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?

Are you seriously telling me you haven't been to trade shows and been asked "business or pleasure

The OP wasn't asked that. The assumption was 'pleasure'.

And TBF, no I haven't. Most people at trade shows assume I am there to buy something for business. Until told otherwise.

The OP wasn't asked that. The assumption was 'pleasure'.

NO, IT WAS A QUESTION!

Do you want it for a toy

Is a question not an assumption.

you do know that this kind of thing undermines actual sexism?

This kind of thing is actual sexism. It's also shit sales technique.

This kind of thing is actual sexism

Why?

Surely it would only be sexism if it wasn't also something asked to men?

It's a standard question probably asked to everyone.

This kind of thing is actual sexism

And you wonder why women distance themselves from feminism....

sorry i am usually the first to whiff sexist comments but I dont see it here.
Lots of people just get quads for fun, men and women.

It's a standard question probably asked to everyone. Actually if he had said this to a male farmer he would have got the face. It would never have happened.

Actually if he had said this to a male farmer he would have got the confused face. It would never have happened.

You don't know that.

You are ASSUMING that.

unless you can prove that he hadn't said it to other people then you are filling in a lot of blanks to make it sexist.

Lots of people just get quads for fun, men and women. That's your experience but not mine.

Because it's a trade fair. Just. Maybe you don't understand how they work.

I go to book fairs. No one has ever asked me if I want to curl up with a box of chocolates and a chick lit novel, even when I've been enquiring about a chick lit author. You can do that and many millions of do. But that's not why I'm there and people realise that.

I imagine the same goes for women asking about quad bikes at an agricultural trade fairs. Except at this one.

And now you know how he meant the comment AND how every sheep farmer on the planet would react? Seriously OP - let it go.

Actually if he had said this to a male farmer he would have got the confused face. It would never have happened

Exactly. Call me crazy but If I were selling what is mainly a useful piece of farm equipment at a farm show, I would assume most people wanted it as farm equipment.

derxa

Most of the farmers that I know (and I know alot) buy the quads primarily for their teenage children, who then start to use them on the farm as vehicles.

They buy them through shows and farm suppliers (as you know) to get a better deal.

I go to book fairs. No one has ever asked me if I want to curl up with a box of chocolates and a chick lit novel

Were you buying bulk amounts at the time, that's why?

If you were buying one item you might get asked if it's for a hobby.

Yes, he was being sexist. It's an agricultural show. ffs he wouldn't have assumed a man wanted it as a toy.

It reminds me of the time, I was at such a show and there was a plant auction. I was bidding on a generator and one of DH's friends rushed off to find him and ask him did he know I was bidding on my own DH was and refused to come back to make sure I was bidding properly.

OP, I think I would have replied, 'Oh, do you only sell toy quads? I need a real one for my multi-acre sheep farm.' but I have perfected being arsey to idiots

And you wonder why women distance themselves from feminism....

I don't wonder about how other people regard sexism Livia. I just know it when I see it. Meanwhile you remain free to do whatever you like.

I think it's a question of being taken seriously.
I think being asked if you wanted something as a toy (at a trade show) is not being taken seriously.

I am trying to think of a reversal case involving a male customer and a female salesperson at a trade show.

he wouldn't have assumed a man wanted it as a toy.
Can you prove this?

not really, in fact in my experience men and women use them on farms..:)
I see how his question could have been read as slightly annoying for you but it is hardly 'outrageous sexism' now is it?
"Outrageous sexism" would be eg women not being 'allowed' to work or vote.

I think being asked if you wanted something as a toy (at a trade show) is not being taken seriously.

It depends on the item surely?