Working in a male-dominated workplace isn't always fun

[COMINATCHA]

Okay I love my job, don't get me wrong, but lately i've been getting really annoyed with my co-workers.

There are only 2 other females who work with me, and one is very much a tomboy, the other is a much older lady.
We work in a warehouse that makes spas - although my job is centered in the office right next to the warehouse. There are alot of young guys who work there also, and I often have to go into the warehouse and talk to them, or they need to come and see me about stuff. They are all nice enough, I haven't had any problems - until recently.

Little background - I live with my 2 best friends who are also a couple together. Doesn't bother me in the slightest, I like our living arrangement, and it makes me happy to see them both happy together.
Anyway, I mentioned this to one of the guys at work, as he asked me who I live with - BIG MISTAKE.

Word spread around like wildfire that I live with a lesbian couple. Why do guys find that so amusing? Now I have to deal with all the jokes. Like the other day, one of the guys starts asking if we all get it on together when I go home at night. Then someone else asks me if i'm 'the meat in the sandwich.'

Seriously, f**k off! Just because I live with lesbians doesn't mean I am one too, eeww, it's like asking if I have sex with my best friends - no! And all the jokes that are based on their sexuality just make me so mad. It's just a small part of who they are, they shouldn't be defined as 'the lesbians.'

I really regret mentioning it, cause even when I tell them to shut up and stop making fun of me, they keep going cause they think i'm joking and I love the teasing. I don't love it, it upsets me.

Just needed to vent, thanks for listening.

[Cyanocobalamin]

Sounds like this could lead to some sexual harassment issues. Do you have a supervisor you could talk to who can tell these guys to cut it out?

[powerboy]

Lets see

1. Sexual Harassment
2. Hostile Work Environment

Just mention those words to HR, and they will do something. Also mention them to your boss.

[nekoro]

Along with what powerboy said, to get them to shut up about it, look at them for a long time, and then say in a flat voice "I don't understand what is so amusing." Then walk away. This will at least help you while you're getting your boss and HR to do something about it.

[chainedbarista]

when they laugh at their 'clever' comments, make sure to simply stare at them with an annoyed look on your face, and see if they figure it out, then go to hr with the complaints of sexual harrassment and hostile enviornment, maybe they'll find actions taken against them just as funny...

people are stupid, period.

[BookstoreEscapee]

I agree with everyone...they are making sexual comments and that is not appropriate at work. It's not like you are hanging out with buddies at the bar; they are coworkers in a supposedly professional environment. I like nekoro's solution too. As my mommy used to tell me, "Ignore him and he'll stop." If you don't let them see it gets to you, it won't be any fun for them.

[TNT]

I certainly sympathize with you... you shouldn't have to put up with kind of stuff at work (or anywhere else).

That said, the worst job I ever had when I worked in a 20 person department... nineteen of whom were women.

[CurlyLocks]

That said, the worst job I ever had when I worked in a 20 person department... nineteen of whom were women.

I also had one of my worst work experiences at a place where it was all women. Back when I was a legal secretary I did temp jobs for awhile and I was working a couple days a week at a very busy lawfirm. Most of the days I was there I worked in a small office that had 3 other secretaries and they were all very friendly and easy to work with. However, some days I had to work in the office pool amongst a bunch of gals that couldn't even be bothered to acknowledge that I was alive. In the months I was there not one of them ever spoke a word to me. The worst part was that there was this one loudmouthed chick who couldn't get out even one sentence out without throwing a few F-bombs into it. I have never heard anyone, man nor woman, use such foul language on such a regular basis. I really can't understand why that was tolerated in a professional setting. Not to mention the fact that her conversations were laced with references to the great weed she and her boyfriend got while on vaction in Hawaii, etc. She went on like this all the time, so loud that it was impossible not to hear her.

[MystyGlyttyr]

If you don't think going to your managers will help, you can always do what I do (works on straight guys without fail). Just look at them, and say "Yeah, I live with lesbians, but I'd REALLY love to live with two gay guys. I think two dudes going at it would be SO HOT! By the way, what are you doing this weekend? See, I've got this guy friend..."

I'm telling you, it never fails.

Note, though, don't do this if you're going to go to management or you'll probably lose all grounds so far as a hostile work environment.

[zzapp the witch]

Do what Mysty said. I haven't used that in a situation like yours, but I did use it in a situation where some guy was trying to get me to get with his bi girlfriend. Worked wonders.

Of course....what if THEY pulled the sexual harassment card instead because of that comment?

[blas]

I am so glad I am laid off because I am so sick of the overabundance of estrogen in my workplace.

While things have been slow and my supervisor was on vacation, shit hit the fan really hard. Our technician does NOT have supervisory skills. She is very bad at playing supervisor, and she hurt a few girls (including mine) feelings in the process. She made me feel like an invalid, to put it bluntly.

I am not saying men are better than women, but my male supervisor is much more fair and kind than all of these evil women I have to put up with. I almost wanted to hug him and cry when he came back, because I was relieved that all the abuse was over for a bit.

[BookstoreEscapee]

Do what Mysty said. I haven't used that in a situation like yours, but I did use it in a situation where some guy was trying to get me to get with his bi girlfriend. Worked wonders.

Of course....what if THEY pulled the sexual harassment card instead because of that comment?

Not that they have a leg to stand on, there...

[COMINATCHA]

Thanks for all your suggestions.

I have got them to stop teasing me - because I - wait for it - I CRIED! yes I know, how lame of me. I had planned on making some smart ass comment, but ended up with tears in my eyes. Partly because i'm really moody at the moment, but they don't need to know that. I felt a bit stupid, but THEN something amazing happened - they stopped.

I even got hugs. HUGS. And now they are all being real nice to me!

[BusyBee]

Awwww

Hopefully they won't start up again. I'm so glad it turned out alright for you.
And don't worry about how lame crying in front of them might have been... Just consider it to be the best way to make them feel as guilty as they can for their horrible behaviour. They can't just laugh off that like they might a snarky comment