I will start with a disclaimer: I am a white middle-aged male. Some of my gender seem to hold “antiquated”, “uninformed” or just plain “Stupid” opinions when it comes to women and craft beer. I don’t wish to be tarred with that stereotype but I know of no way to stop the idiots.
Case in point, the topic has popped back up onto the internet in a couple different ways. Thrillist (aka lists that don’t thrill but are numbered) had a pointed piece by the Beer Wench (her nom de keyboard) that took out grievances with men. Earlier this month there were social media barbs thrown over a Craft Brewers Conference (CBC) party that involved strip clubs.
Due to the Law of Interweb Discussion, there were a couple good points, a bunch of misguided nonsense and general troll-ery. What was missed is what I call screen & roll. An example of what I mean by that: I hated the show Two and a Half Men. From the horrible theme song to the dialogue and the very loud and intrusive laugh track. I watched an episode (maybe two) and never watched it again. I screened it, and then I rolled on to something better. Because there is ALWAYS something better.
That is what I think women, can and should be doing in regards to poor service from men or leering eyes or any of the numerous indignities that a subset of men stuck in the past seem to think passes as appropriate behavior.
Leave that bar, don’t return to that beer festival, don’t buy the beer with the offensive label. You can blog about it, give your opinion to those around you and make your position known too. Then go find “your tribe”. There are now places for everyone where you don’t have to put up with crap just to get good beer. Spend your money at those breweries and bars. At the very least, wait for the good bartenders shift. (if there is one).
I understand and commiserate with all those women (and men) who hate the know-it-all beer snob, or the disinterested, lazy bartender with lackluster canned advice. But there are beer geeks out there and fantastic barkeeps and loads of great people to meet. Trust me, I am an introvert who likes nothing better than to drink at home but even I have found like-minded people who can challenge me or agree with me about the pints of beers we have ordered.
If you went to a restaurant that had great food but the service and other customers were horrible, would you return to that restaurant? Most people wouldn’t. Screen & roll on to the next place. Spend your precious money and time at better restaurants. It may sound like avoiding the problem but I call it voting with your wallet and your presence.
For those who wish to fight chauvinism and sexism, go ahead. It will always be there for you. But if you start leaving the crap behind eventually you will find yourself at the bars where people know your name and you won’t have to put up with the stupidity.
Except for on the internet.