I worked on a TV show that had its offices and some of the sets in an old peanut butter factory. The factory had been a TV studio for less than a year so when we hired anyone, we made sure they didn’t have a peanut allergy. We would often bring in “Hall Calls” where the union supplied us with the needed additional workers and we, again, always stipulated that we couldn’t have anyone with a peanut allergy.

One time, a man showed up and stated that he couldn’t enter the building because of his peanut allergy. When asked why, oh, why, he had accepted the call, he said that we couldn’t discriminate against someone with an allergy.

He got paid the minimum for the day (hundreds of dollars) and got sent home for the day.

I work out at a private gym with a personal trainer twice a week. I had a baby this year, so I bring her with me and she just plays on the floor while I exercise. Because of this, the trainers usually leave the parking spot closest to the gym open for me so I don’t have to walk as far with all my stuff.

I’m in the middle of my workout. The door to the gym opens and in walks a man, probably in his mid-forties. He’s wearing a business suit, so he’s clearly not here to work out. Again, it’s a private gym, so we don’t really get walk-ins.

Trainer: “Can I help you?”

Man: “Yeah, she’s parked in the closest spot.” *Points at me*

My trainer looks at me.

Trainer: “Did you park in one of our parking spots?”

Me: “Yes, I parked in the same spot I always do.”

Man: “Yeah, I’ve seen you park there before. That’s why I followed you in here. I wanted to park there!”

Me: “…”

Trainer: “Sorry, sir, just to clarify… she’s parked in a gym parking lot. You parked somewhere else just to follow her in here and ask her to move?!”

Man: “Yes! She’s younger and I don’t want my car to get scratched. She should move so I can park there.”

This went in circles for a while until finally one of the other trainers had to come out and force the man to leave. He was shouting that the closest spots should be left for those with the nicest vehicles. Honestly, some people!

I am shopping with my four-year-old daughter when a store employee walks down the aisle and passes us.

Employee: “Excuse me, ladies.”

My daughter immediately and loudly states:

Daughter: “We are not ladies!”

My bike needs a tuneup, and I’m too busy to do it myself. My usual bike shop is swamped, so I go to another one that’s close to my work. I get a slightly patronizing vibe from the guy who helps me, but they’ve got decent reviews online, so I leave my bike with them anyway.

A day or so later, I get an email from the shop, letting me know my rear wheel has a crack in the rim, and they can replace it entirely for [total]. I decline, since I have a spare wheel at home, and if the hub is fine, I can rebuild the wheel myself when I have time.

They call me a few days later to say the tuneup is finished. I go there directly after work to pick it up. The mechanic comes out to talk to me.

Mechanic: “I really think you should let us replace the wheel.”

Me: “It’s okay; I’m replacing it myself.”

Mechanic: “But you can’t ride it until it’s replaced.”

Me: “I know.”

Mechanic: “Look, I don’t think you understand. It’s not safe to ride on a cracked rim.”

Me: “I’m aware of that. As I said, I will replace the wheel at the first opportunity.”

Mechanic: *Starting to raise his voice slightly* “You can’t ride it out of here!” 

I glance down at myself, still in my work clothes, and back up at him. 

Me: “Dude, I brought a car to take the bike home in. Did you really think I was planning to cycle in a pencil skirt and heels?”

I once borrowed a copy of the Satanic Bible from a friend. I was on my way home on the bus when an older woman sat next to me and started chatting. For the first five minutes or so, it was all small talk. She then opened her bag and pulled out a big, very well-loved Bible.

Woman: “Have you found Jesus? Would you like to read my Bible?”

I opened my purse, pulled out the Satanic Bible, and said:

Me: “No, thank you. Would you like to read mine?”

She moved seats.