Posts: 142
From: London, UK
Registered: May 2009

posted February 08, 2010 06:28 PM         

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I work in a predominantly male office doing sales (construction industry). I was warned that the atmosphere was bloke-y and sweary and, from that point of view, can hold my own (if they give me cr*p I give them cr*p back).
However, a lot of their after-hours entertainment revolves around drinking (which I am not into) and eyeing up other women, and, so I gather, the two girls who were previously employed by them that they talk most about had affairs with just about everyone in the office. Including my predecessor, who apparently had a halo and could do no wrong (and had a huge chest).

Now, this predecessor did not get to the stage that I have already got to until after 6 months of working for the company, and that was when the market was good. I started getting them work right from the word go, but even I can't make people buy if the climate isn't right. I haven't finished the end of my 3 month trial period so they are still able to fire me with a week's notice if they so choose.
To be honest, they'd be mad to, because with half the stuff that they say to me, some people would sue them for sexual harassment, but I just b*tch back. But I can't help feeling that they want someone a bit dumber, who goes along with the drinking and is a piece of a$$ for them.

And that's actually what I am beginning to resent. The fact that women STILL after all this time are not appreciated for what they do but for how they look (I don't look bad, but that's not the point!!) and that I might have been hired as a potential piece of a$$.
Today, I was so cross about them (they all have partners) talking about other women they fancied and what they'd like to do to them, that I turned around and said "there's no point in a woman being in a relationship, because the man will always be looking around for something else"! which silenced them momentarily. It makes me so angry on behalf of their partners, if their partners could just see how they behave and the disrespectful way in which they talk about them. I have only just come out of a relationship, and it makes me not want to have a relationship or romance at all!!!

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Posts: 733
From:
Registered: Nov 2009

posted February 08, 2010 06:41 PM         

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The way people talk, the words they use to describe others (both sexually and otherwise) - their lack of attention to how they may be perceived socially etc.. - may be related to their level of education as well.. and the area of education.

I'm finishing a degree in a male dominated area and also working in a related-area & they are all highly intelligent and couldn't "talk" that way.

They're a lot more aware of their image before the world and other people. I'm not saying they never *think* these things - perhaps they do.. but they're very careful with their words - specially the married ones.

Maybe it's because we have stricter policies - they may fear repercussions.. or maybe it's just IQ and education level, I don't know.

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Posts: 40
From: Auckland, now brisbane AU
Registered: May 2009

posted February 09, 2010 07:34 PM         

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Typical of tradies!

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