Sexism you have personally experienced or have heard of? *READ POST 1*

Chemical Burn

SEXISM MEN HAVE EXPERIENCED

Inspired by the thread I saw in the Ladies' Lounge, about Sexism they apparently experience from day to day life, I thought I might start a thread about sexism that us gentlmen experience apart from the others in the LL.
So Gentlemen of GC, what sexism discrimination do you experience?

Please NO AH-type responses or attacking the OP or thread ...

I was told by a driving instructor (back in the day) that I would have a lesser chance of passing the test because of how I looked and because I was a man (instructor was female). This was 11 years ago.

I was in college queuing up to use a photocopyer / printer and it was faulty, and I had to page the maintenance guy. Even though I was first in the queue, he pushed me aside and told me to " let the "ladies" go ahead of me ", when the machine was back up and running again. This was 10 years ago.


MOD NOTE! ** READ THIS **
I'm going to make this completely crystal clear, for the benefit of all.

This is a thread for men to post their experiences of sexism that they believe they have experienced. Discussion in this thread is welcome, from both men and women - so long as it goes with the ethos of the thread. Addition - this thread will also encompass general sexism against men.

The following is no longer to take place in this thread:

- Discussion of which sex has it worse
- Arguing about what is, or isn't sexism in your view

This is the Gentlemen's Club forum. This forum will always have a male leaning ethos. Men do not have to defend their experiences in this thread to anyone.

We will start banning people who continue to derail this thread.

P_1

maybe

Countless examples from working in a shoe shop, to be honest if I were to list the lot of them I'd end up going into a tirade.

Chemical Burn

P_1 wrote: »

Countless examples from working in a shoe shop, to be honest if I were to list the lot of them I'd end up going into a tirade.

Try the top three .. just to get the juices flowing

P_1

maybe

Chemical Burn wrote: »

Try the top three .. just to get the juices flowing

Ok so,

1 - Sweltering day so I decide to wear a vest (wifebeater) to work, apparently that looked 'unprofessional' yet female staff were swanning around wearing half nothing.

2 - Apparently just because I'm male I couldn't cash up quickly

3 - Apparently I didn't have a clue about fashion

Chemical Burn

P_1 wrote: »

Ok so,

1 - Sweltering day so I decide to wear a vest (wifebeater) to work, apparently that looked 'unprofessional' yet female staff were swanning around wearing half nothing.

2 - Apparently just because I'm male I couldn't cash up quickly

3 - Apparently I didn't have a clue about fashion

Blood pressure rising

Homer Simpson mp4: Urge to Kill, Rising ...

iptba

(These ones are old - others may come to mind later)

In the late 70s/early 80s, there was a family on our road of three boys and one girl. The three boys got hit with a belt by their father regularly as punishment, but not their sister.

Female friend told me in the early 80s in her school, there was corporal punishment for the boys in her class but not the girls.

donfers

No

sexism exists, is it always a bad thing and damaging? no

why? because the sexes are different

first we must define it, does it mean treating the sexes differently? well then is that so bad, the sexes are different

the reality is that some people are more programmed to whinge about it than others because they knew their case will be heard more favourably

there are countless examples of sexism every day, I am constantly carrying stuff for women, moving things, doing physical jobs - none of the women call me a sexist for doing so, I just happen to be physically stronger than them

there are cases of what I would describe as damaging or malicious sexism but unfortunately those cases are often drowned out by the whinging victim class who trivialise the issue by claiming that every setback they suffer must be a result of some (more often than not) patriarchal conspiracy

it gets tiring

we must strive to highlight the real stuff, for example father's rights and the disgraceful way women are treated in some countries far far from here and we must weed out and expose the hypocritical garbage

iptba

there are countless examples of sexism every day, I am constantly carrying stuff for women, moving things, doing physical jobs - none of the women call me a sexist for doing so, I just happen to be physically stronger than them

