Mansplaining

I was a little hesitant at first when thinking about this blog post. Mansplaining was described as men patronizing women by believing they need to explain everything to them. While I fully agree with that statement, I felt that it did not apply to me, even though I have had personal experiences from both men and women "mansplaining" me. So because of that I don't necessarily agree with the term name, but the concept I do agree with.

Two summers ago I was working at a beach shack which dealt with cooking food, cleaning, and anything else you would think of doing at a food place on a beach. Now while I worked with food before, my boss (who is a man) thought it was necessary to constantly explain how to cook and clean the grill, or at least have someone else who was older watch over me. It wasn't because he was looking after me, it was because I was gay.

Because of my sexuality I apparently needed guidance taking out trash "properly," or how to use a leaf blower. It got to the point where instead of just letting me do it myself, he would physically push me so he can do it himself. It became awkward for me. He treated me "like a man" by being rough with me, and having me do all these "masculine" tasks. Yet, he would then patronize me before even performing those tasks because I apparently wasn't capable of doing them correctly.

There were multiple instances where we did not have a cashier, which was my main job at my old workplace, and he would refuse to let me do it because I was a guy, and guy's steal money. There were a ridiculous amount of double standards thrown at me. I felt so helpless with anything I did, because I was treated to feel that way.

A man felt the need to explain everything to me because I was a younger man and  because I was gay. There are many combinations o ways someone can patronize another person, for whatever reasons. None of which are okay to do.