The Everyday Sexism Project exists to catalogue instances of sexism experienced by women on a day to day basis. They might be serious or minor, outrageously offensive or so niggling and normalised that you don’t even feel able to protest. Say as much or as little as you like, use your real name or a pseudonym – it’s up to you. By sharing your story you’re showing the world that sexism does exist, it is faced by women everyday and it is a valid problem to discuss.
If you prefer to e-mail me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. I can upload your story for you instead. Follow us on Twitter (and submit entries by tweet) at @EverydaySexism.
He wasn't the most intelligent guy and my sarcastic 'have a nice day' was lost on him, but the his implication that I hadn't any right to challenge or even talk to him, because I was a woman, and the contempt with which he said it shook me. He didn't even take on board what I had said, he just basically told me to get back in my box where I belonged and it was a shock to see so openly how some men are still affronted by a woman having an opinion or expressing it.
One time, a customer rammed his trolley into be when I politely refused. Instead of helping me, my [male] manager told me I'd be sacked if I tried to press charges as it was a common occurrence for customers to make jokes and that I'd risk bringing the company into disrepute "over nothing". He suggested that I came up with several 'banter' replies I could just trot out when necessary.
To my shame, I listened to him. I'm still working for the same company (though not in the same store), and still dealing with every day sexism. And yes, still trotting out the banterous replies.