This reminds me: I've heard people say that in some jobs at the same/similar grade or payscale (or with a similar title anyway), men end up having to do specific types of work where female employees are not expected to do them or won't do. In some instances, this might mean men have to work harder or do more dangerous work. Some people may consider the examples of this as trivial, others may not. As I don't know what happens in reality in lots of different types of workplace (what is shown on TV, for example, may or may not be accurate), I'm interested in hearing such examples. Other people are free to think they are not important if they want.

tsiehta

donfers wrote: »

sexism exists, is it always a bad thing and damaging? no

why? because the sexes are different

first we must define it, does it mean treating the sexes differently? well then is that so bad, the sexes are different

IMO it's more that people are different, with average differences along gender lines, for largely disputed reasons (inherent biology vs. socialization).

If you're treating the sexes differently based on blanket generalizations/assumptions, without any consideration for an individual's traits, then that is sexism. For example:

donfers wrote: »

there are countless examples of sexism every day, I am constantly carrying stuff for women, moving things, doing physical jobs - none of the women call me a sexist for doing so, I just happen to be physically stronger than them

Carrying things for weaker people is not sexist. Assuming all women are weak, is.

iptba

(Probably not the most exciting example)
When I stayed at the summer college in the Ring Gaelthacht in Co. Waterford, us boys only got white bread, but the girls were given the (better quality) brown bread.
(They weren't open about this: we only found out by chance as for some reason once we had to go through the girls eating area and all the brown bread was out. There may have been other differences in the food also - it wouldn't have been hard for them to get better food as a lot of what we got seemed to be slop that had been through the system once or twice i.e. leftovers that were all mixed together).

Reku

How about having a girl hit me and then taunt me that I can't hit her back because she's a girl?

I can also think of a number of examples of women I worked with doing what would be classed as sexual harassment and getting away with it yet us men had no doubts what would end up happening to us were we to do the same/say the same as they had.

Playboy

No

Constantly get dirty looks from Women on public transport who think its their god given right to a seat in place of a man because they are wearing heels. It doesnt help when some shining knights cave in to ther chivalrous urges as it creates a sense of expectation. I once had a woman pick a dirty newspaper up off the floor and throw it in my face because she "was afraid she would trip on it!" Obviously she was very annoyed that I was happy to let her stand on a busy tube when she clearly wasnt very comfortable. Why are men seemingly expected to put up with discomfort with a smile on our faces so our lovely sisters of the opposite sex relax in comfort? If you aint pregnant, elderly or disabled then the heels are your problem ladies.

cantdecide

http://corkindependent.com/20130207/news/girls-weekend-away-S58921.html

Had a right rant about this in AH recently. Reverse the genders and you can be sure it wouldn't have been published...

seenitall

cantdecide wrote: »

http://corkindependent.com/20130207/news/girls-weekend-away-S58921.html

Had a right rant about this in AH recently. Reverse the genders and you can be sure it wouldn't have been published...

As I posted in that thread, yes it would have (and it has been), and worse in the example below. If objectification is worse than negative stereotyping (re: the last paragraph).

http://galwayindependent.com/stories/item/4642/2012-45/No-more-Mr-Nice-Guy

(Apologies gentlemen, I know it's off topic, just thought I'd rectify this particular misconception.)

ZX7R

Started a new job recently as a caretaker,i was asked would i clean the toilets today because the cleaners did not turn up,so i said yes no problem and started to clean them, Female manager came in as i was cleaning them and said it would be imposable for me to clean them correctly as i was not a woman.
I think she managed to be sexist to both sex's at the same time with her statement.

ShagNastii

I hate cries of sexism, they are often just a whinge for people who need to get over it. Sticks n stones and all that jazz.

That said I didn't half feel hard done by when I was in the bar trade. The poor little females not being able to deal with kegs or deliveries was something that urked me.

Take your equal pay, but only after you haul in those 50 kegs.

The Corinthian

donfers wrote: »

there are countless examples of sexism every day, I am constantly carrying stuff for women, moving things, doing physical jobs - none of the women call me a sexist for doing so, I just happen to be physically stronger than them

Are they unable to do so themselves?

