And for today! A dose of casual sexism and weird assumptions...
Today I had a lovely day in York with my mum, Gwen and a family friend. My dad was meeting a friend of his from uni that he hasn't really seen since then. We met dad + chum at the train station on our way home, and were having friendly chats with them:
DaddyO: random chat about retiring
Friend of Dad: wish I'd done it earlier
MummyO: you mean at N's age!
N: Yeah, I'd love to retire, maybe I should think about it seriously
Friend of Dad: What do you mean? You're already retired, you're a housewife
*sudden uncomfortable silence*
N:*BRAINS ASPLODE*
FamilyO: Buhbye, MUST CATCH TRAIN, kthanxDIIIIE!
What?
So, random chap, who has set up a law practice with his wife(!!!) assumes that because I am pushing a pushchair with spudchild in, I must be a housewife, and also, and this is the HYUUUGE kicker, that housewives do no work. BLIMEY.
I am astounded and amazed.
The urge to shout things like: DO NOT ASSUME and YOU KNOW NOTHING were strong. I resisted. I also consider that it was intended as a joke. Still, I sort of think it isn't very funny. Hmmm, felt oddly devalued, and furious about patriarchy etc etc etc.
So odd to see oneself through the eyes of others. As my dad said: well, at least you never have to pretend to be polite to him again.
The esprit de l'escalier still hasn't struck, so I don't have a witty response even 5 hours later. Anyone else?
DaddyO: random chat about retiring
Friend of Dad: wish I'd done it earlier
MummyO: you mean at N's age!
N: Yeah, I'd love to retire, maybe I should think about it seriously
Friend of Dad: What do you mean? You're already retired, you're a housewife
*sudden uncomfortable silence*
N:*BRAINS ASPLODE*
FamilyO: Buhbye, MUST CATCH TRAIN, kthanxDIIIIE!
What?
So, random chap, who has set up a law practice with his wife(!!!) assumes that because I am pushing a pushchair with spudchild in, I must be a housewife, and also, and this is the HYUUUGE kicker, that housewives do no work. BLIMEY.
I am astounded and amazed.
The urge to shout things like: DO NOT ASSUME and YOU KNOW NOTHING were strong. I resisted. I also consider that it was intended as a joke. Still, I sort of think it isn't very funny. Hmmm, felt oddly devalued, and furious about patriarchy etc etc etc.
So odd to see oneself through the eyes of others. As my dad said: well, at least you never have to pretend to be polite to him again.
The esprit de l'escalier still hasn't struck, so I don't have a witty response even 5 hours later. Anyone else?