I can't say I've had the same experiences as this girl, but I've been in similar situations. This happened most recently when I showed up at my first programming class last week. I have taken 3 graphic design courses there and a few history classes for high school. Most have been a good mix of working professionals (as the classes are at night), fresh out of high school students, females, males, etc. This programming class though. Oh my. I walk in and I'm literally one of two girls. I look around, look at my class sheet, think, "Yup I'm in the right place" and go to find a seat. The guy a few feet from me suddenly chimes in, "Um...algebra is across the way." When I respond that I'm here for cis133 his eyes bug out and he immediately wants me to sit next to him. Nope. Thanks. I'm good. I try to just look at it like a compliment. I don't think these sorts of guys realize how demeaning it is when they act like this. For some reason, they look at women like these mythical beasts or something. Maybe it's inexperience. Maybe it's just general social anxiety. I don't know. If only they would realize they would have much better luck getting in my pants if they didn't treat me differently, respected me, and had a conversation with me. A cologne besides AXE and plucking those nose hairs wouldn't be a bad start, either. :P
I'm almost positive that, if and when I end up in hell, I'll be able to confirm my suspicions that Satan wears AXE body spray. Also sorry that that kind of stuff happened to you. I always thought that the whole "CompSci guys don't know how to interact with women" thing was a stereotype until I took my first class. Just...wow. Same with other guys who proclaim themselves to be "gamers." They're always mind-blown when they meet a girl that lolz omg wow plays videogames. I mean there are more than a few that aren't like that, but there were way more that we're like that that I just wasn't expecting. Anyways, how do you like the class so far?
It's going good so far. I'm excited to see if I can actually learn this stuff. I did well in math/science in high school but avoided it at NYU. My passion has always been for things more creative. I expect that I'm probably struggle with programming but I have the advantage of actually wanting to be in the class to learn rather than just for the credits.
Did he mean Abstract Algebra? In my experience upper division Math classes tend to be more than half female. [Women are generally better at higher maths making the gender gap Math completely unpardonable]
No, it was remedial algebra and mostly filled with girls who were too popular to care about math in high school and in denial that their best days are behind them. :P
The unbecoming cluelessness of the sociologically inept, like huge-pawed, clumsy, eager puppies skittering across a varnished floor and smashing into a case of china.
Older, but very relevant. http://www.guernicamag.com/daily/rebecca-solnit-men-explain-.../
Fabulously relevant. We had a bit of a discussion about that when it first came out. It's great to see it reposted with a new introduction which includes these words Having the right to show up and speak are basic to survival, to dignity, and to liberty. I’m grateful that, after an early life of being silenced, sometimes violently, I grew up to have a voice, circumstances that will always bind me to the rights of the voiceless.