BellaOnline Forums Relationships Married No Kids Too "young" to decide I'm childfree

The best response to this kind of bingo is to say, "Hold your breath" and walk away. You have time to get away before the rude, nosy person realizes you didn't say "Don't."

But then, I think rudeness should be rewarded in kind...

"People were complaining because they thought my rate was too high."

Not to hijack, but I've dealt with a level of b1tchiness regarding my pricing that is based more on my being a woman without children than the quality of the work I do. There's an attitude that I'm taking work away from a man with a family to provide for and I should charge less because I don't carry those burdens. There's also the assumption that I don't need to earn money because I'm married. Stoopid.

I appreciate the hijack bassgrrl.

Wow. It's a relief to hear I'm not the only one who deals with this, though it sucks. One other thing you didn't mention, but I'll bet you've experienced too, is that people think you shouldn't earn that much (whatever it is, as long is it's higher than what they make) because you look young.

Also, you said the bitchiness is based on being a woman without children, but do you think people would be better about it if you had children? I'm not sure...I think any woman, children or not, is expected to earn less really.

Oh yes -- people tend to underestimate my age and experience level all the time. I'm not going to lie and say I hate looking younger, but there are times where it's a real disadvantage. Being on the small end of the physical spectrum magnifies this.

And I'm sure I'd encounter a different type of scorn if I had kids. Those types of people would be bent out of shape that I had the nerve to work instead of spending every waking moment with them. *sigh*

WTF! That is crazy! The company that my husband works for is based on experience and the "get it done attitude"! There are tons of women who hold high positions. They don't care, if you can do the job then you get the job or the promotion. My DH said when he interviews it never crosses his mind on the issue of male and female. That rocks!! I see tons of women making great $. The only thing I have seen though....some take demotions or leave after they start having kids b/c the job is very demanding. Oh well, their decision.

A few weeks ago, DH and I were at a bookstore. My club card was set to renew, and the guy at the counter said if it was my mom's card, he'd just let it slide. I said, no, it's my card. He got all flustered and said, "It's not like I mean you're too young to have your own card ..."

I REALLY wanted to ask him just how old he thought I was!! Cause it really seemed like he thought I was in high school. Even when we left the store DH said, "I think he thought you were a teenager!"

Hah, you seem to have the same problem a guy I knew in highschool had! He was very fine-boned and short (think jokey) and had a baby face. As a senior he decided to visit his grade school (in RI that's 1st-6th grade) and they asked him if he had a hall pass so he could be out of class!