I had an experience today that was completely infuriating. Let me start with this bit of information. My dad actively drag raced until I was about 5, and until my parents divorced, I had never seen the inside of an auto repair shop for anything other than to bring my dad lunch. My favorite toys as a child were my dads wrenches and various other tools. I can check all the fluids in my car, change a flat tire, change the brake pads, and change my own oil, if I so choose. And for those who know me, the problem with me checking my oil is that I forget, not that I don't know how. Today however I knew my oil was a little low so I stopped at the store, bought a quart, and added it. That's where things got bad. I get funny looks from men while I was buying the oil. Then I get to the car and I was having trouble finding the hood latch. I forgot it was off centered, like I always do and since I was standing on an elivated sidewalk it I was having trouble reaching as low as I needed too anyway. A man waling in the store snickered and said something about women as he passed. So I'm no longer happy, but I get the hood up and a start to put the oil in the car. As I get the bottle turned up, another man walks up and asks if he can help. Because with me only waiting on the oil to finish draining out the bottle I was so helpless, I informed him that no, I obviously had it. Then as I replace the dipstick and return the cap to the now empty bottle of oil, the first man walks out and asks if I need any help. As I slam my hood I told him no I think I had it, and the asshole asked me if I was sure. At this point if I didn't, it would be too damn late for him to help. It's rediculous that men automatically assume that women can't handle anything related to their own cars. Hell, I've probably been involved in more car repairs than either of them.
