Posted by Essie at 10:29pm Sep 1 '04Call me old fashioned, but I've always turned to guys for help when it comes to automotive, mechanical, electrical, mathematical, plumbing, and otherwise seemingly masculine problems.
I've always watched when having a male assist me with something so that in the future, I would be more able to fend for myself.
Today I was walking out of class when this guy struck up a conversation with me. He mentioned that he was going to the cafeteria because his car wouldn't start and he couldn't leave to get something. I asked him if he knew what the problem was, and he said he had left his lights on and his battery was dead.
Thats simple. He needed his car jump started. I asked him if he had any jumper cables and he said, "what?" I then repeated myself, stopped myself short, and asked where he was parked and if he wanted my help.
I walk to one end of the campus and drove around to the other to meet him at his car. Using my jumper cables, and instructing him where to put the clamps on, and assuring him that yes, it was his engine that he needed to crank, and not mine, we got his car started.
This is the comment that struck me as odd. "You sure know a lot about this for a girl." Not "Thanks" or even a smile. I turned bright red, and for some reason or another felt embarrassed.
I was doing all of this as graciously as possible. I made every effort not to make him feel stupid. If I were in a similiar situation, I would want someone to kindly help me out. I didn't mean to make him feel less "Manly" or whatever.
Yes, stereotypically, the roles should have been reversed. I still think he should have said thank you.
And maybe he should have gone home and drank some testosterone?
I've always watched when having a male assist me with something so that in the future, I would be more able to fend for myself.
Today I was walking out of class when this guy struck up a conversation with me. He mentioned that he was going to the cafeteria because his car wouldn't start and he couldn't leave to get something. I asked him if he knew what the problem was, and he said he had left his lights on and his battery was dead.
Thats simple. He needed his car jump started. I asked him if he had any jumper cables and he said, "what?" I then repeated myself, stopped myself short, and asked where he was parked and if he wanted my help.
I walk to one end of the campus and drove around to the other to meet him at his car. Using my jumper cables, and instructing him where to put the clamps on, and assuring him that yes, it was his engine that he needed to crank, and not mine, we got his car started.
This is the comment that struck me as odd. "You sure know a lot about this for a girl." Not "Thanks" or even a smile. I turned bright red, and for some reason or another felt embarrassed.
I was doing all of this as graciously as possible. I made every effort not to make him feel stupid. If I were in a similiar situation, I would want someone to kindly help me out. I didn't mean to make him feel less "Manly" or whatever.
Yes, stereotypically, the roles should have been reversed. I still think he should have said thank you.
And maybe he should have gone home and drank some testosterone?