Posted by Sam Taylor
on February 09, 2026
So, today I found myself in a meeting that should have been completely ordinary… and utterly ridiculous.
There I was, checking out a property for my business, when a man in the room decided it was his turn to dominate the conversation. Not a hint of patience, not one glance at the fact that a woman - yes, an actual human being - was speaking. So, I did what any sane person would: I reminded him that she wasn’t finished.
You’d think that would have been the end of it. But no. This is an estate agent, after all, and apparently, knowing what I do for a living is the perfect setup for a little… misogyny.
He then dropped a classic sexist “joke”: “So who actually runs this then – you, or is there a bloke behind the scenes?”
Right. Because nothing screams professionalism quite like assuming a woman couldn’t possibly be competent.
I didn’t even flinch. I simply said:
“I know. Competence can be surprising when you’re not used to seeing it.”
Cue the awkward laugh—the kind of laugh someone makes when they realise their joke fell flat but they still don’t get why. Then he doubled down, trying to shame me: “What do you mean, competence?”
I gave him the truth, simple and clear:
“Yes, it’s woman-run. That’s why it’s still standing, thriving, and why I’m here looking at business premises.”
At this point, I’d had enough. And honestly? The property wasn’t suitable anyway—he’d lied over the phone about the size. Standard. So, I told him exactly that.
Here’s the takeaway:
Being a woman in business doesn’t mean we’re here to be put on display, questioned, or patronised. Competence isn’t surprising—it’s standard. And if anyone can’t handle that? They probably don’t deserve to be part of your growth anyway.
Next time someone tries to undermine you with a “joke,” remember: confidence and truth are infinitely more powerful than awkward laughs.
