Gender stereotypes have been eradicated in plenty of workplaces but people have taken to an anonymous forum to share some of the worst cases of discrimination they’ve experienced.
In a new thread shared on Reddit, men and women have shared the shocking – and often random – things they’ve been told women can’t do.
From the ability to understand mechanics and reading a map to drinking whisky, the tales may shock you.
People took to Reddit to share the surprising things that women have been told they can’t do because of their gender (file image)
A flood of responses to the thread started by ‘polarbee’ revealed that gender stereotypes continue to exist in the workplace and in other unexpected settings.
Many people revealed they had faced gender discrimination surrounding their knowledge of cars and mechanics.
One woman shared her frustration of trying to rent a vehicle from a company which presumed she was enquiring for a male driver.
They wrote: ‘He asked me for the license of the person that would be driving. I handed him mine, ‘No sweetheart, I need the driver of the vehicle, who is going to be driving for you? Husband? Boyfriend? Father?’.’
The ability to understand mechanics was a popular response to the thread as many shared experiences of people assuming they needed to rely on men
Others also shared experiences of their ability to understand technology and maths being understated.
One person, who worked for a tech company, said: ‘I couldn’t help but smile with glee when a customer after ignoring me asking if they needed help would go to a male coworker only for him to explain that I was the best person to talk to’.
Another wrote: ‘I had an ex tell me I was wrong on something accounting related. I showed him I was right. I have a PhD in accounting’.
Others shared how customers in their workplace assumed they were unable to fulfill their job role in the same way as their male counterparts
Some people shared that they had been gender stereotyped about their ability to make rational decisions and navigate their travels.
One person said a man assumed she and her sister would be unable to become Air Force pilots because they are female.
Being unable to read a map or put fuel into a car also highlighted gender stereotypes surrounding women’s ability to travel alone
Others shared that they had experienced men assuming they would be unable to manage lifting heavy objects.
One woman, who was lifting weights in the gym when a man unexpectedly started removing weights from her barbell, wrote: ‘It’s one thing to ask a woman if she needs help with something in the gym, but most times they’ll ask someone if they need help. Don’t assume’.
Another said: ‘Lift a 25 pound box. He thought my ‘female organs’ would detach if I strained too hard’.
Some women revealed they were questioned over their ability to lift weights and even their choice of hair length
Less common encounters included the stereotype that women can’t do handy work around the house and that they were unable to drink certain alcohols.
One person wrote: ‘As someone who loves working with their hands, this is one of the things that drives me the most crazy. Also, going to buy tools and being treated like I don’t what I want/ need’.
Another said: ‘Seriously, the number of dudes whose eyes fall out of their heads when I order a whisky is staggering’.
Some of the most random assumptions included being able to play video games, drink whiskey and play the drums