I'm Not Allowed to Man a Charity Stall. Really?
By Val
@valmnz (17099)
New Zealand
September 18, 2015 7:57pm CST
I offered to man a stall at a local charity event, just for an hour, sharing my bit with lots of other volunteers.
I was told I can't man it, I'm a woman. I can't woman it either, or person it, that just doesn't sound right.
My friend, who said we're not allowed to man things any more, suggested staff it, but no, I'm a volunteer, staff are paid usually.
What is wrong with this world? I have no objection to using the term man to describe how I stand behind a stall, attending to the needs of those dropping by. Why should I change my use of the English language now, because people object to the supposed sexist nature of the term?
My dictionary tells me that to man something is to provide with sufficient men for operaion, or to take one's place at or near in readiness for action.
That's good enough for me. I'm a woman who chooses to man a stall.
What do you think?
16 people like this
20 responses
@MALUSE (69413)
• Germany
19 Sep 15
Hello! This is MA-LU speaking. Curiosity has sent me here. When I opened the site, I thought I was on bubblews. With the exception of one member I only saw faces and user names I know. --- As to your question: Of course, a woman can be generous and feel addressed by the term 'man', too. Yet, think of it the other way round. Would a man accept a female term? I can't imagine this. Of course, there aren't many (if any at all) which shows that English - like all other European languages I know and know about - is inherently sexist. In Italian, for example, the word for 'children' is the same as 'boys'. In German (as it was in English before 'they' and 'their' was inntroduced) somebody, anyone etc. are followed by 'his'. Scandalous, isn't it?
3 people like this
@Rollo1 (16679)
• Boston, Massachusetts
19 Sep 15
People like that make me sigh. Surely no woman feels diminished in her womanhood when she is said to "man" a stall. It is just stupid naivete to think that they can change hearts and minds by changing words. This over-sensitivity to words speaks to a deeper problem of the lack of mature thinking.
2 people like this
@celticeagle (159008)
• Boise, Idaho
19 Sep 15
I like Inlemay's take on this. " I am ALL woman and I MAN plenty!! " That is great.
2 people like this
@valmnz (17099)
• New Zealand
19 Sep 15
@celticeagle I think I mean I have little time for those who have expanded what were once genuine sexism issues to this point where we must make a stand for every little thing. Some words are not worth arguing over.
1 person likes this
@sueznewz2 (10409)
• Alicante, Spain
19 Sep 15
Another example of the stupidity of 'political correctness' ... 
2 people like this
@callarse1 (4783)
• United States
19 Sep 15
You can man something. You are right that you an use that. You can use "work" as a synonym I suppose.
1 person likes this
@callarse1 (4783)
• United States
19 Sep 15
Nice. I wonder why they had a big deal with you using that word. It's not like they were paying you in cash. 
1 person likes this
@valmnz (17099)
• New Zealand
19 Sep 15
@callarse1 t was a directive from the American headquarters of the organisation
@glenniah (1197)
• Mandurah, Australia
19 Sep 15
This is political correctness gone berserk. I'm comfortable in my own skin, if a man opens the door for me I will thank him and sail through. If I'm first at the door I will open it for him. So did you end up 'manning' or 'personing' the stall, Val
@allknowing (130066)
• India
20 Sep 15
I had this issue how to put it when I was having a' one man' exhibition of flower arrangements. These expressions are there to stay and trying to change them at this stage is not called for although nowadays I do hear the expression chairperson and not chairman.
1 person likes this
@allknowing (130066)
• India
20 Sep 15
@valmnz I had created flower arrangements and then exhibited them.
1 person likes this
@gregario888 (1276)
• Aurangabad, India
19 Sep 15
It surely is sexist! Looks like it is an old term.
1 person likes this
@Jessicalynnt (50525)
• Centralia, Missouri
19 Sep 15
I think there are times being careful what words we use matters but I also think that we take this PC thing WAY too far.
1 person likes this
@crazyhorseladycx (39515)
• United States
19 Sep 15
mercy sakes! all this political correctness 'n other cow patties flyin' 'round 've jest made a mess 'f schtuff, aint it? kinda like the sayin' 'round here 'cowboy up'. it jest don't ring the same 's 'cowgirl up'. sounds like its jest a girly thingy 'n not to be taken serious. perhaps i'm jest brain-washed? no more 'mailman', but 'mail persons/'r carriers'. jest makes yer head swim, don't it?
1 person likes this
@crazyhorseladycx (39515)
• United States
20 Sep 15
@valmnz yes ma'am, aint that funny 's heck? those 'cowgirls' get quite upset when ya tell 'em to cowboy up coz they broke a nail, 'r got kicked by a steer. the 'real' 'uns don't pay no mind to such - thank the stars!
1 person likes this
@Marilynda1225 (79708)
• United States
19 Sep 15
I think we've become a world with being overly politically correct...manning something is a fine term with me and I don't find it sexist
1 person likes this
@hora_fugit (5862)
• India
19 Sep 15
Don't know if it qualifies here, but would love to receive thoughts anyway....
Some words like "actress" were objected to - maybe accused of being discriminatory - and we're told to use "actor" for all genders. In the end we have "best male actor" and "best female actor"...
What did all this charade achieve??
@Lady_Justice (969)
• United States
19 Sep 15
I have to agree. Political correctness has gone overboard to such a degree that it's often ridiculous. As a woman, I say "man" a booth if you darn well feel like it.
1 person likes this
@AbbyGreenhill (45496)
• United States
19 Sep 15
I think that's silly or beyond silly. I wouldn't waste my time where I'm not wanted either.
1 person likes this
@wetnosedogs (1533)
• United States
19 Sep 15
They are just being picky now. Shame, Shame
1 person likes this
