Would you like Advanced Silicone or Regular?

“Look pretty. Get your hands dirty. Every day.”

I’m talking about silicone caulk, not breast implants, but the guy at big box store could have been referring to the latter based on his immediate stereotyping. I was trying to buy exterior silicone for a window repair and if there is one thing I hate shopping for in those places, it’s caulk. The bottles all look the same except for small minor wording differences on their poorly labeled bottles and different colored tops if you’re lucky. I knew what I was looking for, but I was staring away at the 50+ varieties trying to find what I wanted when one of the workers trying to be helpful asked me if I needed any help. I replied, “I know it’s pushing your closing time, so perhaps you can help me find exterior white silicone faster.” He said, “Okay, do you want Advanced or regular?” I immediately replied, “Advanced,” and he looked at me and said, “Wow, I didn’t expect you to know that. Most women who get sent in by their husbands don’t know all the details.” I held my tongue as he handed me the bottle and I went to pay.

Ladies, this is the stereotype we have earned to date. In this young man’s mind there was no way it could have possibly been “me” buying the product, that I could have actually known the kind of product I was looking for and not only that, I was the one actually doing the repair! I can tell you about ten other similar examples off the top of my head and every one drives me crazy.

Let’s change the conversation and change the way we are viewed by doing more. Be brave. Show up. Look pretty. Get your hands dirty. Every day. Trust me, it’s good for your soul and even better for humanity!