So I go to the mall on my lunch break to get the Fellowship of the Rings Special Edition DVD (hee!), and upon returning to my car I notice a flat tire. Great.

I set to work on changing it, and naturally, some guy appears out of nowhere and helps out. (Of course, no guy appeared out of nowhere the time I got a flat tire at three am, wearing a skirt in -25 degree weather, but that’s beside the point).

After a bit of trouble finding a good place to set the jack, we get the job done without incident. Upon parting, the guy says something like “it’s always touchy offering help to a woman, so I was hesitant, but I find you’re quite capable. Lâche pas. (don’t give up)”. Rather condescending, but well-meaning.

I drive back to the office thinking, how can someone still be surprised that a woman can change a tire? We’re not talking tomboy stuff here, it’s not body work… or even changing the oil. I mean, the wheel is plainly held on by nuts. It’s rather obvious you should unscrew them.

But get this: I get to the office and explain my dirty hands and face to two female coworkers (age 29 and 35). Their reaction: “WOW! You mean you changed your own tire!?”

Sigh.