The principle of one very famous orchestra once described women in his horn section as either decorative or recreational. (!) I must admit I found that quite funny. - He was a very close friend and I didn't see that side of him at all.
- as my teacher said, smile sweetly then blast them off the stage!
Having said all that, I find it way easier to be friends with men than with women. They (mostly) tell it like it is. None of this smiling backstabbing I see, especially from my dancer friends!
Not sure it's been a good thing all round though, - my ex boyfriend (actor, NOT musician!) said that he couldn't work out how I could look so feminine, then, every so often, come out with something that he'd expect to hear in a rugby club.
I think we're lucky. We aren't pigeon-hole-able. We get to be true to ourselves, without having to conform to any social stereotype. Embrace it Hale. Love the fact that you're a woman in a mans world. You have such freedom. Enjoy it!
Dictators who positively go out of their way to force misery, tears and fears, upon their countryman's lives.
Politicians who, in dealing with dictators, have a wishbone where a backbone should be.