Sexism is still alive and well 8/15/2008

Yesterday there was a backhoe in Bill's backyard.  He's building a retaining wall.  He asked me to go to the gas station for 3 gallons of diesel.  Sure honey, no problem at all.  I grab the can and head down the street to the corner store.

I pull up the the only diesel pump at the station, get out, and set the can on the ground like I'm supposed to.  I'm not talking on my cell phone or any of the things you're not supposed to do to build up static.  On the other side of the pump I hear a voice say, "You know that's diesel, right?"  I look up and there's a Hispanic man in a SUV looking at me with a stupid grin on his face like I was flan at the dessert buffett.

I looked him in the eye, cursing myself for forgetting my sunglasses, and said, "Yes, yes I do."  He looked back at me and asked AGAIN, "You know that's diesel, right?  I mean, I just wanted to make sure."  At that point I was pissed.  I realize I am a female, with boobs, in a pink tshirt and flip flops, but heck, I didn't realize I wasn't allowed to buy diesel without an escort!  I looked back at him and said, "Yes, I do.  For your information it's for the backhoe in my yard, a**hole!"  He quit grinning and drove off.  That grin made me feel like I needed a shower...

 

So I proceed inside to prepay, wait my turn, and get to the counter.  I tell the cashier I need 3 gallons of diesel.  The cashier looks at me and says, "Are you sure you need diesel?"  At this point spontaneous combustion would be nice...  Behind me I hear another voice say, "Yeah honey, if you're mowing your yard, you're going to need unleaded."  I turn around, look at him and say, "Do the words 'back hoe' mean anything to you?"

 

When I turn back to the cashier I repeat that I need 3 gallons of diesel.  The cashier says, "Um, me no know how much that is."  I said, "Well, 3 gallons at $4.19/gallon is $12.57.  So, I need $12.57 in diesel please."  I gritting my teeth.  The cashier, who has already demostrated to me that he 1. can't speak English that well and 2. can't multiply or add well either, says, "I'm not sure that's right, can we just do $12?" 

 

"FINE" I say.  I hand him the debit card, pay for my $12 in diesel and get the heck outta there.  When I get back to the house, I tell Bill that the next time I go to get diesel, I'm going armed.