A common enough example of sexism is whereby one or more female colleagues will try to get you to do some heavy lifting... because you're a man. I don't mean serious weight, I mean under 10kg that can easily lifted by an adult of either gender.

Just because you're stronger, doesn't mean you should. They're work colleagues, equals and it is their responsibility to do that kind of work just as much as it is yours (more so if what they want you to carry is related to their work). With rights come responsibilities.

Perpetuating such gender stereotypes helps no one. Doesn't help men who ultimately end up becoming work horses in the workplace and it doesn't help women either, who'll quickly end up seen as useless if there is hard work to be done, and thus get sent off on coffee making duty.

donfers

No

tsiehta wrote: »

If you're treating the sexes differently based on blanket generalizations/assumptions, without any consideration for an individual's traits, then that is sexism. For example:Carrying things for weaker people is not sexist. Assuming all women are weak, is.

and here we are, just a few posts into this thread and already the strawmen/strawpersons are appearing

i don't assume all women are weak, it just so happens that the vast vast vast majority in my everyday environment are not as physically capable as me - I am sure there are women bodybuilders and athletes and others out there who are stronger than me that I don't run into every day but heh for the sake of brevity I choose not to add them as a little caveat or asterisk to every point I make to satisfy all the pedants out there who tend to present themselves in these types of discussions - i think it's called whataboutery and if debate were to cater for these type of people then debate would never begin

now, as per the examples cited, have you considered that on many occassions it is the woman themselves who perpetuate the "I am weak/you are strong" thing - did that possibility cross your mind? I am certainly not the type who is going around like a white knight offering to help the poor helpless wimmins, I leave them to it most of the time, however on multiple occassions they directly request my help to carry, move, hang, install, attach something even though on the majority of these occassions my suspicion is they are perfectly able to do it themselves.......now what is a man to do in these situations

"No, I am not helping you.....do it yourself" - misognysist pig they'll scream

"Yes, ok then, let me help" - sexist pig they'll scream

The Corinthian

Actually, while we're on this nonsensical topic of women being 'weaker'...

... does anyone here know what housework entailed before the advent of indoor plumbing, the washing machine, the electric iron and the dishwasher?

tsiehta

donfers wrote: »

and here we are, just a few posts into this thread and already the strawmen/strawpersons are appearing

i don't assume all women are weak, it just so happens that the vast vast vast majority in my everyday environment are not as physically capable as me - I am sure there are women bodybuilders and athletes and others out there who are stronger than me that I don't run into every day but heh for the sake of brevity I choose not to add them as a little caveat or asterisk to every point I make to satisfy all the pedants out there who tend to present themselves in these types of discussions - i think it's called whataboutery and if debate were to cater for these type of people then debate would never begin

now, as per the examples cited, have you considered that on many occassions it is the woman themselves who perpetuate the "I am weak/you are strong" thing - did that possibility cross your mind? I am certainly not the type who is going around like a white knight offering to help the poor helpless wimmins, I leave them to it most of the time, however on multiple occassions they directly request my help to carry, move, hang, install, attach something even though on the majority of these occassions my suspicion is they are perfectly able to do it themselves.......now what is a man to do in these situations

"No, I am not helping you.....do it yourself" - misognysist pig they'll scream

"Yes, ok then, let me help" - sexist pig they'll scream

Well that was a rant and a half.

I didn't call you sexist, or say that you consider all women to be weaker than men, nor did I make any comment on who perpetuates gender stereotypes.

I effectively said that what you were calling sexism in your post was not necessarily sexism. Lifting something for someone weaker than you is not sexism. Expecting not to have to lift anything solely based on your gender is sexism, and assuming that someone is not capable of lifting something based on their gender is also sexism.

As such, I disagree with your assessment of what sexism is, and that it is fine and natural in some cases. Treating people differently because of their gender is sexism. Treating people differently based on individuals' genuine physical differences, which may be correlated on average with their gender, is not sexism. Perhaps you see this as pedantry, but I see it as a crucial distinction.

