Article by Fabafterfifty
The age of chauvinism is certainly not dead!
When calling a removals company to quote for our house move, I was rather surprised to be asked by the gentleman doing the assessment ‘ I’m assuming your husband will be there’. When I told him no, he asked ‘will he be joining us at any time? You said you need to make a decision quickly’.
Anyone who knows me will know that this sort of attitude is rather like waving a red rag to a bull.
Firstly he assumed that I had a husband, and secondly that either I was not capable of making a decision or would not be trusted by my husband to do so.
Old attitudes still prevail
It’s hard to believe that in 2011 these attitudes still prevail.
As an independent business woman having spent most of my career working in a male dominated sector I have always ‘held my own’ and am used to be treated as an equal.
But I often encounter chauvinism outside of the workplace. Especially when dealing with tradespeople. And especially over the phone.
Women influence the majority of major purchasing decisions
Women today are used to making decisions. We have run homes, many live alone and are the sole decision makers ( as was the case for me until relatively recently). We have held jobs, run businesses. We have marriages based on equal partnerships. We are capable as individuals and as part of a couple. Research shows that women influence the buying decisions of 80% of major purchases.
In today’s economy can anyone really afford to alienate any customers?
What happened to ‘my chauvinist’? Will he get the business?
Well he was half an hour late ( with no call or apology), very uncomfortable, and tried to sell me building services totally separate from the removals quote!
Will he get my business?
I haven’t decided yet. But chauvinists beware!! We women are a feisty lot when crossed. And women over 50 have had lots of practice at making decisions.
Photo credit: akarakingdom
Don’t give him your business! Late, rude and up selling unrelated services; massive red flags there.
And what if he damages something during the removal. He sounds like the kind of person who would try and conceal any damage he has caused!
I moved house soon after my husband died (16 years ago) and bought new furniture – paid by credit card. They sent me a copy of the credit card slip (I forget why) – and a second copy, in a second envelope, for my ‘husband’ – presumably to tell him that his little wife had spent all this money! I rang them up – suggested I go up to the cemetery with a medium every time I want to spend money…admittedly I did go on a bit, but I was furious. I don’t suppose they did it again.