I believe what we saw in that locker room was cowering to the Alpha (not that I see that tangerine that way). Men yield to those they see as more powerful. It's as pathetic as it sounded and looked. It made me realize that when women gather, it's empowering. When men gather, it's toxic.
Not too long ago, I was sitting at a dinner for work with one of our C-levels from the East Coast office. He's my age (GenX). He'd ask me a question to engage in conversation, then talk over me with a joke and turn to the 20-somethings and laugh. (Side Note: He was once in the military.) That happened several times during the meal. And the point of it was? To keep me in my place or to salve his insecurity? I was the only woman at the table. The only woman in my office. And, yet, I was still a threat. Why else do men treat women that way if we aren't a threat to them/their egos in some way? (And, yes, I stopped talking to him once interrupted and would only answer a question with a single word for the rest of the meal, in the most smiling, polite, professional manner.)
Women won more at the Olympics. They needed to be kept in their place. Which was at Stanley Tucci's table being fed well and enjoying themselves in Milan while those boys choked down room temp fast food in a very tacky room. Tell me who the real winners were there. I know what the losers look like. Great post. Cheers, Monica. xo
Sounds like a miserable dinner, Sandra! At least you knew those men were just nursing insecurities. I worry that younger women feel like they're doing something wrong in those situations. Thanks for setting a great example.
I believe what we saw in that locker room was cowering to the Alpha (not that I see that tangerine that way). Men yield to those they see as more powerful. It's as pathetic as it sounded and looked. It made me realize that when women gather, it's empowering. When men gather, it's toxic.
Not too long ago, I was sitting at a dinner for work with one of our C-levels from the East Coast office. He's my age (GenX). He'd ask me a question to engage in conversation, then talk over me with a joke and turn to the 20-somethings and laugh. (Side Note: He was once in the military.) That happened several times during the meal. And the point of it was? To keep me in my place or to salve his insecurity? I was the only woman at the table. The only woman in my office. And, yet, I was still a threat. Why else do men treat women that way if we aren't a threat to them/their egos in some way? (And, yes, I stopped talking to him once interrupted and would only answer a question with a single word for the rest of the meal, in the most smiling, polite, professional manner.)
Women won more at the Olympics. They needed to be kept in their place. Which was at Stanley Tucci's table being fed well and enjoying themselves in Milan while those boys choked down room temp fast food in a very tacky room. Tell me who the real winners were there. I know what the losers look like. Great post. Cheers, Monica. xo
Sounds like a miserable dinner, Sandra! At least you knew those men were just nursing insecurities. I worry that younger women feel like they're doing something wrong in those situations. Thanks for setting a great example.
Spot on