Gender Confusion

[LillFilly]

I was at an expo today with all types of booths, and stopped at an army surplus / outdoor gear booth to see if they had any leather gators (covers for your boots). Not only did the woman I spoke to tell me I would have to wait for another employee to help me (she was busy chit-chatting), but when another employee finally got-around to helping me see if they had any gators left (not the employee she said I'd have to wait for, he was still busy chit-chatting too!), the woman called me over by saying 'Sir, he can help you!'



Ummm... I'm wearing makeup, eye shadow, lipstick, jewelry, a dress shirt and I'm sure you can see I have boobs (Ce'mon, they're not that small!!!); When did one of my x-chromosones get re-assigned!?

Sigh.

(I don't believe military training had anything to do with it; I think only the Marines refer to both genders as 'sir.' All others use 'ma'am.')

[Buglady]

Don't some military branches use "Sir" for any and all superior officers, regardless of sex? That could have been a simple brain hiccup on her part (if she was ever military, of course).

Otherwise... I got nuthin'.

[Kogarashi]

Or you could just suffer the same curse as me. I've been referred to as a guy several times despite a large chest and generally feminine clothing. Once, it even happened when I had on a skirt (I was asked if I was a drag queen for Halloween), and another time, it happened when I had long hair in a ponytail (at a university job where the university dress code prohibited long hair on men, and the person calling me "sir" knew that). I guess I just have that sort of face.

I'll admit, the first three times it probably didn't help that I had really really short hair. But even then, tight shirts over real boobs should've been a good clue.

[PepperElf]

I saw that on star trek once, where they called the CO "sir" regardless of gender.

but i've never seen it actually done in the real world.

[smileyeagle1021]

and I get called ma'am all the time... at least with me my voice does sound somewhat feminine on the phone (i've heard the recordings... I can't deny it ) but I've never gotten called ma'am in person.

[boredattheoffice]

because of my real name people will automatically assume i'm male (of course i'm actually female lol) last night for the first time i was actually called mr.

[KellyHabersham]

We had an interesting twist on gender confusion a few years back at the library - I'd been working on something in the staff area, when one of our circulation desk staff came back and mentioned something about how he was embarassed because he'd just mistaken a female customer for a man. I don't recall exactly how our conversation went, but when he pointed out the customer in question, I recognized a cross-dresser who lived in my apartment complex at the time.....let's just say that this person was definitely NOT female, and was possibly dealing with mental problems or gender identity issues.

[PepperElf]

come to think of it... in person no one would think i'm a guy... even on the phone no one would say it. Granted I sing tenor (and recently have sung bass too!) but... I'm still obviously a girl.

Except online in chat rooms. unless people know me they think i'm a guy.
i think it's cos i worked with guys for so long. i don't come off as being sweet and girly unless i specifically over-do it. and hell i'm a geek, a lot of newbie chatters haven't figured out that girls are geeks & gamers too.

[Kogarashi]

Except online in chat rooms. unless people know me they think i'm a guy.

Sounds like a friend of mine.

Only time I've ever been mistaken for a guy online was when I was being absolutely careful not to let any gender-indicating things slip, on a new forum I'd joined. After about two months, I started acting my normal self, which isn't overly girly but apparently still leaves enough clues that people don't get my gender wrong online (of all places).

My friend, however, could almost actively be trying to be female, dropping clues left and right, and she's still mistaken for a guy online.

[Anakah]

That is also why I will never address my customers as sir or ma'am. When I call them over I say: I can help you here or may I assist you here--that is what the company wants but I stutter a bit and am worried I will end up saying ass so I don't say that one lol But still for any reason if you are unsure, NEVER give your guest a gender.

[wolfie]

and I get called ma'am all the time... at least with me my voice does sound somewhat feminine on the phone (i've heard the recordings... I can't deny it ) but I've never gotten called ma'am in person.

I thought I was the only one with that problem.

As for the issue of calling all superior officers "Sir", I don't know if you've heard about the green-faced general tearing a 2nd lieutenant a new one. It seems he'd been taking a nap in a chair at the officers' club, and a dumb-as-a-post private took the 2nd lieutenant's instructions literally.

- If it moves, salute it.
- If it doesn't move, sweep it up.
- If it's too big to sweep up, pick it up.
- If it's too big to pick up, paint it.

[Estil]

Don't some military branches use "Sir" for any and all superior officers, regardless of sex? That could have been a simple brain hiccup on her part (if she was ever military, of course).

Otherwise... I got nuthin'.

I thought only Starfleet did that.