Competing with menfolk. When will it end?



 Earlier  I shared my experience about stereotyping women’s roles in professional capacities. Someone mentioned that ultimately our skill and confidence speaks for itself. But I thought, sometimes you are not even given a chance to prove it. Reminds me of an episode few years back when we were on a mother daughter trip to Italy. My daughter was a medical student at the time. On the flight to Milan a passenger took ill and they sought a doctor on board. As soon as we heard the announcement my daughter prodded me to go. I was the first one to reach there and realized the elderly woman was having a panic attack. Just as I was checking with the staff about what medications they had available another doctor arrived there. He was a surgeon and spoke a bit of broken Italian. The chief hostess told me to go back to my seat and had him stay there. Earlier she had asked me to show my medical license which I did. I always carry it in my wallet as they require during such emergencies. Despite that she thought I was less qualified than the man to handle that situation. He, by the way, wasn’t asked to show his license. Even before he had arrived the woman was treating me with utmost disdain. Her entire demeanor was of treating me like a subordinate. 

This has been my previous experience which is why I’m usually hesitant to get up from my seat after such announcements. 


Nothing came out of the complaint I filed with the airlines. They replied saying the staff thought that the man had better qualifications!!  Being a woman and that too of color proves to be a disadvantage in the world. I told my daughter to get used to this ugliness and still keep her head high always. They should not be able to crush our confidence because of their attitudes. Time and again we will be challenged and need to stand strong. 

This saree is a repeat one because it is one of my favorites amongst Ajrakhs. Made for me specially by dear friend Juned Khatri who is a master artisan. The shades of grey, brown, rust are so unique and subtle. The camera is not capable of capturing the finesse of the actual design or colors. Every time I wear this saree it brings me renewed joy. This time was no different. The skies also seemed to agree. 









Comments

Popular Posts