I was at my in-laws' place the other day and we were generally enjoying a lazy afternoon. Prashant (my husband) and Rohan (my bro-in-law) were playing on the terrace, with Vedant (my little one) in Prashant's arms. I was busy learning to spin a top for the first time in my life and I happened to take front row seats to their highly evolved game of foot powder (For those who are interested, they customized football, replacing the ball with a powder box, the goal with plants, the field with the terrace and the foot with the foot.)
A young man came up to us and asked us if we could spare some time. He mentioned that he was representing Future Group and that he was doing a survey regarding household expenses on various items. Prashant requested him to speak with me as he was otherwise occupied in the aforementioned activity. I looked up to Prashant in a way that said, "Really? You play this exciting new game and I speak on a subject as interesting as household expenses?"
A young man came up to us and asked us if we could spare some time. He mentioned that he was representing Future Group and that he was doing a survey regarding household expenses on various items. Prashant requested him to speak with me as he was otherwise occupied in the aforementioned activity. I looked up to Prashant in a way that said, "Really? You play this exciting new game and I speak on a subject as interesting as household expenses?"
The incredulity on my face was probably misconstrued by the young man. He decided that he must come to my rescue. What he said next blew our minds! He shook his head and said in a tone which indicated he had this by rote, "I want to talk to somebody who is in charge and the primary decision maker in the house."
We were so taken aback that we simply sent him packing. So, here's my question. Are these stereotypes so deeply embedded in our psyche that we can't even consider that a woman is capable of making decisions in the house? So much so, that we need a man even to answer a survey?
