My brief amusement turned into anger. As a male, there is no way I could ever get away with saying equivalent things in a government job, which in theory should adhere to strictest standards surrounding proper dialogue. Imagine the situation had been reversed, and I had asked "Oooh, is she hot?" or responded to that question with "She's probably old." I WOULD BE OUT OF A JOB, or at least would have been sent to sensitivity training, whereas the women that spoke in such terms about a man were simply met with chuckles and agreement.
Has the pendulum swung so far past equality in the workplace that women are now allowed to make such comments? It didn't bother me horribly, but even I felt a twinge of self-consciousness ("Don't they think I'm hot?") when this statement shocked me out of my normal morning-meeting indifference. I looked around, not sure I had heard correctly, only to learn that my ears had not deceived me, as all the women in the meeting were exchanging smiles and nods. This would be described as misogynistic or even lecherous had the same words-plus-knowing-looks exchange occurred among men. The discussion finally went back to official meeting topics once it was agreed that a wait-and-see approach was the only option.
After getting over my initial shock, I must tip my hat to this great country and recognize this episode for what it is: proof that AMUHRICA is leading the charge when it comes to enlightened, free thinking on the subjects of women's rights--allowing men to be treated like nothing more than pieces of meat. Welcome to the 21st century, new guy: where your actual capacity for the job is superceded by your appearance.
