Strange Assumptions?

[anjou]

Do other women sometimes encounter strange assumptions from some men, or other women for that matter?

Im puzzled by a PM I received from another CF member who asked "Do you have grease under your nails?"

Would he ask a surgeon if they had blood under their nails or anyone else whos occupation might involve getting ones hands dirty? Would a mother have diaper dirt on their hands or a secretary be stained with xerox toner?

A couple of years ago I had a date with a guy I met via a dating site. I was rather taken by surprise when he asked to see my hands and was then obviously relieved when he confirmed they are soft clean and well manicured.

What are these people expecting?

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by anjou

... Im puzzled by a PM I received from another CF member who asked "Do you have grease under your nails?"

Would he ask a surgeon if they had blood under their nails or anyone else whos occupation might involve getting ones hands dirty?

Perhaps he was using “grease under your nails” as a colloquial or symbolic figure of speech describing a “working mechanic”, as opposed to (say) an engineer.

Likewise, if you have salt in your veins, you might be a cruiser.

[anjou]

Gord, maybe your right, although I thought i was well behaved by not replying with "Do you have shyte fer brains" lol

Yes I do "get my hands dirty" that is to say im a hands on person. A slide rule might work out the torque required but wont actually torque up the nut, so im not the "consulting engineer" type.

[anjou]

Likewise, if you have salt in your veins, .................you might have been enbalmed?

[Maren]

Originally Posted by anjou

Likewise, if you have salt in your veins, .................you might have been enbalmed?

No, no. That's formaldehyde ... or rum

[Hampus]

The admiral had an encounter with the harbour master where he called her to the foredeck and asked her if, by any chance, the skipper was on board. She was hopping mad

[svHyLyte]

What I find interesting is the extent to which some people automatically assume that an offhand comment is intended to be derogatory or--particularly in the case of our "liberated women"--sexist. It would be amusing if, frankly, it wasn't such a pain in the neck.

[imagine2frolic]

Once again the old saying comes into play....Never judge a book by it's cover. I have been wrenching over a period of 33 years. This includes metal fabrication, sawsalls, welding, and chopsaws. My hands are probably softer, and cleaner than most brain surgeons. I wouldn't take offense to the question at all. I would've asked back, and why do you want to know?...........i2f

[anjou]

I know that there are traditionally a few social cultural differences between the UK and the US.
Where as we used to have the class system here, and certain types were prevented or frowned upon from socialising in certain places, in the US, the attitude was, If you have the money to pay for it, your as welcome as the next person.

Same goes for jobs. Having watched a lot of satelite TV, Im impressed with the attitude the American people have for equal job opportunities. In the UK, less than 4% of the construction trade employees are female, and the majority of those are white collar jobs like surveyors and archiatects, so a female plumber or plasterer is given a mixed response. Women see them as role model heros and men see them as a threat (if a woman can do my job, what does that make me - less than a man?) and are sometimes derisory and make comments like, why dont you do a proper job and make the tea or sweep up.

Similarly, a hands on woman is thought of as being a butch dyke, dog rough or far from girlie. But it goes both ways. Male kindergarden workers are viewed with some suspicion and 30 years ago, a male nurse was a joke.

We used to have the same phobias with black or asian doctors. I dont see anyone making choices or complaining when theres an emergency.

[imagine2frolic]

You look pretty girlie to me!........i2f

[Reality Check]

[quote=anjou;301354]
Im puzzled by a PM I received from another CF member who asked "Do you have grease under your nails?"
[quote]

I rather suspect it was an apparently failed attempt at a complement.

I've actually heard the same expression used as a point of pride both by and to a very mechanically savvy admiral. I have a frequent mate who sails with me for a month at a time who is a doctor and has pride in her nails but shows me how much she enjoys doing boat clean up jobs with me by showing the oil stains after she has cleaned the engine. We both had a good laugh and jumped to another clean up job prior to taking a long swim in part to help clean our nails.

You have to remember, us "cruisers" are not always like "other" people and what may be a complement or funny to a cruiser may not be well received by many others.

Suggest you ask the person who ask the question what their intent was... possibly even let them know how you felt about it. I think no ill intent was probably meant.

[anjou]

I take that as a compliment from a very happy man with a gorgeous lucky wife

[imagine2frolic]

and meant as one! She might be gorgeous, but I don't know about lucky.....lololol......i2f

[David_Old_Jersey]

Originally Posted by anjou

Im puzzled by a PM I received from another CF member who asked "Do you have grease under your nails?"

Teehee Sorry about that. If it makes you feel better I also asked Tao Jones what colour eye shadow best matches his eyes. and I asked Gord.........actually I better not say what I asked Gord

[anjou]

[QUOTE=Reality Check;301413][quote=anjou;301354]
Im puzzled by a PM I received from another CF member who asked "Do you have grease under your nails?"

I rather suspect it was an apparently failed attempt at a complement.

I've actually heard the same expression used as a point of pride both by and to a very mechanically savvy admiral. I have a frequent mate who sails with me for a month at a time who is a doctor and has pride in her nails but shows me how much she enjoys doing boat clean up jobs with me by showing the oil stains after she has cleaned the engine. We both had a good laugh and jumped to another clean up job prior to taking a long swim in part to help clean our nails.

You have to remember, us "cruisers" are not always like "other" people and what may be a complement or funny to a cruiser may not be well received by many others.

Suggest you ask the person who ask the question what their intent was... possibly even let them know how you felt about it. I think no ill intent was probably meant.

Im never too proud to admit my mistakes and maybe ive misunderstood the subtle cultural difference. I stand corrected.

Every day is a school day, and I shall therefore take it as a compliment.