Yeah, I called myself a chick (sorry hardcore feminists).  Every once in a while I lament the fact that I am the only female on my team of 6. But ONLY once in a while.

I read sometimes about how some females feel slighted in their workplace b/c they are the only woman, and they may feel as though it’s much easier for men to move up, shmooze with the boss, and get preferential treatment.  Then I think about my situation and I feel lucky. I’ll agree that some women DO get hosed in a work envirnoment full of men, but I’m not one of them.

I’m lucky in that:

1. I’ve been with the company longer than most and proved myself
2. My bosses trust my judgment and skill
3. They often offer me new opportunities for growth b/c they KNOW I’m capable of so much
4. They curtail their otherwise wild behavior JUST for me

Yes, I know that on days I’m not in the office, conversation in probably QUITE different - as in juvenile and raunchier!  B/C we all like each other here, and we’re all pretty much friends, so it’s not quite as “corporate” an atmosphere as you’d think.  And I am TOTALLY okay with them curtailing some of their more…perverted tendencies around me.

B/C lets face it: most men are pigs. I know it, you know it, they know it but we love them anyway. And the few times I’ve bugged them enough to tell me stuff they may be giggling at - I wind up regretting it somewhat. So it’s okay that they act a little different around me. I prefer it that way! Luckily, I’m a very down to earth woman, and can be a lil’ raunchy or just blunt about things myself (to a point - I am uncomfortable acting too much myself at work).  I am a firm believer in separating my home personality from my work personality.  I don’t think the guys could handle me if I acted around them the way I act around my family and boyfriend.

I will however say, that it is probably easier for men to shmooze to their male bosses then for women. I love my boss, but there are still things I’d never say or ways I’d never act for fear of them being misconstrued. Nor do I want him to say certain things or act certain ways towards me b/c *I* may misconstrue it and feel totally uncomfortable.  I can’t elbow him and say “whoaaa check out that girl’s butt!” (oh wait, I should have used another example, b/c I totally HAVE done that before. Sheesh) but then again, it’s probably inappropriate for a male coworker to do so as well. There is a fine line between a friendly but professional work atmosphere and letting it all hang out.

In the end, humans are just humans, and if we always knew what our coworkers REALLY thought, or how they REALLY were…it might be a little harder to look them in the eye every day.

So to reiterate - I’m pretty blessed in the men that I work with, and I think they’re blessed with me, b/c unlike some women, I’m okay with being just one of the guys - I can take jokes, I’m fairly down to earth, and I don’t get huffy or offended easily.

And while I sometimes wish there was another female here, I’m realistic to know that I get along with guys easier and that it is very possible I would clash with any other woman we hired. What can I say…I can be just as catty as the next woman…even if I don’t want to be!

Ok, so I exaggerated a bit.  But currently, my boss Dave and our new SEO guru David are in a pissing contest - I’m sorry, friendly competition to see who can get the #1 spot in Google for Lancaster SEO.

Oops, I mean who can make the most relevant and helpful page for users in need of information on Lancaster SEO.  Guess who I’m backing?

Call me a kiss ass, but sorry, he’s been my boss for 3 years…what do you expect??