blatant sexism

[ridebikeme]

Um.... I know exactly what you are talking about. Although, I have to agree with Deb, things have definitely become WAY better than in my early career. I try to remind myself that there were many women that had it worse than I did, and they in fact, have paved the way for the rest of us. I also see it as something that I should try and make better for the future . Although it's not comfortable, try and turn it around and educate people. Not only will theyl remember you, but you will set the tone for no matter what you choose to do in life.

[Becky]

I had a good one today.

At our shop, when a customer takes a bike out on a test ride, we're required to hang the tag from our aprons. Naturally, this results in a lot of "oh, so you're $XXX today? What a good deal!" and so on. Most people make the stupid joke and move on.

Today, I sent a customer out on a very nice full carbon and Dura Ace bike. The man with him proceeded to start the "you're $2900 today?" joke with me, and would not let it drop. He asked me if that was my daily or weekly rate, and on and on. I wish that I'd remembered Zen's line about asking that if I was a man- I'm pretty sure he wouldn't have gone there with one of the guys. He finally shut up when I told him that he was digging himself a pretty deep hole. His friend was so embarrassed by his behavior!

I don't mean to be curt with customers, but there are some that just push so far beyond the limits of decency...

Grrr! Some days it's just not worth the discount!

BTW, I think it's perfectly ok to say, "Are you familiar with product ABC?" before launching into your question(s). I can't possibly know every product that we sell, and I'll gladly hand you over to someone else who can better speak to the topic. "Do you ride?" is a little too broad and makes just about everyone uncomfortable.

[Mr. Bloom]

Applegum: I'm with Lisa and LPH...it seems to me that the guy may have responded to sarcasm with sarcasm...without any sexist intent.

I'm not saying that there isn't sexism and am not trying to justify it when there is, but in retail, the customer is always right no matter how wrong they are...and I'd be careful throwing out sharp responses...unless you really practice taking the edge of the delivery. Change attitudes one person at a time by demonstrating your competance, not by ticking them off

[teigyr]

I disagree that the customer is always right. I like this quote:

"The fact is that some customers are just plain wrong, that businesses are better of without them, and that managers siding with unreasonable customers over employees is a very bad idea, that results in worse customer service."

Look at Southwest Airlines and how they are in relation to the other airlines. If an employee feels empowered, they will give the best customer service they can as opposed to an oppressed employee. This quote by Herb Kelleher says it all:

"Herb Kelleher [...] makes it clear that his employees come first — even if it means dismissing customers. But aren’t customers always right? “No, they are not,” Kelleher snaps. “And I think that’s one of the biggest betrayals of employees a boss can possibly commit. The customer is sometimes wrong. We don’t carry those sorts of customers. We write to them and say, ‘Fly somebody else. Don’t abuse our people.’”

I think "the customer is always right" mentality is outdated. I prefer giving my business to a company that backs their employees instead of seeing an employee squirm and then give into whatever ridiculous rant the customer is going on about.

To go back to the original topic, yeah there is stereotyping going on. I've been guilty of it. The best thing you can do is be subtle in education but also call them on comments that are uncalled for. You can't educate the whole of civilization (I wish I could..those people who drive under the speed limit in the passing lane are sorely needing something) but each lesson will impact the person a bit more.

The salon I go to (not to be totally girly here) has a resident dog. She is the owners dog. I have heard people complain about the dog because the dog WILL jump up next to you as you're getting a pedicure. This salon is awesome though and I really like the dog. The customers that complain are advised that there might be a better place for them to go. Go figure, the salon is booked WEEKS in advance. I like the fact that the owner has taken a stance regarding something she believes in and I will put up with waiting weeks to get an appointment Apparently, I am not the only one.

[Zen]

He asked me if that was my daily or weekly rate, and on and on.

Whoa.
If that were my customer he may have burst into flames due to the intense glare from my eyes.
I have to commend you on you self control.

[tulip]

Yeah, it's the shop you think it is. Which is why I haven't gotten upset with anyone who's asked that yet. Then again, Richmond shops in general are in poor shape right now and ours is actually known for being the best for advice and not hiring jerks in the area. We get a lot of people in mentioning the horrible service at a few of the LBS's actually.

I'd love to work at Richmond Recycles, but I'm moving back to Toronto finally. Hopefully I'll be working at the Bikechain, which is run by UofT students and faculty.

