Is this sexism? Or maybe fat middle age womanism?

[RiddleyW]

I’m just waiting to board a flight flying easyJet. I’m speedy boarding/ EasyJet plus which means I get two carry on bags instead of one.

Approaching gate the woman working here asked the two men in front (having seen they had two bags each) “Speedy Boarding, Gentlemen?” with a big smile. Then barked at me “you’ll need to put that handbag in your case”.

Do you think that’s sexism? Or do I look like I can’t afford an extra £17?

I’m not particularly upset at all just wondered what you would have made of it.

An American attorney friend of mine was addressed on the assumption that the elderly man ten paces behind her at the door of the aircraft was her husband.

Because of course women out in the world always must have a husband nearby. She gave them what for.

On another occasion she was at a hotel desk checking in when a man walked to the desk, the receptionist stopped mid transaction and checked in the man before returning to this female corporate lawyer to finish. They groveled a lot afterwards but she said that was no good, why are people behaving like this in the first place and what are they going to do about it.

I think a pp has articulated why I found it annoying - I feel as though the clothes I need to project business person are ridiculous compared to those of the men.

I’m not (as I said) upset really, it was just a very striking difference in the perception of the staff member. Multiplied across all sorts of interactions all day it is wearying.

I used to do fortnightly day-trips to Edinburgh, I'd be dressed for meetings in a suit and would carry a lap-top bag.

Went on our family summer holiday from the same airport, but dressed in jeans and the clear zip-up makeup bag, with the same minimal content, that I had been using unchallenged for months, was suddenly unacceptable to security staff.

I agree Riddley It's wearying.

I’m in a casualish dress and brogues.

Good woman yourself; casual dress and brogues is one of my all time fabs.

Favs!

Politeness costs nothing. My first job at the age of 16 was as a shop assistant in Marks and Spencer's. (1963) Rudeness to customers was not tolerated even if they were idiots at times. All that woman needed to do was to say "Speedy Boarding today?" to you with a smile.