March 20, 2007

• Gender?

  The other day at work a person came up to me in a frenzied state and asked for the bathroom key.  Normally this would not bother me, except for the fact that we have two bathrooms, male and female.  Person was a bit of both and not very attractive either way so, I hesitated.  I was looking person over and trying to make a decision based on physical features and person could sense my apprehension.  Person said, "I am sorry to rush in and ask for the key but I really have to go."

  
  

  I was kind and nice on the outside, but inside my brain is doing flip flops trying to distinguish if person is male or female.  I did not want to offend person but, I really did not have a clue if person was male or female and I certainly couldn't ask.  Person was very messy, sloppy and ungroomed.  Person wore sweat pants and an androgynous jacket with stains.  Person had razor stubble and HUGE hands.  Person wore women's earrings and a feminine necklace.  Person had chipped off, nasty fingernail polish on.  Person had longer, thinning hair that had not been groomed in weeks.

  
  

  What to do?

  
  

  As I slowly made my way to the place where we keep the bathroom keys, I kept looking over person, praying that the answer would come to me.  Person could tell I was hesitant but probably thought it was because of the risk of shoplifting.

  
  

  I drew in a deep breath and grabbed the women's bathroom key and gave it to person.  After person left I went over my excuses in my head.  Excuses I would probably have to use when person came back wondering why I gave them the key to the women's bathroom.  Person was back a few minutes later, standing in my line.  My heart was pounding.

  
  

  Person put the key on the counter along with their purchase of motor oil.  Person thanked me sincerely for letting them use the bathroom and explained the dire need they were in.  Person paid for purchase and then left, happy.

  
  

  I proceeded to do the happy dance because I chose the right key!  However, when I went into the women's bathroom shortly after person left, I see that person left some nasty residue all over the seat.  *blech*  Gloves and sanitizer and a bit of air freshener fixed it up good as new.

  • 10:28 am
  • 2 Comments