Not Your Typical Girlie-Girl

A few weeks ago, an  ex co worker (why they're an ex) in the lab (yes "lab" with chemicals and everything) asked if I could help him with something excel related. I of course said yes, quickly helped him with a Vlookup, and started to go back to work. He stopped me once more before I could get out the door and asked something related to the pH of one of the glues in the mixer. I knew the answer because I had just been talking about that very thing with the quality team only hours earlier. We then got to talking about science and chemistry. I've been begging for weeks to be trained in the lab. I've known for weeks that they need help. Now that the lab tech team lead sees my potential - I might finally get my wish! Before I went back to work, my co worker said to me, "you're tricky. You look like a girlie-girl but you're really a nerd that has a deep love for science." UH, yeah, DUH. It's something my friends and family have known for YEARS! I laughed it off, said yes, and went back to work.

It wasn't until I was talking to Josh about all this that I really started to get offended. I'm "tricky". When he said it I didn't think anything of it. I was trying to get back to work. I still don't think he meant anything by it, but it bugs me. He has been judging me for over three months because of the way I dress.

I know, I know! This happens every single day. Women (and men) get judged because of how they dress and how they talk. Mind you, I don't dress like a slut at work. I also don't dress like a nun. I dress like me. I dress how I'm comfortable, but apparently it's not what a "nerd" is "supposed" to look like.Y'all, I'm almost 27 years old. I guess I'm extremely naive, but I thought the stereotypes were supposed to stay in high school. I see cases like this almost all the time, but it's never really bothered me... or maybe it's just never really hit me... until I was the one being stereotyped.

Of course I'm the one with the big mouth, too. When it had finally hit me that that's what had happened, even if the lab tech didn't mean it like that, I had to say something. I'm of the mind-set that if you know something wrong is happening then you need to say something about it. 
I didn't approach my co worker in a confrontational manner. I was calm and I explained to him that I was a little hurt that he had said what he did. I explained that I felt like he had stereotyped me. He apologized and all is right with the world, but it also got me thinking... how many women don't say anything? And why not? Why wouldn't you say anything? 

I'm not really sure where this post is going. Maybe it could be a wish. A wish that other women would have the faith and courage to stand up for what they believe in and what they feel is right. Maybe it could be I'm grateful that I was able to stand up for myself and express my feelings. Maybe I just wanted to share my story. I don't know. It happened. I've made sure everyone (that matters) in the office know my feelings. Maybe I'll still get judged silently. Maybe not. Who knows. 
I guess in a way, I am grateful for all of this. I'm also trying to be grateful about losing this job. Strange, I know, but go with it, ok? Isn't the point of having a Grateful Heart finding the good in the little things? :) 

Have you ever been stereotyped publicly to where you knew about it? What did you do? How did you handle it? I guess I'm hoping one day this sort of thing won't be so common. I would hate for either of my kids to think they have to act or dress a certain way to be taken seriously. Yes I'm a nerd. Yes, I love science. But I also love fashion. Can't I be both and still be taken seriously?