By the way, while we're talking about strawpersons, I severely doubt that any woman has asked a man to help them lift something and then screamed "sexist pig" at him after he's lifted it for them.

---

More on topic, I haven't really experienced much notable direct sexism. However, I feel indirect sexism in the form of societal gender policing. What I can wear, how I should behave, what forms of entertainment I can consume, what interests I can have etc.

donfers

No

tsiehta wrote: »

Well that was a rant and a half.

I didn't call you sexist, or say that you consider all women to be weaker than men, nor did I make any comment on who perpetuates gender stereotypes.

I effectively said that what you were calling sexism in your post was not necessarily sexism. Lifting something for someone weaker than you is not sexism. Expecting not to have to lift anything solely based on your gender is sexism, and assuming that someone is not capable of lifting something based on their gender is also sexism.

As such, I disagree with your assessment of what sexism is, and that it is fine and natural in some cases. Treating people differently because of their gender is sexism. Treating people differently based on individuals' genuine physical differences, which may be correlated on average with their gender, is not sexism. Perhaps you see this as pedantry, but I see it as a crucial distinction.

By the way, while we're talking about strawpersons, I severely doubt that any woman has asked a man to help them lift something and then screamed "sexist pig" at him after he's lifted it for them.

---

More on topic, I haven't really experienced much notable direct sexism. However, I feel indirect sexism in the form of societal gender policing. What I can wear, how I should behave, what forms of entertainment I can consume, what interests I can have etc.

fair enough - i do think that the definition of sexism needs to be cleared up though, i don't think an equal number of women would ask a woman who is equally as strong and physicall able as a man to carry/move things

just one clarification i should make


the screaming sexist pig "they" I was referring to would be more the look-for-a-cause anywhere class (even when its not there) rather than the women accepting the help themselves

ElleEm

I think you only to ask any unmarried/ separated fathers have they experienced sexism and the answer will be a resounding "yes".

Irish law is so discriminatory against fathers, in that if a child is born to unmarried parents, the mother is the automatic guardian. The father, (named on birth cert or not) is essentially a nobody unless the mother agrees to sign the gaurdianship papers (or he takes her to court). It is truly a disgrace, and scary how little is known about it. I actually don't think I have ever spoken to a unmarried father who has known about this (unless they are going through the process of getting joint guardianship).

Icemancometh

No

I answered the phone in work today (as a doctor on a ward in a hospital) by saying the name of the ward, and the hospital. The person at the other end asked to speak to a nurse. I could be a nurse. Disgraceful sexism.

jaffacakesyum

Icemancometh wrote: »

I answered the phone in work today (as a doctor on a ward in a hospital) by saying the name of the ward, and the hospital. The person at the other end asked to speak to a nurse. I could be a nurse. Disgraceful sexism.

Not going to post too often in this thread as I don't want to step on people's toes, as a female. However, I've worked in hospitals before and have answered many a phone at the nurses station despite not being a nurse (:mad:) and the majority of the time the first thing people will ask is to speak to a nurse even though I'm female. And rightly so. You need to make sure you're talking to the right person there, doesn't matter if it's male or female who answers the phone you need to make it clear you want to speak to the nurse or the doctor or the psychologist or whoever. So in my opinion, that's not sexism at all.

Icemancometh

No

jaffacakesyum wrote: »

Not going to post too often in this thread as I don't want to step on people's toes, as a female. However, I've worked in hospitals before and have answered many a phone at the nurses station despite not being a nurse (:mad:) and the majority of the time the first thing people will ask is to speak to a nurse even though I'm female. And rightly so. You need to make sure you're talking to the right person there, doesn't matter if it's male or female who answers the phone you need to make it clear you want to speak to the nurse or the doctor or the psychologist or whoever. So in my opinion, that's not sexism at all.

That's fair enough, actually. It was an internal call, so they probably knew that all the nurses on that ward were female anyway. As it happens, I was probably in the best position to help with the query.

