So I read this post about the woman asking the repair men to wear masks, and I agree. I always wear a mask around others, and I find it selfish not to because it could spread a virus that could kill myself or others. I will sometimes ask people to wear a mask if we are in close proximity, except I've noticed something- it seems I'm not allowed to ask this of women.

Whenever I remind a woman to wear a mask, the majority of the time I receive a hostile/negative reaction, and often times not even from the woman herself, but by bystanders! Recent example:

-At a sandwich shop, small space. The woman in front of me didn't have a mask. I asked her if she wouldn't mind putting one on because we are in an enclosed space. She did, but I noticed the two male cashiers (and no, it's not always men who do this) seemed to look at me funny. When it was my turn in line hey seemed a little cold towards me, and one of them said "Did you have to talk to her like that?" Well...no, I suppose, but I'm living with two older parents right now (thanks lockdown/unemployment...) and I'd rather not get them sick- and one of them is a woman! Why on earth was it wrong for me to say that? If a woman infects me, I might infect other women, so it really makes no sense.

Sometimes people don't say anything, but I can see disapproving looks, like I get a "sense" people don't like seeing a man say that to a woman, and I really don't get way, and I don't think it's fair at all. What difference does being a woman make? Statistically I have double the mortality rate, and I feel I have every right to say it.

Some people might say "oh, but it's because you wouldn't say that to a man."

  1. Except I say it to men too.

  2. How can they make that assumption?

I've noticed women and men and roughly equally as good/bad at mask wearing, and putting on one when I ask. But the reactions- usually from others- make no sense to me.