Ariana

I have eorked in a msle fominated industry for over 20 years. In general the men behave well, but they are confysed about hiw to approach ne. All swearing stops immediatrly they notice me, so they obviously feel tgat different stsndards apply. Get to doors can be a pain becausd of the confusion as to whether thry shoukd open it – I lije to be independent.
A few less positive examples – my MD used to put one finger down my arm quite often, but I still believe tbat he thought that it was a gesture of support, he never did anythjng else. I am sure that where are work has a triple glazed glass ceiling, as no woman has succeeded in staying in the management team. Women all have admin roles with the exception of a new engineer. I see that men do not want to really accept women as scientists in my working environment, we are accepted as organising the xmas do, or doing works open days and looking after the photocopier. One production manager never seens to actually want to talk about work and only seems to come alive when sex related subjects come up. Is this “men are from mars and women are ftom venus”? My boss similar lives double entendres and I can see one if my younger male colleagues often feelin awkward when this type if conversation has occurred.
I made a chojce in the late 1980s to follow the ideal that women should be scientists and enter heavy industry, but I honestly think that the nen were not and still are not prepared for hiw to deal with women. My work based social life is restricted because the men worry about being accused of having an affair. So I think clearing guidelines are needed to help both sexes treat each other better.