I have heard some very bad reviews of a couple (one in particular) shops here in Richmond. I have not gone to those shops. I've only been to one shop here in the past year that I've lived here, and it was not negative, but not great (like my old shop outside of DC-Proteus rocks!) I do most of my basic work myself, and I haven't need to buy anything lately, so I've been lucky that way.

Best of luck in Toronto! Richmond will miss losing a competent and nice bike shop employee who also happens to be a woman!

[applegum]

I wholeheartedly agree with the idea that the customer isn't always right. Even if they're blatantly wrong though I never tell them that, and still act politely towards them. It's not even for my job's sake since there's no way they would have fired me, but just because I don't want my boss getting the flak for me not being able to handle a little ignorance every once in a while. My bosses always side with our employees at least, although they will try to appease the customer. We never get blamed for a disgruntled customer when it was just them being rude or demanding things that we just can't supply (like brands we don't carry or being able to mark down clearance prices or overhauling a bike on a busy saturday), and usually whichever manager was around for the incident will have some supportive or commiseration words to say afterwards. I gotta say, it really makes for a comfortable work environment, and it shows in our general customer service since we all feel at home at the shop.

As to getting sarcasm back for sarcasm, I was completely un-sarcastic in my reply of "you can tell by the apron." That's just my usual reply if someone asks if I work there, and I say it in a non-joking but still friendly voice. His reply was funny, but terribly inappropriate. The other girl who works with me has had her apron strings untied by some idiot guys who come by, like it's in their rights as a customer to undress the female sales people. That's way worse.

[badger]

Mine's probably not so much sexism, but a figure of authority for the lack of better description.

I work in a fire department, and I work in the front end. Oftentimes a citizen will walk in wanting a stamp for how many people can be in their restaurant. I'm the one who can help them, yet they inevitably look beyond me for a guy in a uniform (they're not trained to do what I do). It's annoying, but if they want the stamp, they have to deal with me, so eventually they'll get it.

I was once at a clothing store in a mall. It was a female-clothing store, so the lone guy in it kind of stood out. I guess it's really no different than seeing a girl at a bike store, but it takes a moment to shift your brain into gear. It's great you're working at a bike store, though. I once aspired to become a bike mechanic, but I got steered into clerical work. I guess I can still learn on the side!

[tc1]

If it makes you feel any better, if I see a woman working in a bike shop I try to make my purchase from her.

So I'm on a service call at a customer's house (electric company). The drunk barfly woman sez "I thought they were going to send a ****in' man! Why in the hell did they send you?) I shrugged my shoulders, did what I had to do, and she apologized afterwards. She said she was just surprised.

The good part about being in a mostly male profession is no line for restroom at seminars, meetings, etc.

[squirrell]

I'm a pastor, and sexism just comes with the robe. I had one guy tell me "why should I come to church to hear a woman tell me what to do--I got a wife at home who does that."

He thought it was funny....

I didn't.

[roadie gal]

I'm an ER doc. Try being the female doctor in an ER full of male nurses. People always used to look past me to find the doctor, even if I was wearing a nametag that had M.D. on it and after I introduced myself as Doctor ____. I still get called "Nurse" occasionally but not so much in recent years. I think part of that is that there are more female docs and part is that I'm gray enough that I look like "the doctor".

I do admire your ability to hold your tongue though. The last few times I've been asked, "Are you the doctor?" I've replied, "Yep, have been all day."

[colby]

I told them after the fact that we had doubts. The lead ramp person said she gets that a lot and that it's mostly women out on the ramp. They were all smiling (the equipment manager gave them shirts he was so impressed) and said they had "girl power".

It took me a few days to find this and come back to the thread, but a friend sent me this postcard when she and her husband were in Germany and this thread reminded me of it...



From this vendor:
http://www.moderntimes.de/seite/prod.../seite/84.html

[DebW]

Speaking of sexism, read this Boston Globe Article.

[KnottedYet]

Speaking of sexism, read this Boston Globe Article.

I love Love LOVE that the author's name is "GoodMAN."

Heeee hee eheeeeee!

[Zen]

Why did you have to get me all riled up again?

Of course I had to investigate this
and this

I'm not even going to go down the honorary segregationist road, it's a long and bumpy ride...