But there is one classically gender biased area that I don't feel too comfortable in. Car mechanics. I'll get gas, new tires, oil changes, but that's about my limit. So when my car battery died this week and Justin told me to call AAA I had a mild panic attack. I don't like trying to hunt down some number to call some stranger to give me a jump (oh, I'm also ok jumping a car and pretty certain I can still change a flat). My step dad came to the rescue and we jumped the van.
Then, Justin tells me to just go to the auto store and buy a new battery and they'll put it in. "Come on, please," I say "I can't stand this stuff, can you do it?" He replied with something about how easy it is and he doesn't have time, so ... I went.
I'm standing in the auto store with my baby on my hip while the guy looks up my car info and he says to me "Ok, Baby, can I get your number?"
Uuuuhhhh....
Did he just ask if the baby I'm holding has a number? Does he mean how many months old he is? I almost respond with "7 months" but instead I say...
"What?" I ask... Just as it hits me that this older grey dude with a chunk of gold on his necklace just called me "Baby." Huh. Thankfully he only needed my number to look up my car's info. :)
So then he needs to install the battery, but my baby wants to eat so I'm sitting in the back of my van nursing my baby while the guy who just called me "Baby" is putting a new battery in. Slightly uncomfortable and a bit ironic. I'm all for mamas nursing their babies wherever and whenever baby needs, so there you go.
I told Justin all about my fabulous experience, and he said I should write a blog. I think he might even go get the battery for me next time, and I think I'll let him.
I don't like car stuff either. A year ago I got my battery replaced and Chris'. Mine was right before a big snow storm and I didn't think my battery would handle the cold too well, so I went to the local shop and I even called ahead of time to ensure that I could leave the three kids in the car. The shop was awesome they looked up what type of battery, told me my options with price points, I paid and they installed all while my three kids stayed buckled in and warm. Then I took Chris' car one day to the grocery store and he mentions while I'm leaving, hey can you get me a new battery. Sure I think it was so easy before. This time I'm eight months pregnant, and I stop by a shop, well I chose the wrong shop. They would not install it for me, and the battery was completely dead, such that I could not start the car again. The guy mentions he can loan me some tools and I can install it myself. Thankfully a kind stranger who was also at the store offered to install it for me. Lesson learned about where not to buy car parts from. I hope you are laughing about your car battery experience and I bet Patrick appreciated the meal.
ReplyDeleteYes, I'm laughing :). Not the end of the world... Just like a little splinter that gets under your skin and irritates it a bit. And confirmed to Justin my already ill feelings about going to car places. We are all bound to get offended at all sorts of things...I think it good to share, learn, laugh, and move on.
ReplyDeleteBahahaha!!! I kinda wish you had replied with a straight face, "The BABY is 7 months and not old enough to have a phone number."
ReplyDeleteThat would've been great :). If I could have thought quicker I would have. I really was confused at first. :)
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