Geek Chics and Retail

IslaScotts · 09-22-2006, 10:19 PM

Ok. I just thought I would ask you fellow geek girls out there (or men who hang out with girl geeks) do you run into problems when going into a retail store for something computer related. You see I hate going to a store to buy something computer related. Just because I wear a lot of pink and look like I could be a stripper (sometimes) doesn't mean I am ignorant or don't know anything about computers. My dad is finally getting internet back into his house and wanted me to set-up his network, so we went to circuit city to buy a WAP and a router (long story of why those pieces of hardware.) First thing out of the guy's mouth "how can I help you Sir."

I only ask this because I have noticed that there are a lot of females on this forum, which is great. But I still think there is a lot of prejudice against women when it comes to technology related fields. When I got into computers a decade and a half ago, there was a 1 to 3 ratio. Now that has changed, so why haven't the assumptions changed too?

cimmeron · 09-22-2006, 10:24 PM

I think it's because soooo many women play dumb and let men treat them like idiots.

chicgeek · 09-22-2006, 10:28 PM

This title caught my attention for obvious reasons.

In my experience I'm not intimidated. When someone approaches me to help or when I ask for assistance, I tend to subconsciously start off with something that lets them know I'm not tech-stupid.

If I'm going with my dad to buy something for either of us, and they ask him, I just take over. It's not so much an inconvenience. More of a blip.

cimmeron · 09-22-2006, 10:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chicgeek

This title caught my attention for obvious reasons.

In my experience I'm not intimidated. When someone approaches me to help or when I ask for assistance, I tend to subconsciously start off with something that lets them know I'm not tech-stupid.

If I'm going with my dad to buy something for either of us, and they ask him, I just take over. It's not so much an inconvenience. More of a blip.

it's still sort of insulting, don't you think? It's like when I take my car into be serviced - they automatically assume I know nothing but I could do the work myself if I really wanted to....

chicgeek · 09-22-2006, 11:43 PM

I think it's to the point that I either don't notice it or I get a rise out of shocking the guys with my specs!

IslaScotts · 09-22-2006, 11:54 PM

I am not intimidated, it's just that for half my life I have dealt with this. I just would have thought with this much time passing and so many more women in technology fields it would get better, but it hasn't. It used to be fun to start talking over their heads (which I did when I went to the store with my dad) but it is just annoying now. Over a decade of having to "play the game" it gets old and tiring. Why should I have to prove myself just because I am a girl who doesn't look like a geek?

Immo · 09-23-2006, 12:00 AM

Our main database admin at work is female, she puts most of the guys to shame however she is about the only female member of staff with IT knowledge, most women are not interested and do other things, I guess the stigma is attached because men just arnt used to seeing women with crimpers or unix manuals in their hands

chicgeek · 09-23-2006, 12:01 AM

A lot of guys think it's hawt.

Anyway, bed time for this girlie.

Immo · 09-23-2006, 12:02 AM

Im one of them, an IT based girlfriend would be great, I might even talk to her!

IslaScotts · 09-23-2006, 12:07 AM

Sometimes it is bad though (i only date fellow geeks) sometimes that is all there is to talk about. When my bf and I aren't discussing the WoW server we run or something else computer related I find we don't talk. I know I am a huge geek but there are OTHER things in life besides computers.

Immo · 09-23-2006, 12:40 AM

When you find one let me know what it is

maepaulino · 09-23-2006, 05:04 AM

men tend to stereotype women that just because we're women we don't know anything right away... Like I had an officemate, when he knew that I am a designer he told me "wow, this is the first time that I met a woman designer" and when he saw my designs he said "I can't believe you're good" It made me want to say, "err there are lots of female designers already... don't you surf alot?" lols...

Immo · 09-23-2006, 05:38 AM

Female designers are generally better than men in my opinion. Women are more creative in that way although they can be a little single minded at times.

littleFella · 09-23-2006, 07:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Immo

Female designers are generally better than men in my opinion.

Now, that's stereotyping

But seriously, whenever I worked in a place where women were also employed in IT I saw no differerence between them and men when it came to the area of competence in which they worked. Except perhaps work ethic and great organizational skills. Chicks usually completed their tasks/milestones before men did. A few of the ones I worked with were outstanding, a few were not. Same with the guys.

As for retail... I find chick sales persons to be more helpful than males.

I kinda had a taste of how it is to be a geek chick many years ago, when someone online took me for a chick hacker. I did not correct them, but decided to play the game. Soon enough I relized online life's much easier for a chick geek.

IslaScotts · 09-23-2006, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maepaulino

men tend to stereotype women that just because we're women we don't know anything right away... Like I had an officemate, when he knew that I am a designer he told me "wow, this is the first time that I met a woman designer" and when he saw my designs he said "I can't believe you're good" It made me want to say, "err there are lots of female designers already... don't you surf alot?" lols...

Well a lot of men use a female pic as their avatar like a "she is hot" kind of thing. It took a year or two for people on my regular forum to figure out I was a girl. Even though my avatar was me and my profile pic was of me. They didn't figure it out until I started a thread for pictures of members. They were like wait.. your a girl. But I am glad you made that guy say you were good, hopefully it changed his mind about women in technology!

cimmeron · 09-23-2006, 09:12 AM

when women rise up and take control of the geeksphere, then this will stop.

j/k

littleFella · 09-23-2006, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cimmeron

when women rise up and take control of the geeksphere, then this will stop.

j/k

yeah, and then we'll all have to use pink macs

j/k too

MrMean · 09-23-2006, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Immo

When you find one let me know what it is

Its called Fosters my friend and you can drink it by the barrel.