Everybody has an opinion about gender equality

GenderEven if I use money every day, I would never claim to be an economist or have the audacity to write an article about finance. Even if I use a phone every day, I would shut up and listen when technicians explain to my why it’s not working. The same with oxygen… I breath it every day, but wouldn’t claim to understand the chemistry behind it. However, strangely enough, with regards to gender equality, everybody seems to have a strong opinion about it based on their own experiences, and think of themselves as authorities on the subject just because they are a gender, or perhaps because they are vaguely known in a totally different area of expertise. I wonder if people who work with gender equality ever will get any respect for our knowledge, except hear that we are “feminist man-haters”. Sigh.

Bicycles for guys are weird

What are some of the characteristics one looks for in a bike? Functionality and ease of use would be two of my priorities. So I have to admit that I cannot for the life of me understand why the typical bicycle model for men has this awkward bar situated horizontally high up on the frame. It really makes mounting and descending much more difficult. And it can cause some serious harm and injuries in sensitive places. Why are they constructed that way? I find it hard to see the logic. Unless they were invented as some early form for birth control method?

A typical bike for women

A typical bike for ladies

A typical bike for guys

A typical bike for guys

Portraits for men vs ladies

I just bought a new digital camera. To my surprise I see that in the scene mode I can choose between Portrait Man and Portrait Lady. I’m puzzled as to what the different settings are for the two sexes. Blue or pink background? Added or removed beard?

Different scene modes for different sexes

Different scene modes for different sexes

Mother’s Day? Not here!

It might come as a surprise to all those who celebrate Mother’s Day today, second Sunday of May, but all countries do actually not celebrate Mother’s Day at the same time.

In France, Mother’s Day is at the end of May. In Norway it’s the second Sunday of February, and Father’s Day is second Sunday of November.

Which day is it in YOUR country?