I was checking on my email for daily assignment from my client when the chat box pop out in my screen. It was my other client and, for me, it was unusual to greet me with "Help!" (that was exactly how he typed the word). I was bothered then as what might be the problem. Then, my mind started to work again, considering many possibilities. I was thinking; perhaps, it was my previous work that needed some editing or worst his client didn't accept the work, which was made by me, of course.
It took me a few seconds to chat back. Then, I said, "what's the problem?". I even forgot to greet him that time for I was terribly carried away with his initiative. I was anticipating silently although some negative thoughts were still hammering my brain while waiting for him to reply. I used to get pissed off instantly and lose my temper but my work taught me how to be patient with everything and how to keep my cool even in the most stirring situations or else I lose my job. :D Then, I saw that he was starting to type on the other end and my comfortable office chair started to become a hot seat than ever. Probably, you might think that I was blowing the scenario out of proportion but that was what I felt during that time. I really had problems dealing with situations just like this though I mentioned earlier that, I started learning how to be patient because I was really "different" way back.
Anyway, he was just asking me to re-write his work. I was relieved. I gladly took the task without even bothering him to ask what was the topic about. I was confident enough that he was giving me a topic that I used to do for him. After confirming that I received the mail (This is how we communicate-chat and through email for the project details. Anyway, I will do a separate post about my work. I hope you will check on it too, guys.)... I checked on it and it was a product review on strapless BRAS. ;0
I'd been writing product reviews too on gadgets, furniture, slimming creams and machines and many others that I haven't even tried (so, be VERY careful about those reviews on products that you like for some are just designed to catch consumer's attention). But to write about something just like this (I can't even say the word directly),
which I have absolutely tried, like everyday, was a tough job. Perhaps, it is the SENSITIVITY of the topic that made me to react that way. Needless to say, I have learned that with my job I need to be insensitive (not vulgar) at times or to be more open to topics that I am NOT expose to writing about.
Here comes the shocking part. I was running through my client's work to have at least an idea on what seemed to be the problem with his work. I was shocked, terribly shocked, after reading the first paragraph. He was describing in a vulgar way on how to wear a strapless bra with focus on a woman's chest. He also wrote about on how a woman looked like without the bra on by directly mentioning parts of a woman's body in the last two paragraphs. And for me, that was really below the belt. Well, you can generally describe anything without being unscrupulous. I really felt bad about his article. If you are selling those strapless bras and with content just like that. Man, I am telling you, that you are actually shooing off your customers instead of enticing them to get your product.
What did I do about it?
I was still keeping my current, holding back any accusation I had. When he came online I directly told him that his work wasn't woman-friendly at all and that I needed to start from scratch to do another article, product review rather, on that particular topic. It wasn't re-writing at all and so I charged him our agreed regular rate on original articles/product reviews instead of the re-writing rates. My point here is neither about the rates nor getting noticed but rather to make him realize that his work was a form of harassment to women already.
...and the result...
He said, "Oh, sorry to hear that. I really apologize for whatever inconvenience the content has brought you". A very formal way of saying how you feel bad about your own action. Well. at least he said sorry and he kept repeating that word until we end up our conversation.
What I have learned with the incident?
I believed that my client didn't intend to insult, in any way, whoever reads his review on the strapless bra. That is why he needed my help. I just feel so sorry about how social awareness can wrongly influence people with regards to cultural discrimination and that includes women harassment.
And on my part, It was the first time that I confronted anyone, although not personally, about how he has made me feel bad. Misunderstandings can be solved over a good chat and directly telling the other party how his action affected you. The accusation must always be directed to the action and not on the person.
It started on a simple strapless bra review and ended me with a new lesson in life to embrace, apply and hopefully to make it a habit.
