Outrageous sexism alert.

[derxa]

I was at an agricultural trade fair/show today (AgriScot). I went to look at quad bikes because ours is knackered. i asked the salesman about one of them. He said, 'Do you want it for a toy?' What would be the perfect MN response?

What would Lord Sugar say? "You were trying to sell what most farmers see as a useful piece of equipment at an agricultural show and you asked the potential customer if she wanted it as a toy?"

No, he would be happy the sales staff were being pleasent and making small talk with the clients.

This place is recently full of surrendered wives from the world of daily mail.

derxa Maybe a very deadpan 'No' might suffice?

Is it?

From this thread, YES.

If OP was buying a quadbike at a bike shop or in an urban location, then I think it would be fair to question whether there was a sexist element to the question since a lot of people do like playing around on quad bikes.

But OP says she was at an Agricultural Trade Show where, presumably, most of the people will be working in agriculture. If you want a quad bike as a hobby, you probably don't go out to a trade fair for farmers.

It's the difference between assuming someone isn't a professional plumber when they're buying items at a Homebase and assuming they're not a professional when they're buying supplies at a plumbing wholesaler.

So yeah, I think in this case it's a bit weird that the salesperson immediately assumed OP was a hobbyist and think it's fair to query whether it was sexism.

It's clear most people even farmers, buy them to pratt about on. Why is it sexist to ask

Most of the time I've seen quad bikes on farms is when they take out food to the animals. Bloody useful to get to the troughs.

If you want a quad bike as a hobby, you probably don't go out to a trade fair for farmers

It wouldn't be the first place I'd go.

Most of the time I've seen quad bikes on farms is when they take out food to the animals. Bloody useful to get to the troughs.

And my experiance has been different, they have also been used to pratt about on.

I see where you are coming from OP. You were at an agricultural fair but the seller assumed you were buying it as a toy as he assumed you are not a farmer. I would suspect sexism too.

Thanks ego. You're spot on. Anyway I was only semi serious. I had a joke and and a laugh with the salesman. I just laughed like a drain and said how much is it. No problem. I was just a bit amused because normally I don't come across this type of silliness. I took a brochure and went on my way then met my cousin who recommended the best quad and the best dealer.

This place is recently full of surrendered wives from the world of daily mail.

Daily mail like to create threads that can be used as newspaper fodder. I'm guessing this one would allow a fair few outragous comments about political correctness and the like.

I think it was a bit sexist, OP. I mean, not up there with Trump, but yeah, in the context of a fair for agricultural goods, it's kinda sexist. A better question is the nice, not assuming anything, 'what do you need it for?'.

As to the answer... 'Oh, sorry, no, I need it for my sheep farm - I didn't realise these were just toys, I'll get one from that other stand then.' followed by a hearty TAKE MY MONEY ELSEWHERE flounce.

I just laughed like a drain

I've never come across this expression before.

I don't see anything wrong with the question. They have models that are toys, and models designed for work. Seems a logical question to me, just like going to a car dealer and being asked what you want the car for.

A better question is the nice, not assuming anything, 'what do you need it for?'.

Then the thread could be.

He was implying i want it for my husband!!!!
OUTRAGOUS!

I thought his comment was going to be something along the lines of 'Get your husband to come over and I'll explain it to him' or 'Is it for your husband or your son?'

I don't know why asking if it is for a toy is sexist. If anything it's men who get stereotyped as to buying 'boys toys' type vehicles, not women. Maybe that particular one is primarily used for leisure. Maybe he thinks it's a bit shit for leisure. Who knows.

Yay - another professionally offended OP bleating (see what I did there) about non existent sexism... you do know that this kind of thing undermines actual sexism?

I had quite a chuckle at this

what does your husband want you to use it for?

A better question is the nice, not assuming anything, 'what do you need it for

Or 'is there anything I can help you with?'

Leaving the customer to explain what they want.

is there anything I can help you with?'

He assumed as a woman i needed help with the boys toys.!!!

We can twist everything.

This is a perfect example of being over sensitive to sexism. It just simply wasn't there OP.

This place is recently full of surrendered wives from the world of daily mail.

I look to my husband for guidance and wisdom and pray that you find your way.

I suspect the OP had the salesman down as sexist before he opened his mouth.

MuseumofCurry I can't keep a husband but luckily my son is available to tell me what I should be thinking.

Yay - another professionally offended OP bleating (see what I did there) about non existent sexism... you do know that this kind of thing undermines actual sexism? I'm not offended at all. In fact this is unusual. I'm a women in man's world and I've not had this sort of silly comment often. In his defence he did go on to explain the best quad for my needs.