I feeeeell youuuuu. ANd I get where you are going with the "we all do it" thing because it helps you to be productive and turn it around. HOWEVER the definition doesn't really do the practical reality justice. Anyone can be condescending, yes-- especially older people to younger people. Mansplaining describes a specific phenomena (which definitely happened in your office) in which a man assumes they know more than a woman. They "explain" things rather than ask questions because society tells them not to ask questions. Men give answers. Men dont ask questions.
What he clearly assumed was racist and his approach was sexist. He could be a nice guy otherwise but in this case, he fked up. Its okay to claim that!
You don't have to apologize and you WERE NOT overreacting!!!
I wonder if you can help the woman without her husband? This seems like a really arduous task. How did you get through it? I legit can't even imagine making it through such a thing. Thats probably why I work retail and not in an office. I would have definitely told him to fk off and that they can find financial aide their damselves.
I totally hear you @limabeing. I think there’s a strong sense that we can’t let men that do this off the hook by saying we are all complicit. But I do want to make it apparent that it’s not beyond all of us to act in this which.
As far as helping her without him.... She was all “I could have done this without you, Husband” so she definitely has a strong damsel in distress swag that just makes me...ugh 🙄 But I’m giving him the courtesy of the benefit of the doubt, and hopefully it was just a moment of douchery.
I appreciate you so much ❤️
Yeah its sad but thats her choice. School is gonna be hard as hell if shes playing that game. She betta find those bootstraps!!
Yes! My job is always 100x harder when the student refuses to take ownership for their own finances and future. I ask a question and I always get a, “can you call my mom?/can I talk to my spouse, I don’t understand this stuff?” And I get it, people want to make sure they are making sound choice and want to consult their support system.... but mostly I’m entirely cut off and told “I don’t understand any of this financial aid jargon.” Well this is your ball and chain for the next ten years, better get acquainted 😬