Sexism in the Workplace

November 17, 2009 2:43 PM

When Melanie Berliet joined an elite investment bank as one of a handful of female traders, she decided to play the sex card with her boss

Since we've been discussing sexism and related topics in some recent epic threads, perhaps this will also inspire some discussion.

posted by dnesan (18 comments total)

Like most traders, my base salary wasn’t terribly high—$75,000 at the start of my third year.

I stopped reading here.
posted by Astro Zombie at 2:46 PM on November 17, 2009 [9 favorites]

For my part, I stopped reading at:

“Done!” he exclaimed, employing the trading colloquialism to confirm that a deal is contractually sealed.

Oh, seriously? I thought he was just conjugating "to do" in the past participle for no particular reason.
posted by decagon at 2:49 PM on November 17, 2009 [18 favorites]

I laughed at Carl’s presumption of prowess and use of the word belly, which seemed to date him.

The kids call it something else these days?
posted by Joe Beese at 2:50 PM on November 17, 2009

They are both disgusting. Makes those who play by the rules of business in the 21st century non-competitive.
posted by netbros at 2:53 PM on November 17, 2009

This reads like the first chapter of a new Dan Brown book.
posted by jefficator at 2:56 PM on November 17, 2009 [5 favorites]

Since we've been discussing sexism and related topics in some recent epic threads, perhaps this will also inspire some discussion.

I think you may have misread those threads.
posted by Sova at 2:58 PM on November 17, 2009 [7 favorites]

I stopped reading here.

Too bad, 'cause you missed the part where she got "screwed" by being given a bonus of "only" 65K-- you know, 86% of her base salary.

This is me not crying a river, and it has absolutely nothing to do with her gender.
posted by dersins at 2:58 PM on November 17, 2009 [1 favorite]

Oh, and I had some material: the indiscretions and folly of youth.

Clearly Melanie learned not to use her body to advance her career then.
posted by IanMorr at 2:59 PM on November 17, 2009 [2 favorites]

I had two options with my boss: trade sexual banter or resist. Typically, I chose the former, feeling blessed to be able to play the sex card rather than cursed to have the game foisted upon me.

If I'm understanding this correctly, she "chose" to engage with this creep's harassment so as not to be forced into doing so. Kind of the "you can't fire me, I quit" of gross sexual impropriety. Sad.
posted by decagon at 2:59 PM on November 17, 2009

"We've already established what you are, ma'am. Now we're just haggling over the price."
-George Bernard Shaw
posted by Aversion Therapy at 3:02 PM on November 17, 2009 [2 favorites]

Since we've been discussing sexism and related topics in some recent epic threads, perhaps this will also inspire some discussion.

I'm not sure that this is how metafilter is supposed to work
posted by Think_Long at 3:02 PM on November 17, 2009

When the revolution comes, they'll be the first to fuck each other up against the wall.
posted by The White Hat at 3:05 PM on November 17, 2009 [1 favorite]

A whore working on Wall Street? How is this special?
posted by oneswellfoop at 3:08 PM on November 17, 2009

Of course the story is contemptible and hideous. That's the whole point of it, we're supposed to feel disgusted by both the authoress and her boss. Right?
posted by Nelson at 3:08 PM on November 17, 2009

That piece was about as thought-provoking as a soap opera. Am I missing something? I'm actually wondering whether this is a stunt post.
posted by naju at 3:09 PM on November 17, 2009 [1 favorite]

"At work that ominous day, I quantified my self-respect: Was it worth 25 grand, 50, or more? I let the question flit through my mind but not take root."

Yeah the GB Shaw quote (also attrib. to Churchill) works there.

But at least she realized her life was empty. The void of boyfriend and freindship aside, she wakes up to the emptiness of the monetary self-interest thing.
On the other hand, she thinks she's a gifted writer. To borrow another quote: this article should not be tossed aside lightly. It should be hurled with great force.
posted by Smedleyman at 3:10 PM on November 17, 2009 [1 favorite]

perhaps this will also inspire some discussion

"Look at this flamebait! Now post hundreds of comments!"
posted by brain_drain at 3:11 PM on November 17, 2009 [1 favorite]

It's exploitation porn. A fantasy for bored housewives to moralize over. I'm not saying it's fiction, but it ain't the NYT either.

The most revealing part is in the third-to-last paragraph: The image he had of me was one I’d allowed him to create: a sex object who failed to live up to her implicit promise.

Victim-blaming, pure and simple. We want to imagine that Berliet was an equal partner in this dealing, that she was using her sexuality as a means to get power and respect but that she didn't have the guts to see it through. In other words, she's a tease - too ambitious to be the virgin, too cowardly to be the whore. A false dichotomy so common I'm surprised that it's notable enough for a FPP.
posted by muddgirl at 3:13 PM on November 17, 2009