What would you do? Woman makes drinks

[Memyselfandiiiiii]

I don't think I'm being unreasonable but this fills me with rage everyone and I don't know what to do about it.

In work meetings I'm often the only woman, but am equally well qualified as the male participants, albeit younger. So why is it that every single time the CEO says ' X will make the drinks, just tell her what you'd like '. Maybe I'm too easy to wind up but I feel absolutely raging every time. What would you do/say?

I think you have to say this to him before the meeting. I wouldn't show him up at the meeting itself, but would certainly point it out to him. Does he have a daughter who works?

In the past I have just said something along the lines of "ooooh, actually I think I was on drinks duty last time, it must be A's turn/someone else this time".

What Witsender said

Yanbu to be annoyed, it used to drive me up the wall. As did being the one always asked to take the minutes, ring for lunch, book tables for dinner etc.

That's fucking outrageous.

I'd volunteer someone else to make the drinks next time. Extra points if you volunteer the CEO

I find smooth and breezy is the best way - just say "oh I'm sure it must be x's turn this time". or if you want to avoid showing him up in front of clients or something just take him aside afterwards and say 'do you mind if x and I decide between us who makes the tea as I dont like always being volunteered." that way it looks like you are taking it off his plate to remember not to ask you. Seems a bizarre little detail for him to focussing on "leading" on anyway.

I've never been asked like this,but I'd suggest you are polite but assertive, eg
Oh, I think it's x's turn, I made them last time - or better -
Certainly (person who nominated you), why don't you give me a hand?

Are your ranks equal as well as how well qualified you are? In my experience it's the job role and not qualifications that form the internal hierarchy on a company.

If your ranks are the same, and length of time at that level, then I'd push back and point out politely that it's someone else's turn now.

Totally ridiculous.

I'd say half jokingly that I'm not the only one capable of making drinks!?!

Maybe you make the drinks well? Try serving up dishwater and you won't get asked again.

Seriously, some people can fuck up black instant coffee - so if the CEO knows someone is capable, that they like their coffee, then they will be more likely to ask them to make it next time.

It's not automatically "because you're the woman".

I would just make them really really badly. Undrinkable.

That's what men usually do to get out of shit like this.

Albeit younger you say - are you the least experienced? It might have nothing to do with sex.

I've known plenty of offices where the most junior staff member picks up the tea and coffee duties.

Is it not X's place to to have her own voice?

OMG, that's. Aking myteeth itch. I agree with breezy () "I think it's someone else's turn now".

Im sorry I misread the post

Looks like we agree Chelle except for it's not automatically "because you're the woman".

it's totally because she is a woman, it might not be a conscious decision but that will be the reason.

So is your job role the same as all the men? Or something different? Because I'm admin support to a team of people that I am also equally qualified to, but I actually have a different job and would be expected to make drinks and set up the meeting.

Agree with Witsenders response, breezy and confident.

Outrageous. I'd say 'Oh no, I did drinks last time.' With a smile, but a frosty one. But then again I don't much care about causing offence or an 'atmosphere'.

I think the same person does tend to make drink as you fall very quickly into the habit.
We have different people in different days and some will always get drinks, and some won't. Thing is if I know they usually offer around the time I would often I'll leave it, or some I know hate doing drinks so I'll offer so it's kind of self fulfilling.

Even if you are technically the most junior person, other people in the meeting (especially visitors) might not necessarily know that, and the boss asking you to make the drinks every time reinforces the gender stereotype that getting the coffee and biscuits is a woman's job. It might also infer that the CEO or the company ethos is sexist.

Perhaps you could point that out to him (I assume the CEO is a man) before the meeting?

If it's client facing, raise objections first, if it's not, then the polite smile and "no, it's definitely not my turn."

It is totally sexist unless this is a drip feed and X is actually the receptionist but has the same qualification (which is potenitally a whole other form of sexism but not this one).

Say "Oh no, I won't be having a drink thanks".

See if he has the brass neck to send you to the kitchen where as a woman you belong then.

Whats rank got to do with it? Are people of a senior rank incapable of making drinks? I doubt its written into OP's contract that she is responsible for all drinks at meetings.

Op as others have said big smile but firm tone "oh i think this time someone else can have that honour".

This happens far too often. Females at my place also get asked to take 'notes', during a meeting with males at similar level.

I agree with others, call it out subtly by saying it's not your turn/you did it last time.