MagicMarker

Mainly just being asked to carry shít.

One time two girls called our office to ask a couple of lads to walk over to their office (another building) to move some furniture around. Turned out to be just a few draws, could have easily done it themselves.

Another time, one of the girls asked us to carry some boxes of paper down stairs. Literally boxes of paper from the top floor to the ground floor. They weren't heavy, there were just a lot of them. She, and all the other women in the office, sat on their arses while the only 4 men in the office did the physical work.

Morag

I've seen it in playgrounds over the years, not so much recently but mutterings of "what he doing talk to that child' that child was his own he had brought to the play ground.
Or Dad's pushing thier own on the swing and the child sitting besides asks for a push and the Dad being wary of doing so.

kjl

two words - car insurance.

clairefontaine

Morag wrote: »

I've seen it in playgrounds over the years, not so much recently but mutterings of "what he doing talk to that child' that child was his own he had brought to the play ground.
Or Dad's pushing thier own on the swing and the child sitting besides asks for a push and the Dad being wary of doing so.

I am female and I would never touch another person's child or push them on a swing. That is appropriate behaviour not specified to either gender.

P_1

maybe

clairefontaine wrote: »

I am female and I would never touch another person's child or push them on a swing. That is appropriate behaviour not specified to either gender.

Ok I think not pushing a child on a swing if the child asks for a push while you're pushing your own child right beside them is a tad OTT.

clairefontaine

P_1 wrote: »

Ok I think not pushing a child on a swing if the child asks for a push while you're pushing your own child right beside them is a tad OTT.

You may think it's OTT but I think it's bad manners. Some parents really don't want you doing that. I'd tell them to wait for their mammy or daddy.

Icemancometh

No

P_1 wrote: »

Ok I think not pushing a child on a swing if the child asks for a push while you're pushing your own child right beside them is a tad OTT.

It's OT, but a while back I was in Dublin Airport and a girl of 4/5 was trying to take a bag off the luggage carousel. She was struggling, and could have hurt herself. But... no one from her family was around, and there was no way I was going near a little girl on my own. My mate didn't have such qualms, and helped her. Her dad was perfectly nice when he showed up twenty seconds later. Still, if I was in the same situation tomorrow, I wouldn't do anything.

MagicMarker

clairefontaine wrote: »

You may think it's OTT but I think it's bad manners. Some parents really don't want you doing that. I'd tell them to wait for their mammy or daddy.

It's not bad manners to push a child on a swing 2 feet away from you while your pushing your own kid. If the parent doesn't want anyone to do it then the parent shouldn't leave the kid on the swing alone.

P_1

maybe

clairefontaine wrote: »

You may think it's OTT but I think it's bad manners. Some parents really don't want you doing that. I'd tell them to wait for their mammy or daddy.

Fair point. I guess it's a judgement call depending on the situation and all that.

Anyhoo we should probably get back to talking about sexism

Galwayguy35

It would be well over 10 years ago now back in my nightclubbing days I remember being in a club at the bar ordering a drink when I felt someone grab my crotch and squeeze quite hard.

I turned around and there was about 3 girls laughing and the 1 who grabbed me said they were on a hen night and part of their "check list" was to go up behind some stranger (who happened to be me) and squeeze their testicles.

I only laughed it off at the time and thought no more of it at the time but reading the sexism thread in TLL recently made me think back on it.

I would imagine if the situation was reversed and a bunch of lads on a stag night grabbed a womans boobs or crotch then it would be taken a lot more seriously.

Playboy

No

Galwayguy35 wrote: »

It would be well over 10 years ago now back in my nightclubbing days I remember being in a club at the bar ordering a drink when I felt someone grab my crotch and squeeze quite hard.

I turned around and there was about 3 girls laughing and the 1 who grabbed me said they were on a hen night and part of their "check list" was to go up behind some stranger (who happened to be me) and squeeze their testicles.

