My MOST embarrassing moment to date

[TinTrunk]

Gender roles are so rigidly defined and I think many people don't quite fit them! Its a spectrum, not just a binary choice!

I was a bit like Anne. Not sporty particularly but a real tomboy, and I still prefer to have short hair and wear trousers most of the time. When I was a teenager, an old lady approached me in a queue for the ladies' toilets and told me politely I was in the wrong place! :lol:

Good luck Paul, and I hope this incident helps your sister to find a new understanding and acceptance of you.

Sarah

 

[hatfeathers]

Originally posted by vintagebaubles
when I was in grade school, and was furious I couldn't participate in the punt, pass, and kick contests!

My "you can't, you're a girl" moment was when they wouldn't let me take welding classes at the Vo-Tech in high school (this was about 1989-1991 ish). I argued that I didn't want to build a sky scraper, I wanted to learn to weld so I could sculpt...I later went on to major in art. Boy could I use that skill today! I own a sign shop (day job) and would LOVE to weld stuff for signs.

Stupid gender roles.

Strap on those boots, Paul. You look hot!

 

[MyVintageCocktail]

Jen, that's incredible you couldn't take welding that late into the century! Your school system must have been behind the times for sure! I could see it in the 60s, when I wasn't allowed to do the PP & K contest, but by the late 80s, "girls" were allowed to take welding in our vo-tech school system.

Can you take it in a continuing-ed class? I think it would be a most useful skill to have!

 

[pauline]

Originally posted by hatfeathers
Boy could I use that skill today! I own a sign shop (day job) and would LOVE to weld stuff for signs.

The other side to me that you do not see is that I have a engineering background, and earn my living today from metal work and wood working so what I say is if you would like to learn to weld then first buy a book, have a read then go to a good local tool/ engineering shop explain what you want to do welding wise and let them advise on the best setup for you.
it really is not that difficult, if you not welding cars, boilers and gas pipes, then you can learn through practice and books.


This is a book I recommend it's not too expensive and I think it will be easy to read and pick up the basics from.

workshop-practice-series-no-7-the-art-of-welding

You bee able to get it order from a good local book shop.

Metal work / engineering is not as difficult as it's made out to be it's just practice like any thing and I firmly belive it should be open to any one if they fancy having a go.

It can get a little dirty if you not too worried about oil and grease lol

 

[sarah-jane]

I'm pretty sure this will work out for the best for you Paul. And I've said it before - your legs are too good to hide them in trousers.

I love it how threads wander here..from cross dressing to welding advice absolutely seamlessly! The headmaster of our primary school offered group pottery classes for final year (aged 11) boys only. This was in 1981. I yearned to throw a pot, and have done since, but nothing quite compensates for that feeling of being excluded at such a young age. The same school insisted on PE being done in vest and knickers, which aint so great when Mother Nature has sent you ample curves early in life (aged 10). In fact, it was bloody miserable! (Scuse pun.) I expect - and fervently hope - that things have changed there.

 

[pauline]

sarah-jane maybe we should say the thread is about " Stupid gender roles" or "exclusion" the slightly different creativity which seams to be coming through a lot in this threat also. throwing a Pot, welding or working on cars and riding motor bikes, for me it's fashion also that's alternative.

I not sure if I said this before , personally it's not about wanting to be a women in the generic sense,
I spend a lot of time covered in paint and oil etc and for me it a really nice change to take some time put on a little makeup, a nice dress or some thing in a way it's the contrast that i enjoy and , worrying if my stocking are laddered or i have smudged my lipstick

I look upon it more like any of you doing the gardening or decorating in the daytime wearing practical clothes then in the everning dressing up and going out to a function in a dress and high heels.

The hardest thing for me has never been the concept of wearing women clothes. It is more about realizing how much ladies fashion are more about showing off there body in a different way to what men clothes do. Getting use to the idea of doing that I have to playing up the good points and try to show those off a little at the same time playing down the bad parts.