I'm at a complete loss

[smileyeagle1021]

I'm putting this in general work chat because, honestly, I can't tell if this guy was sucky, should be praised, wasn't firing on all cylinders, or doesn't qualify for any of the above.

We had a guest who couldn't get his car to start... somehow as the office fag I was most qualified (obviously, because fag I may be I was the only one with a penis )

Anyway, I go out, we're pretty sure it's just a dead battery, bring out the jumper cables, drive a hotel shuttle van over. I rolled up my sleeves and the guest saw my "peace, love, equality" wristband and the first comment he made was "hmm, I didn't realize you guys knew how to work on cars"

Anyway, I hook up the jumper cables, let it charge a little bit, try starting it... we can't even get the engine to turn.
I tell him "sorry dude, it sounds like your starter is shot, you're going to need it towed"

his response was "yeah, that's what it sounds like to me too... I'm surprised, I thought there was supposed to be a stereotype about you guys (and thank God he didn't say that a third time, because it was starting to bother me) about hating to get dirty and never even opening the hoods to a car. Good to see not all stereotypes are true"

And yes, I do hate both stereotypes that as a dude I should know how to fix cars and as a gay guy I should be incapable. And I honestly don't know whether to classify him as sucky/brain burp for his first comment or praising customers for his second response. If the mods can figure it out would y'all move it for me

[Ghel]

Sounds like a backhanded compliment to me. Of course, the guy may not have realized, or thought about, what he was saying.

Two thoughts, not related to each other:

1. A stereotype wouldn't be a stereotype unless at least some people in the group behaved that way.

2. Is jumpstarting cars a service normally offered by your hotel? I would expect you to refer him to a garage, even for something as simple as that, rather than open yourself up to potential liability.

[smileyeagle1021]

Ghel, first, yes, I know that people of both groups (males and gays) do act that way to set the stereotype, doesn't make it any less annoying.

And jump starting is a service normally offered... that's the only mechanical service we offer though.