Miss de Smith

Since I have taken on the “nom de plume” of Jules – having had my hand forced by that masquerading other Julie Ritter in lalaland – I have noticed that some people think I am a man.  A lot of people reply Dear Sir or Dear Mr. Ritter to my emails.  This brings to mind the story of a certain Miss de Smith.  She was an extremely successful insurance salesperson (note how PC I am in keeping with the tone).  Her female colleagues could only dream of reaching her sales targets and spent years trying to emulate everything about her.  One day she let them in on the secret.  When she left messages for potential clients they presumed they were calling back a salesman not a saleswoman.  Say Miss de Smith fast enough and you’ll see what I mean – Mister Smith. 

Which says a horrible thing about the male chauvanistic society we live in.

Long live women who struggle on inspite of you silly men. 

Copyright Jules Ritter November 2007