I only laughed it off at the time and thought no more of it at the time but reading the sexism thread in TLL recently made me think back on it.

I would imagine if the situation was reversed and a bunch of lads on a stag night grabbed a womans boobs or crotch then it would be taken a lot more seriously.

Similar incidents have happened to me and my friends numerous times over the years. We generally just laugh it off and walk away. The reality I would imagine is that in these type of scenarios there are a large number of men who arent bothered by these type of incidents. Touch a woman though and all hell breaks loose. I'm not condoning either behaviour but I always found it interesting how the two sexes react differently to similar incidents. Maybe a woman reacts more strongly because she is or feels more vulnerable or society has conditioned her to be outraged at any slight on her chastity?

jaffacakesyum

Playboy wrote: »

Similar incidents have happened to me and my friends numerous times over the years. We generally just laugh it off and walk away. The reality I would imagine is that in these type of scenarios there are a large number of men who arent bothered by these type of incidents. Touch a woman though and all hell breaks loose. I'm not condoning either behaviour but I always found it interesting how the two sexes react differently to similar incidents. Maybe a woman reacts more strongly because she is or feels more vulnerable or society has conditioned her to be outraged at any slight on her chastity?

I don't know why both sexes aren't equally outraged. No one has the right to touch someone like that, regardless of gender.

I don't agree that women have a particular advantage in this though. Most men I imagine (though open to correction here) can count the number of times on one hand this has happened to them. For a lot of women it's a weekly occurrance if they go out pubbing/clubbing every week. I don't think it's taken seriously when a woman complains either. If a guy grabs my bum I turn around and give out and him and all his mates including women and anyone else who's around just laugh it off. Nothing happens to the guy. No consequences whatsoever.

I'd say if I asked my friends a lot of them wouldn't take it seriously either. I don't know why men and women seem to think this is acceptable behaviour.

Playboy

No

jaffacakesyum wrote: »

I don't know why both sexes aren't equally outraged. No one has the right to touch someone like that, regardless of gender.

I don't agree that women have a particular advantage in this though. Most men I imagine (though open to correction here) can count the number of times on one hand this has happened to them. For a lot of women it's a weekly occurrance if they go out pubbing/clubbing every week. I don't think it's taken seriously when a woman complains either. If a guy grabs my bum I turn around and give out and him and all his mates including women and anyone else who's around just laugh it off. Nothing happens to the guy. No consequences whatsoever.

I'd say if I asked my friends a lot of them wouldn't take it seriously either. I don't know why men and women seem to think this is acceptable behaviour.

I agree no one has the right to touch anyone but if it happens to me I'm just not bothered. I dont know why.. maybe I should be? I think you are stretching things to claim that it happens to most women as a weekly occurence. Its a rare occurence for anyone in my social group both male and female. I have also seen a number of incidents involving bouncers, slaps, drinks over guys heads when a guy has done it... I have never seen a reaction in any way extreme when the situation is reversed.

The Corinthian

jaffacakesyum wrote: »

For a lot of women it's a weekly occurrance if they go out pubbing/clubbing every week. I don't think it's taken seriously when a woman complains either. If a guy grabs my bum I turn around and give out and him and all his mates including women and anyone else who's around just laugh it off. Nothing happens to the guy. No consequences whatsoever.

Actually, if you complain to the management, the guy would be thrown out very quickly as they would be terrified of a court case - the reverse would not happen. Additionally, you have the option of slapping the guy or throwing a drink in his face - again, the reverse would result in his being thrown out of the bar in question, if not arrested for assault.

If you shrug it off, that's your choice, but that does not mean that the potential consequences are the same.

The reason is that it is presumed that men 'love the attention' and women are doing them a 'favour' when molesting them. This used to be the attitude twoards women, but has largely been drummed out of what is considered socially acceptable.

