This story prompted a huge response from women (and one man) with similar tales to tell
It began as a one-off encounter of everyday sexism told by Daily Telegraph economics correspondent Anna Isaac after a man spotted her reading the business section of the Daily Telegraph and the FT on the train.
When a man on the train expresses surprise that a ‘young lady’ is reading the business section of the Telegraph and the FT. He starts explaining that Davos happens every year. What CBI and ECB stands for. I try to politely move on… he asks: ‘So what is it you do?’ 😬
— Anna Isaac (@Annaisaac) January 26, 2018
And yet pretty soon it had snowballed into a thread which suggests the nation still has some way to go before the reality matches our expectations.
But first, let’s check what happened next.
Please tell me you told him?
— Nicola Slawson (@Nicola_Slawson) January 26, 2018
Sure did. It’s made so much more difficult but not looking like someone who’d be interested in economics you understand… ♀️ I realise nothing bad meant but yikes
— Anna Isaac (@Annaisaac) January 26, 2018
He has a point. Women who have a passion for economics wear RINGBINDERS FOR TOPS AND TIPPEX FOR EYESHADOW
— Leaf Arbuthnot (@leafarbuthnot) January 26, 2018
Would mind far less were it not for the fact it turned out he runs a company. And it’s not a small one.
— Anna Isaac (@Annaisaac) January 26, 2018
Gawdddd I do think some people genuinely think it’s still 1950.
— Nicola Slawson (@Nicola_Slawson) January 26, 2018
Here’s what people had to say in reply. Do share your experiences in the comments if something similar has happened to you …
1.
Waiting to speak at a Lib Dem conference fringe meeting as deputy director of a think tank. Asked if I was doing the catering
— Anna Turley MP (@annaturley) January 26, 2018
2.
I told someone that I work in the legal department of a big company. “As a what?” they said. “As a lawyer” I said. “Don’t you have to be a lawyer to work as a lawyer?” “Yes.” “……………. oh, you ARE a lawyer??”
— Ingebjørg (@ingebjorgtb) January 26, 2018
3.
My first day at Amazon. We’re in teams discussing its leadership principles. Dude in my team monopolizes the whole conversation, suddenly stares at me & other woman in team and says “well anyway this is only valid for engineers and technical positions”.
— Anna SdTC (@annasdtc) January 26, 2018
4.
I’m in my first week with a chip company. Just before my start I was introduced to some of my Michigan co-workers. A guy in his 30’s asked if I would be in HR. Uhh no.
— Stacey Randecker (@drivingmzstacey) January 26, 2018
5.
Sounds about right. It’s really fun when your husband works in the same field, and people begin conversations concerning topics in your field and/or ask for opinions, they turn to him first. Because obviously you’re just there to play wifey and talk about “womanly” topics.
— Sarah Loy (@Sarilpl) January 26, 2018
6.
Very small meeting room; mid-winter: Coats start to pile up on table by door. Senior official turns to young woman on his left: ‘Do you think you could do something about these coats?’ She said that would probably be within her power…as deputy finance minister…
— A Western diplomat (@WesterndipIomat) January 27, 2018
7.
At conference hotel… repeatedly asked by military delegates for more water/directions to lift etc. Walked on stage to deliver keynote based on PhD in AI… front 3 rows slid down in their seats trying to hide
— Armstrong Leadership (@ACCLeadership) January 27, 2018
