FireLink

I would have to say a woman that walks up to me and says that definnitly has some courage, I will admitt to doing the same thing with the wingman, u've got guts girl, and that would be hot if a chick did that

I think women in uniform are always sexy!

Many years ago, I used to a member of the "nightlife" crowd; and I never used the "I am a firefighter" line. I have never been interested in any person who thinks that how I dress, what I drive, or where I work is important ...

One night there was a fire next door to one of my favorite hangouts. Since it was going to be an "all-nighter", a stepped next door to obtain permission for the personnel to use the establisments rest rooms - the owner was happy to oblige. On the way out the door, several women (who usually ignored that I existed) were suddenly interested because I was in my turnout gear.

I am no longer a member of the "nightlife" crew; and did eventually meet a wonderful partner - without resorting to "I am a firefighter". The authors story does nothing more than show that men and women are equally shallow - some women are impressed by "hot men in uniforms"; and some men are put off by "women with a manlier job". Stay away from both types, and find someone that likes you for who you are - not for what you do.

Tshirt is right, it's a man's technique. Not that it couldn't be bigender in the future, just that it's still recognized as something guys do (especially when they've got nothing else to offer), so when a woman does it, the guys get confused.

Also, traditionally, girls are known to go for the "hot fireman;" guys aren't. (Personally, I have my own opinions about those kinds of girls, but I'll keep that to myself for now...) The kind of guys you encountered are probably the kind who only go for the kind of girls who typically go for the "hot fireman." (And I have my opinions about those kinds of guys, too...) If you ask me, those kinds of people are so completely not worth your time. They're not interested in who you really are as a person - they're interested in how "hot" you are, and how well they can show you off to their friends. The moment you lose your "hotness" or "trophy" appeal, they drop you like...well, like a hot ember. And move on to the next available and willing booty.

I don't see your experiment as being a failure, though. I think it was perfectly successful. It demonstrated what happens when a female attempts to use a male standard. But don't give up hope on equity. First of all, there ARE guys out there that think a female firefighter is "hot." Secondly, you shouldn't have to try to win someone over by telling them you're a firefighter, or a doctor, or an environmental engineer (the current job title for "garbage man"). The people you want to be with - and anyone you want to date - should want to be with you for who you are as a person. And finally, Tshirt is right about this, too: you're a woman, so act like a woman. There is NOTHING wrong with being a woman, and it bugs me when woman try so hard to be like men in the hopes that men will treat them as more of an equal. Be YOURSELF. Do your job, and be who you are. I worked with a woman who was HOOOOOOOOOT to look at, a helluva firefighter and athlete, and was so incredibly bro-boy in personality (meaning very tomboyish). She was just fine the way she was. I've also worked with a woman (as a lifeguard) who fit into the stereotype of females that I typically can't stand - valley-girl bimbo with the high-pitched squeaky voice who got drunk every weekend with her sorority sisters and was extremely focused on how "hot" and "cute" she was for all the guys - but she turned out to be one of the best lifeguards we had at our facility, an excellent swim instructor, quite a competent department leader, and a very sweet person and good friend. She was herself, and she didn't worry about trying to act like a guy so that the guys would accept her.

It does sound, though, as though you know who you are, and you're strong and confident in who you are, so I may be preaching to the choir here.

Great work on toning the arms and dropping 25 pounds! That sucks you can't have a job you love and tell people about it because it might hurt their fragile egos. I guess you could tell them you are a pole dancer and not let him know it is a firefighter pole or pike pole until you have had him on the dance floor for a few songs. :) Rock on sister fire fighter.