I have very strong feelings when it comes to gender discrimination. I’m usually telling people off whenever I come across discussions pertaining to women belonging to the inferior catgory and what not. One of my colleague sometimes counsels students by saying This is not America. While it is true that THIS really is not America, I find it hard to maintain perspective when he says that men can do anything they want because they can. And women cant. Thats the law of society and thats just how it is. So quit with the behaviour-influenced-by-western-culture. Understand?
He’s right, I know. Our culture and society favour men. We, the women are the weaker gender and even though so many issues have been raised regarding the equality of women, the gender debate is far from over.
I, personally dont think that women are any less capable compared to men. If I were a man, I’d be able to afford a wife (who wouldnt need to work) and raise children comfortably. I’d also rather punch the daylights out of all chauvinists but thats just how I feel.
So, it was a shock, a major one at that – when I discovered a woman standing with a measurement strip wound around her neck at a local tailor’s shop yesterday. I tried my best not to stare at her, closed my mouth and proceeded towards the tumultuous ordeal of talking business to her.
(After staring at the lady for a long time)
Me: Erm… where’s the other man who used to work here?
She: (Frostily) That guy left the shop ages back. He doesnt work here anymore.
(Desperately trying to figure if she would screw my dress because whoever’s heard of a female tailor??? Certainly not the pseudo-feminist that I was)
Me: Umm… It’s been years since I’ve visited your shop. Thats why I was looking for that other guy… (Attempting at something that probably does not even resemble a smile)
She: (Smiling back) Oh, thats all right. I’ve been working here for the past 4 years now.
(Sigh of relief as I exhale audibly. If she’s been working for 4 years, my clothes are in safe hands, I figure)
Me: Oh! I just didnt know that you’re working here. Okay. No problem.
As I left the shop, I thought to myself – how ironic is it that I berate others for gender discrimination when I, as a woman, did exactly that just now.
It is doubly hard to change the world unless you can change yourself. Isnt it?
You said, I said