As women have become more aggressive sexually, you see this far more. It takes a brave man to reject a woman's (drunken) sexual advances nowadays as it can often result is physical assault, which of course will be ignored or laughed at if reported to the Gardai - after all, we're all asking fer it...

miamee

On a night out with my younger sister and her friends a few years ago for my sister's birthday, I met one of her friends for the first time. Had been told beforehand that she was a bit 'mad' (she still is). At some point this girl had a guy up against a wall/pillar in the pub we were in and started pulling at his boxers. I missed the start of the incident so have no idea what it was all about, possibly nothing but a notion in her head to do it. He was mortified, her friends were watching and so were his. She ripped the boxers off him in pieces from under his jeans and sure it was all a great laugh. I remember giving out to my sister and saying that this girl had basically assaulted that poor lad but her and her friends just laughed it off. If it was a man pulling the underwear off a woman in a pub, he would have been lynched IMO.

jaffacakesyum

The Corinthian wrote: »

Actually, if you complain to the management, the guy would be thrown out very quickly as they would be terrified of a court case - the reverse would not happen. Additionally, you have the option of slapping the guy or throwing a drink in his face - again, the reverse would result in his being thrown out of the bar in question, if not arrested for assault.

If you shrug it off, that's your choice, but that does not mean that the potential consequences are the same.

The reason is that it is presumed that men 'love the attention' and women are doing them a 'favour' when molesting them. This used to be the attitude twoards women, but has largely been drummed out of what is considered socially acceptable.

As women have become more aggressive sexually, you see this far more. It takes a brave man to reject a woman's (drunken) sexual advances nowadays as it can often result is physical assault, which of course will be ignored or laughed at if reported to the Gardai - after all, we're all asking fer it...

I never brush it off I get very angry when it happens but you're right, if I choose to slap every man who has done that to me I'd get away with it. If a man did the same to a woman he'd be in big trouble. I agree with you there. Stupid double standards. The thought of slapping someone never crosses my mind, I just give out to them.

And to the previous poster (forgot to quote you, sorry), it's not an exaggeration for me. It's a rare occurance if I go out and don't get my ass slapped or squeezed or my tits grabbed at. And nobody sees it as a big deal. Maybe I should start reporting to management. Anytime I go out with a group of girls there will be at least one incident of it so I'm not actually exaggerating. I know it sounds incredible but it's just such an everyday occurance now to people. And I'm not claiming the women who do get molested are of the same opinion of me. Some would be very angry, like me, others would be a little annoyed but not think twice of it and some just plain don't care or find it funny. So I'm not being over-dramatic in that way; I do realise not everyone takes it as seriously as me. I just think it's completely unacceptable.

nicowa

On the subject of men being grabbed - I helped with auditions in London a couple of years ago and in one of the group workshops one of the actresses asked for an actor to come up for someone to talk at. It was allowed and she spent her audition raging at him (Lady Macbeth's speech to Macbeth). But at one point in referring to his (Macbeths) manhood she grabbed his crotch.

Now I know that may have been a way to play it, it could even have been a very viable way to play it. But it was the main reason we didn't ask her back as she hadn't cleared it with the actor.

Now, everyone was pretty shocked about it - you know when you can feel that ripple in the room. But no one (Director included) asked her to stop her audition.

strobe

The Corinthian wrote: »

As women have become more aggressive sexually, you see this far more. It takes a brave man to reject a woman's (drunken) sexual advances nowadays as it can often result is physical assault, which of course will be ignored or laughed at if reported to the Gardai - after all, we're all asking fer it...

I've been rejecting women's drunken sexual advances since I was 15 or so and I've never once had it result in a physical assault.

It happens but the whole 'often happens' 'you'd want to be a brave man' stuff... c'mon man, massive agageration, no?

The Corinthian

strobe wrote: »

It happens but the whole 'often happens' 'you'd want to be a brave man' stuff... c'mon man, massive agageration, no?

No it's not.

My experience is that women don't take sexual rejection terribly well. Best case scenario, you'll just get persistence even after you've said no. Worst case you'll get verbal and/or physical abuse.

Rejecting a partner/spouse/girlfriend is by far the most dangerous scenario.

