In honor of the anniversary of the 19th amendment I thought I would tell an "inspirational", nah, amusing story of one of my female rebellions. As a woman in a non-traditional occupation being "invisible" happened frequently. Sometimes it was a good thing when it gives one time to survey the issues and devise a strategy or when one is underestimated to good advantage. You either get a surprised or annoyed countenance turned your way when you dare to assert your right to intervene. All enjoyable. As I have stated before you need a thick skin and sense of humor in life. I think I took a whole month before I "P.O'd" the Mayor and Human Relations Director. I still blame my Mother for raising us to have a brain, ego and self-worth.
In a previous position I was the lone female "safety person". As such everyone knew me and had probably talked to me at some point or another. It is always a little embarrassing when an old colleague stops me on the street to say hello and I am clueless as to their identity. But with odds of 1,000 employees to one (me) it is inevitable.
Anyway there was a men's golf league fully supported by management (as half of them were in it) both financially and also with the privilege of leaving early for play once a week. Now anyone who knows me knows I am not the athletic-type. I am active and did a lot of climbing, jumping, crawling, lifting, carrying, etc. in my safety role, however I am not a lover of or adept at sports. Golf is especially taxing as it takes patience and practice - two things of which I am not an advocate. Frustration is the usual outcome. However I played with my husband and father. I saw it as a bonding exercise for the two of them. That I "sucked" at it was just the added bonus.
Anyway the female contingency at work started a golf league but unfortunately without the kind of support the men enjoyed. No financial incentives and no leaving early. Somebody has to answer the phone right? So they approached old non-athletic me and said "you need to join the men's league, everybody knows you". Well trust me, this was not a tradition the men wanted to change and my innermost thought was "why do I need another mountain to climb in the women's rights cause?" Well one more as it turns out. Fortunately two of my male office mates were willing to strike a blow for equality and the team of "Larry, Darold and Darelle" was born. I am blessed they did not use my right name for the last place trophy.
Of course I got my rear quarters kicked each and every week. In fact one week I forgot my golf shoes and they insisted I play barefoot. Rather pleasant actually. Two things were really unfair though. 1) they made me hit from the men's tees (which usually meant I might hit it as far as the women's tees; and 2) I could not enjoy the beverage cart because this "she-bear" does not go in the woods like the boys can. One constant however was whoever got paired against me sweat bullets until they were reassured that I was not going to beat them. This motivates however. I once got a birdie (entirely by accident I am sure) and my opponent managed to eagle the hole. Figures.
However, it was amazing how much business was discussed throughout the exercise. As the one not drinking I was able to glean and store away important intelligence for later use. Also I received even more cooperation at work for just being "one of the guys".
Digress: Anyone in the business world knows that most deals and important discussions often take place in restaurants, golf courses and men's rooms. Yes. We actually had to chase down one of our more generous management reps in the bathroom after the union side had cornered him there during a contract negotiation. Imagine their surprise. However, the trick is to not be hung up on business, BS, talk biz, BS. It works.
Anyway after that humiliating (for me) first year, the guys opened the doors and golf became a mixed company activity. Eventually it became a separate but equal proposition. All the women ever wanted.
Another funny story from that time. I discovered the best humor or joke is the one you do not even know you are committing? performing? When I agreed to join the golf league my OH (other half) had only one suggestion, which is amazing because all the guys wanted to do on league was to give me buckets of advice on my game. Anyway he bought me pink golf balls saying no one would ever mistake which was my ball. Cute, as if the one five yards in front of me was probably not my drive.
Our general manager, a bachelor at the time, was quite a prolific serial dater. Working through the secretarial pool was more than just a saying. Anyway he noticed my pink balls and asked if he could have one for his girlfriend. Without hesitation, and without intention I might add, I said "Sure how many do you want?" It was only after I heard the guffaws from the other men and his red face did I realize what I had inferred. OOPS. One of my better gaffes.....
No comments:
Post a Comment