Reply #83: My parents laughed when I told them I wanted to be Pres and other tales [View All]

In front of everyone at the dinner table. I was in second grade and I'd ruled out being an astronaut because Valentina Tereshkova beat me to the First Female to..... thing. I proudly responded that I'd be the first female president just like Valentina Tereshkova was the first woman in space.

Come to think of it, nowadays I'd rather be an astronaut.

Some other examples in my adult life.

Age 18: I used to work at a full service gas station and did ten point maintenence check and got paid for it. My first day on the job. Some guy walked in and did a double take. "I guess that girls can do the same jobs that people can do." The icy stare of disbelief got him backtracking in a hurry.

Age 19: I got my first car but I needed insurance. So dad and I went to the insurance guy and the insurance guy told me that because I didn't have a baby I couldn't have my own policy. Dad to his credit was up in arms and asked if I was 40 years old would I still not be able to have my own policy without having a kid.

Age 20: I worked at the city desk of an electronic parts warehouse to put myself through tech school. Guy asked to talk to one of the guys. They were all on the phone so I asked if I could help them. He looked over to the guys and saw that they were still on the phone. I told him he'd have to give me a shot at it because those guys were going to be on the phone a LOOOOOOOOOOONG TIME. He finally let me see the resistor in his hand and asked me what it was. I patronized him back, giving him the most excruciatingly detailed answer possible.

Age 22: The guy that saw me pulling two carts full of computers to shipping and asked if I needed help. Not a problem except he didn't accept my no. He grabbed the heaviest cart, which caused the contents of every box of manuals to fall and get jumbled together. I told him I hadn't needed help and he could pick up the stuff he spilled without my help. I then went to the women's bathroom and waited about 15 minutes before returning to the production floor.

Ongoing: I still hate it when I'm putting oil in my car anywhere other than in my driveway. Some guy always seems to think I need his expert help. Like I never worked at a gas station and got paid to do that before.

There are other tales but I think I've told enough for now.