As an individual, gender can be a blast. But as a society, gender has no purpose at all, other than to restrict and oppress in one fashion or another. I am misgendered every time I go out in public where people do not know me. I don't care at all, because THEY DONT KNOW ME AND DONT NEED TO KNOW MY GENDER. But they have to guess to address me, and then I have to make them feel better when they get it wrong, then realize when I speak that I am not "male". Meanwhile...
https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20231011/p2a/00m/0bu/010000c#cxrecs_s
What happened to just addressing people with good morning or good afternoon for example.
So if you were a Doctor would I use Doctor (Dr) rather sir or madam for example. ?
@zleap I suppose a lot of people do, but plenty are in the habit of saying Sir or Ma'am, or maybe I am being referred to 3rd person as he or him or that man. If someone is trying to get my attention and doesn't know my name, it is always something gendered. Here gender could be useful as half the people would know it is not them. But not really because I also think it is not me, and might not get out of the way, or stop or whatever. Unless someone's gender involves me, it is none of my concern.
@zleap Here's a story, though: I was on the Paris metro, and a gorgeous African Frenchman stared at me for 8-10 stops. I was 26 and beautiful, but I am tall,I don't wear makeup, or earrings, and had on a German, wool, man's hat and a turtleneck sweater under my jacket. He finally said "I have to ask, are you a man or a woman?" It was my stop, so I answered, How can it matter? and got off the train. 1/2
LOL]
I remember when I worked at a school as I lunch time assistant, the kids used to say Miss to me, so my colleague suggested I responded by saying 'not the last time I looked'
Not sure if that would work in 2023, but humor can defuse a situation at times.
But yes, why does gender matter in a lot of professions, you hire the person with the best expertise , experience etc for the job, and it should not be about ticking boxes.
@zleap I love it!