Everyday Sexism: Hospital Edition

They call it “everyday sexism” because, it’s, well…every day.

Just the other day at work, one of the techs seemed displeased with me. As it turns out, while I was on call over the weekend (I take call from home to read studies), he was upset that I sounded annoyed with him on the phone.

I was annoyed because instead of texting me the information I need (*every* other tech does this), he calls me every time, forcing me to put the baby down or otherwise stop what I’m doing. Never mind that he has an iPhone with texting capability, has sent text messages in the past, and I have asked him specifically to please text me instead of calling. This is only a small annoyance…but if you’re going to call me at home, you’re going to be liable to hearing my annoyed self speak.

Anyhow, during the day, he came over to give me the information about a new study. As he was handing over the paper, he stopped and said “Who’s the fellow here? Is it you? Because, you don’t look like a fellow. You look like a GIRL.”

I hadn’t even finished my coffee yet. One of the female techs looked embarrassed. Unsurprisingly, Mansplaining Program Director said nothing.

I looked up and responded “Girls can be fellows too…”

He seems taken aback, as if I can’t take a joke: “Oh, ok then!”

Later on in the day, he came over and brought me another study, and he had not filled out all of his documentation beforehand. He asked me, “Can you look it up?” Once again, I was annoyed, and grunted “Yeah, I guess I can.”

He then stops, and asks “Is something wrong? You seem FRAZZLED.”

I steadied my face, focusing on relaxing each individual muscle in my forehead. I told him, “I am a bit behind in reading my studies this morning. But this is truly not a problem at all.” I imagined Eliza Doolittle’s voice training in My Fair Lady, and attempted to steady my voice in a similar way.

Him: “Well, you seem frazzled. TAKE A PILL.”

What sort of pill? I’m guessing it was implied that it would be some sort of “pill” that might help with the presumably humiliating, uniquely female event of menstruation. Something like Midol. I can only guess this would have been his ultimate insult.

So essentially, here are the takeaway messages I could surmise:
1. It is extremely unladylike to be anything but bubbly and borderline giggling when taking a phone call for work. This was strike one on my part.
2. A male tech can always get the upper hand by reminding the female physician that she is nothing more than a “girl,” and hence, probably not even a doctor.
3. If we don’t take on a tech’s work with a Miss America-style smile, then we are FRAZZLED. We are hysterical and on edge.

If we are not smiling, then we must be UNSTABLE.

Well then. Watch me SCOWL, bitches!!

Defiant Bitch, MD