Yes indeed, I made pot stickers. Well, Americanized ones. Specifically, Alton Brown ones. I thought they came out pretty decently considering it was my first attempt. We dipped them in a honey soy sauce that was also quite nice. Next up: I tackle Mexican! Well…there might be burgers in between. We have to use up the bacon jam I bought Zach for Valentine’s. Gosh, this post is just full of product placement. Anyway, time for the life part of the post.
Today I attended several lectures on gender in the law. It was actually quite surprising how far women still have to go, and it really made me think about my past jobs. While I have no idea if I made as much as my male counterparts, I do know that I was hired for certain jobs because of my gender. For instance, in one Office supply store I worked at, the customer service department was filled to the Max with women. Now, in the manager’s defense, the non-cashier positions did involve a certain amount of heavy lifting, however I was annoyed not to have even been given the option to try. Any attempt I’d make to grab a box of paper would result in someone shouting for a guy to come help me. In one of my other jobs, a store which was like a City of Circuitry, the customer service department was much more even in terms of gender. However, the few women to be found in the other departments were transfers from customer service. In this store, it was well known that customer service was the lowest paid, despite having arguably the most important job (who answered the phone after no more than three rings? Me, that’s who). I guess the point of all of this is that when you stop to look around, it’s interesting to note all of the instances where sexism in the workplace does exist.
Oh, and chivalry. I’m sick of chivalry. Yes, politeness is nice, but sometimes it can grate me. For instance, a few years ago I had dinner with a large group of friends. I held the door as everyone walked through, just so that the door wouldn’t be flapping for each one of us. One person, however, refused to walk through. Clearly a courteous gentleman, he motioned for me to walk and he’d hold the door for me. I gave him my most sugary smile and said, “Oh no, after you, I insist!” No one can say no to a lady. He walked. That was MY door to hold and no one else’s. But really, what was the purpose for him to attempt to take the door from me? Had he held it for everyone it would have been fine. A courteous gesture. Even if it had just been the two of us and he held it, that would have been ok. But to not allow me to complete my door holding task, simply because I have an extra X chromosome? Craziness. I do wonder…if the world changes and chivalry dies, will I miss it?
Despite all that I’ve written, do keep one thing in mind: I want off the Titanic first.
