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Original poster

Would you think this was sexist

27 replies

Shroad · 29/08/2023 13:44

At a car garage for new tyres. Few men waiting in front and when their tyres were done they just reversed out by themselves. Garage owner offered to reverse my car out for me and laughed. Is this sexist?

OP posts:
matthancockscareer · 29/08/2023 13:45

Yes it's sexist - however I would have been grateful as I'm shit at reversing!

KinooOrKinog · 29/08/2023 13:46

Yes. What did you say?

Glorifried · 29/08/2023 13:47

Say 'no thanks'.

Or 'yes please' if you'd like him to.

I wouldn't think it was sexist. Maybe the man was a regular customer? Maybe he'd been asked and you hadn't heard?

HamishTheCamel · 29/08/2023 13:49

Yes, it's sexist.

Cowlover89 · 29/08/2023 13:50

Yes

cruffinsmuffin · 29/08/2023 13:52

If there's no other known factors (the other people go in regularly, have done it several times before etc) then yes - if he's only offered because you're a woman and he thinks you can't reverse, obviously yes.

2023forme · 29/08/2023 13:54

Yes it is sexist in my opinion. Garage guy probably thought he was being helpful/kind owing to socialised everyday sexism. Or he thought 'women can't reverse/are poor drivers' but either way, it is sexism.

Summerslimtime · 29/08/2023 13:55

Yes it is, but my garage always half blocks me in and its a nightmare.

CurlewKate · 29/08/2023 13:55

Yes. Sexist. Particularly with the added laugh.

FieldInWhichFucksAreGrownIsBarren · 29/08/2023 13:56

It's more the laugh that makes it sexist than the actual offer. What did you say to him? I'd have been tempted to ask what was funny.

Hmindr68 · 29/08/2023 14:03

Yep (as a person who works for a garage)

newnamethanks · 29/08/2023 14:04

Yes, but useful on occasion.

Pocketfullofdogtreats · 29/08/2023 14:10

There was a thread a few months back about men v women drivers, and some fun comments, so the very next day it was fresh in my mind when I apologised to the window cleaner that his van was boxed in and he wouldn't be able to turn round. He replied, "It's OK, I'm a bloke. I can reverse." So I said, "Ah, you have a willy. How does it help? Do you balance it on the steering wheel while you're looking behind?"
His face was a picture (I'm an old woman!) but I spoilt the effect somewhat by going red :(

ChocolateCinderToffee · 29/08/2023 14:12

‘No thanks and I’ll take my car to a different garage in future.’

newnamethanks · 29/08/2023 14:20

👏 👏 👏 dogtreats

Callywals · 29/08/2023 14:27

I don't care if its sexist, I'd have just been grateful that he reversed it out for me. At my garage they never offer, they just all stand around staring whilst I struggle to reverse it as its the most terrible car park. Last time a nearby taxi driver even got out of his cab and walked along the side of me instructing me where to turn etc That was probably sexist but he'd noticed me struggling and the garage guys doing nothing to help me. I only take it there because it's cheap and somehow my old banger sails through its MOT every time there, so I put up with the behaviour.

Themosswidow · 29/08/2023 14:30

Last time a nearby taxi driver even got out of his cab and walked along the side of me instructing me where to turn etc That was probably sexist but he'd noticed me struggling and the garage guys doing nothing to help me

I don't think that is sexist. I think it is helpful. It would be sexist if he did that when you were not struggling.

pinkyredrose · 29/08/2023 14:31

It's sexist.

Also the women on here who have trouble reversing maybe you should book some advance driving lessons.

fionathompson1 · 29/08/2023 14:35

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This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

SouthLondonMum22 · 29/08/2023 14:35

It's sexist. Especially with the laugh.

I would've given him an earful.

Callywals · 29/08/2023 14:36

@Themosswidow yes, you are right and I was extremely grateful to him. I just meant the garage guys all stood around watching while I tried to reverse and never offered to help, whereas the taxi driver immediately came to my rescue. Whether he would have done that for a man, I don't know?

Callywals · 29/08/2023 14:41

@pinpinkyredrose I don't usually have trouble reversing, it's just the garage I go to has a really awkward carpark and customers just abandon their cars anywhere as there is never any room to park. It's pot luck each time I go whether I get blocked in or not, I don't think I need extra lessons because of that, I think anyone, male or female would struggle.

Themosswidow · 29/08/2023 14:44

Callywals · 29/08/2023 14:36

@Themosswidow yes, you are right and I was extremely grateful to him. I just meant the garage guys all stood around watching while I tried to reverse and never offered to help, whereas the taxi driver immediately came to my rescue. Whether he would have done that for a man, I don't know?

It would have been ok to ask for help. I do that now, if I have a tricky manoeuvre to make. I have no problem asking someone nearby if they could help direct me out. I would have asked the garage guys to direct me. Or told them to!

Deadringer · 29/08/2023 14:47

It is sexist, but last time I was getting new tyres I was anxious about backing out and hoped someone would assist me, not because I am bad at reversing, but because the garage opens straight out onto a fairly busy footpath and road. As it happens the place emptied out a bit and i had enough room to turn around and drive out.

sunglassesonthetable · 29/08/2023 15:00

Yes its sexiest.

But I'd have slapped his hand off.

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