Gobsmacked.

[FionaH]

Ok let me put my cards on the table. I am a feminist, camped at greenham, gone on marches. Tried to bring two boys up to respect ALL of womens strengths etc.

How I read the original post was Pots is gobsmacked that anyone with half a brain would want to be a plumber. Correct me if I am wrong but Pots is also a plumber? It is a dirty, smelly often cold and yukky job. Most plumbers, sparks etc that I know all agree that they would do something cleaner, warmer and less yukky if they had their time again
Yes it is unfortunate that he mentioned her sex, age and hair colour but hey ho we don't live in a perfect world and Pots is of a certain age after all

I work with a young girl who is in my opinion way too smart to be working in a shop, she is 19 and could be doing anything. That isn't a sexist comment, if I mention that she is a perfect size ten then it would be. (She is a perfect 10 btw and I make her stand a long way away. I learnt a while back that it doesn't do to stand next to pretty young girls!)

There are many many examples of sexual inequality in this world. Young girls are still subjected to female circumcision, a woman cannot drive a car in Saudi without her fathers permission, young girls are being trafficked for the sex trade. These are the things we need to be fighting against, imo, not a perfectly nice middle aged bloke being "gobsmacked"

Grabs tin hat and goes to sit in the corner.

[donnakebab]

I know. My bad.

Well the way I see it is this; in the words of the curvaceous, petite, blonde, pretty, savy business woman that is Dolly Parton 'He's just a man'

Only kidding boys.

[zazen999]

There are many many examples of sexual inequality in this world. Young girls are still subjected to female circumcision, a woman cannot drive a car in Saudi without her fathers permission, young girls are being trafficked for the sex trade. These are the things we need to be fighting against, imo, not a perfectly nice middle aged bloke being "gobsmacked"

That is exactly what the bosses used to say to me when I'd been through the mill with comments like these. Put a grievance in 'He's just having a laugh'. Take time off sick with stress 'Just pull yourself together - you choose to be an engineer, you have to learn how to take it'. And so on. 'You could be in Xland - they don't even let women wear trousers there, stop making a fuss'.

It's even worse when perfectly nice gentlemen do it, as it looks like the girl is the one that's making a mountain out of a molehill 'he's lovely, what are you making a fuss about?'.

I've known women at college studying male subjects who couldn't hack it - the [constant droning] sexism, not the actual training. One in my class tried to jump off Rochester bridge during the 80s - I remember it well. I once was told I had submitted a 'perfect essay on Plant [the machines]' and got 70%. Right.

It doesn't mean we shouldn't react to it when it happens here, just because it's worse elsewhere.

[SarzWix]

Why is it a choice Fi? Why can't one resist sexism in all its forms? Pointing out 'minor' sexism doesn't preclude one from also fighting the major...

[chris]

Perhaps I should say my post about a big hairy blokes bottom hanging out of his trousers was in jest..

I think I need a disclaimer in my sig saying my sense of humor is extremely dry/warped/whatever

So, erm what seeds have we all sown today?

[cardiffsteve]

So, erm what seeds have we all sown today?

Dissent and hatred by the looks of it.

[Nicos]

I think most people have had a chance to express their feelings....and in the interest of peace and harmony....(and a few lessons learned) I'm going to close this thread.

I am sure Colin had no intention of offending anyone with his initial post and we look forward to some more of his constructive postings- and particularly his brilliant jokes