My day so far can be summed up by one delightful scene at the Starbucks near my place of employment:
“What can I get started for you, ma’am?”
C’mon, dude. I’m standing ten feet away at the most. Sure, I’m rocking my totally awesome scarf, but I’m also sporting reasonably short hair and a big black trenchcoat. Do I really look all that feminine?
Of course the gods decreed that this moment of joy should take place in a store chock full of patrons, for maximum embarrassment value. Spiffy. Can I go home now?
Comments
2 responses to “Luckily, I’m secure in my masculinity.”
That scarf is totally not feminine! The guy must have broken his glasses, or needs a new prescription!!! (Geoffrey gets mistaken for a girl all the time, but only at first glance because of his hair. He’s used to it now, and takes a fair amount of joy in the person realizing their mistake.)
Perhaps it was an exercise in feminism? I mean, girls aren’t supposed to be offended by the male pronouns, right? (the whole “when in doubt, use ‘him’” rule :P)
I’ve been “sir”-ed or “son”-ed a bunch because of my hair (usually when a guy is trying to get my attention from behind). Then there’s the classic “big reveal” when I turn around, see their eyes drop to my chest, and hear them stammer “I mean ‘ma’am’”.
That said, if it happens again, you can just say, “Actually, I was next in line,” then start your order.
And if you were sincerely embarrassed about the mistake. . .I’m sure no one was even paying attention to what the person behind the counter was saying. I know I wouldn’t, until I got my “Sir, what can I get started for you?”