So today I had a meeting at work. I’m in a corporate environment and I had to make a presentation to some upper management. All went well and I was even approached by one of the memebers of the upper management I was presenting to and he began to compliment how well I did. It was very exciting to get his positive feedback...until he decided that this was just his opening to ask me out to dinner.  

HELLO!!!! Do you not see the ring on my finger!!!  

I am so sick of this male chauvinist environment in the workplace. I mean, thanks for finding me attractive, but I’m trying to be professional and I put a lot of effort into my work. I spent several nights working hard on my presentation and in the end, I’m not credited for my accomplishments as a coworker and an equal, but just looked at simply as a woman. And at the same time, I feel like my marriage was disrespected because apparently the ring on my finger wasn’t enough to show that I’m ‘off the market.’  

Anyway, in my many years being corporate, it’s not the first time I’ve run into such a situation. Has anyone had similar experiences? Any suggestions? This is far from a ‘sexual harrasment’ type situation so let’s not go there, but what are your thoughts on how a woman can gain respect as an equal in the ‘male dominant’ corporate world?