A note:

[sessifet]

Just because some of us seemingly don't conform to what the beauty industry thinks we should look like, does not mean there is no pressure on us. Yes, having a job where no-one cares what you look like because they're interested in what's in your head is handy. However, there still pressure on us to look feminine. Professional and respectable, but still feminine.

Please don't be insulting by claiming there is a) no pressure on us and b) because there's none on you and you can afford to not give a shit, we should do the same thing, even if it might (or in some cases will) jeopardise what we've worked hard for to achieve.

I hate to play it, but by god, if you give me enough of a reason I will take out my gender card* and stuff it up a few choice orifices with the use of a very big stick**.

*Which is, yes, pink and incidently laminated so your blood will easily wash off.

** A pretty blue stick with sparklies. And a blade.

ETA: Right. The reason I hate to play the gender card? I never quite pull off 'slightly irate, yet reasonable feminist'. Instead I zoom right on to 'Oh shit, rabid feminazi. Run!.'

I'm reasonable, honest. I shall put the sparkly stuff away now and promise to play nice.

Comments

[jacqamoe.livejournal.com]

It's hard which every way you look... I spent most of my working life having my cleavage spoken to regardless of the fact that it was the contents of my head that needed to be noticed at the time! I therefore spent years covering up and hiding certain assets that are as much a part of me as my intellect, in a vein attempt to be taken seriously! Yes, I too have often wished for your pretty blue stick so I could show some men exactly where and how far to go shove it! ;)

[sessifet25.livejournal.com]

Indeed. But one has to be careful not to go too far and go 'All men are pigs,' and I think I may have come across as saying that up there.

I shall think about this and maybe do a slightly more coherent post (which, knowing me, will probably come across as 'Kill everyone! Grah!' :)) later on.

[jacqamoe.livejournal.com]

Ah, so you mean there are a few good men out there and they may in fact be so good that it's not actually reasonable to go around killing them all?! ;) Luckily I have found one of these rare and lovely creatures, so maybe I should think about cooking him a nice dinner before going on the rampage and dealing with all the jerks I've met over the years too...?! *giggle*

[swaldman.livejournal.com]

I didn't get "all men are pigs" from that.
More "some people are idiots", which is well-known, and which this is a manifestation of.

I'm lucky enough (in this particular respect) to be male, but also unlucky enough to work in the design industry, where appearance and fashion is all-important. This doesn't sit well with me...
(I have to do smart casual. A suit is considered too formal, and a neat polo shirt, which I do well, is considered too casual. But anything in-between on me automatically looks scruffy rather than stylish, and thus my appearance has been brought up as a problem in formal annual reviews more than once)

[jacqamoe.livejournal.com]

A simple little black dress might well be your answer when next this matter is bought up?! Well it could be viewed as trendsetting and therefore desirable in the design industry... ;)

[swaldman.livejournal.com]

I came quite close to this at one stage, when it was over 30 degrees C in the office, and shorts and summer dresses were OK for women but not for men.....

[sessifet25.livejournal.com]

Now there's an image :)

[purplepooka.livejournal.com]

Yay! < applause >

I want a gender card! And a stick! But can mine be purple?

[sessifet25.livejournal.com]

Sure. It can be sparkly too, if you want.