"Ride like a girl"... How do you feel about that?

[shootingstar]

It never occurred to me that RLAG as a brand marketing phrase was insulting.

....BUT just last week, I commented to another woman at work, that where we work now, is the first time in many years, that men at our workplace refer to women as "girls". Not all guys, but enough. Other workplaces where I've been, less guys or hardly guys seem to use girls for "women" or ladies in the workplace.

Including my boss, who is senior manager. However ironically he has always treated me with respect, delegates management responsibities that is part of my job, has good supportive understanding of what I do.... everything one could want in a senior manager except for "girls" term. Ah well, things could a whole lot worse.

If I bought Terry apparel I probably wouldn't be wearing it at work anyway. ie. I don't wear T-shirts at work.

In all honesty, if others know you cycle alot and have for many years, to wear a LRAG item, would appear on you as a tongue in cheek statement or empowering..particularily if you know people already respect you for your long-term fitness decision.

I have 2-3 pink items...I even sewed a pink coral wrap dress that I work with black pumps and large black belt for a few years ..but always items in 1 solid colour and classic cut. I choose the colour because it can look well on those with black-hair.

[Zen]

I think I might give a pair of RLAG socks to a guy I know.

[jaydee]

Now well past my "girl" years, I would be quite chuffed to be told I ride like a girl. And working in boys' education, I know that there are so many things we "girls" do so much better than boys. If I am told I am doing anything like a girl, my response is that it is only one of many things I am doing at that particular point in time, unlike those of the opposite gender for whom multi-tasking is nigh on impossible.

Yay for girlpower!

[bounceswoosh]

It never occurred to me that RLAG as a brand marketing phrase was insulting.

....BUT just last week, I commented to another woman at work, that where we work now, is the first time in many years, that men at our workplace refer to women as "girls". Not all guys, but enough. Other workplaces where I've been, less guys or hardly guys seem to use girls for "women" or ladies in the workplace.

I don't understand why any man in a workplace would have legitimate occasion to refer to the women at the company as such. I don't say, "Here's my team lead <name>; as you can see, he's a guy." Nor would I expect him to say, "You should talk to Monique about this; she's a girl." Maybe I'm being obtuse. When would this even come up?

[Thorn]

Fascinating thread, RM. It made an interesting morning read.

If I look at it as when I was a girl, riding was all about fun, speed and daring, then I'm not offended by it--it says "capture the inner child, go out and have fun".

However, as a female in a very male dominated field, "girl" is one of those words that can rankle. Yes, bounces, clueless males will point out gender. And, yes, that rankles, too. It is the same as the news--they almost never point out "white", but they do point out minorities. Society is often too obsessed with differences, but, sadly, not in a "hey, cool we're different!", but in a "ooh, yuck, you're different". I keep pushing for the first--'cause, hey, cool, we're different!

[shootingstar]

I think part of the problem where I work is that quite a number of the women at work, on the job, refer to each other and other women as "girls".

This is why I made that comment at work to an employee who works in my dept. She does it all the time. I reminded her..she's a mother of 2 adult boys..and asked her does she think of herself as a "girl"? I let that one stew in her head.

On the other head would I wear a t-shirt or cycling jersey that overtly expressed women power.. I don't think I NEED to.

Not at my age. I do know something...