is not a rare occurance.....
- I have been directed to the male toilets by restaurant staff.
- I have been asked "whether sir would like the fish or the chicken?"
- And I remember on one particular long haul flight being addressed REPEATEDLY as a man despite pointing out to the flight attendant that I was actually female.
What on earth is wrong with these people?! I'm not THAT masculine! I have breasts! I have hips! I have a female voice! For goodness sake, it's not that hard to work out that I'm a woman!
And no, sir will NOT be wanting the chicken......