Perhaps you've been lucky or don't reject many women, but I've certainly experienced it a few times.

henryd65

Two weekends ago, I spent a night in a hospital in a children's ward with my 5 year old daughter.

I was sitting in a chair and as there was an empty bed next to my daughter's bed and I asked the female nurse could I lie on the bed. I was told that any spare beds were kept for mothers, so no, I could not use it. The bed remained empty for the night.

My wife stayed with our daughter for the second night and my wife was given a bed automatically.

ronjo

henryd65 wrote: »

Two weekends ago, I spent a night in a hospital in a children's ward with my 5 year old daughter.

I was sitting in a chair and as there was an empty bed next to my daughter's bed and I asked the female nurse could I lie on the bed. I was told that any spare beds were kept for mothers, so no, I could not use it. The bed remained empty for the night.

My wife stayed with our daughter for the second night and my wife was given a bed automatically.

That is absolutely disgraceful. What was the logic from the nurses point of view?

runawaybishop

No

At the bar in a busy pub, queueing for what seems like eternity along with the rest of the guys. Girl/s walks up, catches the eye of the barstaff (not always men) and get served their drinks in a few seconds.

(╯°□°）╯︵ ┻━┻

The Corinthian

runawaybishop wrote: »

At the bar in a busy pub, queueing for what seems like eternity along with the rest of the guys. Girl/s walks up, catches the eye of the barstaff (not always men) and get served their drinks in a few seconds.

While sexist, in fairness this works both ways, depending upon what situation you're in and who's serving.

runawaybishop

No

The Corinthian wrote: »

While sexist, in fairness this works both ways, depending upon what situation you're in and who's serving.

I did point out that it happens when there are both male and female bar staff. Obviously my experience is not your experience though.

The Corinthian

runawaybishop wrote: »

I did point out that it happens when there are both male and female bar staff.

I see. Honestly, I've never seen this, but as you said our experiences may differ.

ncmc

ElleEm wrote: »

I think you only to ask any unmarried/ separated fathers have they experienced sexism and the answer will be a resounding "yes".

Irish law is so discriminatory against fathers, in that if a child is born to unmarried parents, the mother is the automatic guardian. The father, (named on birth cert or not) is essentially a nobody unless the mother agrees to sign the gaurdianship papers (or he takes her to court). It is truly a disgrace, and scary how little is known about it. I actually don't think I have ever spoken to a unmarried father who has known about this (unless they are going through the process of getting joint guardianship).

Not just unmarried fathers either. Someone very close to me is going through a separation with his wife at the moment and she is playing dirty with regards to allowing him access to the kids. He is on the birth cert, but the reality is that the mother holds all the cards when it comes to custody. Hopefully he’ll get sorted going the legal route, but the rate the justice system in this country works is laughable and meanwhile weeks and weeks are passing where he isn’t seeing his kids.

henryd65 wrote: »

Two weekends ago, I spent a night in a hospital in a children's ward with my 5 year old daughter.

I was sitting in a chair and as there was an empty bed next to my daughter's bed and I asked the female nurse could I lie on the bed. I was told that any spare beds were kept for mothers, so no, I could not use it. The bed remained empty for the night.

My wife stayed with our daughter for the second night and my wife was given a bed automatically.

That is absolutely shocking! It’s like mother and baby changing rooms, or changing tables that are in the ladies toilets. Where are fathers supposed to change nappies? On their laps?

Someone mentioned sexual harrassement in work, my husband in his last place of work was regularly being grabbed and groped and getting the most awful sexual innuendo hurled at him by a female member of staff. If the roles were reversed, he would have been fired. Simple as that.

On a much less serious note, does it bother the men here when ads say things like ‘mum’s favourite multi vitamin for their kids’ or ‘mum’s prefer this kind of yoghurt’. As a woman, it drives me mad. It’s such sexism and really is such an outdated mode of advertising when you consider in modern families and especially since the recession, it’s very often the father doing the bulk of the child minding.