The Reality of Mad Men

I tuned into Mad Men at the very end of last season.  This year, I’m hooked.  At first I was drawn into the whole genre, the fashions, sets, alcohol and cigarette consumption (mostly at work).  I am fascinated me to see how ‘the office’ ran when I was a young (yes I was a child in the 60’s.). But this season I see something more….more disturbing.

The women on the show are stereotypes I know, so I dug a little deeper to see if they are depicted realistically.  May 1961 Mademoiselle featured fashions for “job goers”.  Ads in the back were for Secretarial College and one from Pan Am Airlines promoting “how to see the world on a secretary’s salary.

Charm Magazine July 1951 (yep a decade earlier – but you get the picture) held highlights of fashion and beauty for "Office Workers".  There were a few women executives but the main focus of women in these days was marriage, marriage, marriage.

One woman describes in her work experience:

“I was hired in 1965 by a public municipality which employed some 300 people.  Supervision was heavy at this time, with little if any, latitude for the workers.  Time clocks were the norm. Permission was needed to utilize the bathrooms and we were timed as to how long it took to go to the bathroom and, how often we went.  After all most of us were paid by the hour and they wanted to be certain that we gave them every single minute due.  Our work lives were governed "by the book."  Excerpt from Women in the Workforce in the 60's.

So I started to think….has it changed all that much for us “office workers”? Yes, in many ways, women now hold higher positions, make more money and are more respected.  But I think we still have a ways to go.  Here are a few examples from my career…you decide. 

My first ‘big girl’ job. Administrative Assistant…I got this job about 5 minutes after the title had been changed from 'Secretary'.  Mid-80’s and here are a couple of tid-bits for you to ponder.

On Secretaries Day (see we were still Secretaries even tho’ they had officially changed the title) every employee in the office got flowers (including the men who were all in management).  My boss didn’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings (and apparently didn’t want to recognize the ‘secretaries’ doing all the work). Yeah that made me feel special.

When a Sales Manager position opened I was given a trial run at it and I think did well – I took it very seriously and accomplished everything asked of me. But didn’t get the promotion because “I was too valuable as an assistant.”  Now granted I might not have been the perfect candidate,  but he did hire a man for the job. I left the company shortly that bump against the 'glass ceiling'.

Got a Sales Manager position in a hotel, yay I’m on my way!  This boss subscribed to no less than 30 magazines, (People, TV Guide, etc).  Literally sat and read them all day long and requested I sit in his office "to keep him company".  He read while I watched until around 4pm Happy Hour.  Then he  moved to the lounge for drinks and I hopefully got a little work done.  Fortunately I wasn’t his assistant, she was busy ‘running for coffee and sewing on buttons’ and I’m not kidding 

Left that job too after a short time – decided this wasn't providing the work experience I was looking for.

1990 - I’ve moved to Atlanta and things are different (thankfully).  Diversity – wow, now that’s a concept.  I like it and had some good jobs during this decade.  But it was still party time… (remember I work in hotels).  All Sales Managers were 'expected' to frequent the hotel lounge at least 3 evenings a week to ‘mix and mingle’ with customers.  In the bar by 5pm and stay at least till 7pm if not later. I know you think this sounds fun….no – it got old quick.

On to 2000 – I've transitioned to real estate as the Atlanta District Director for real estate company out of California.  My boss visited with me only once and while there asked me do his expense report (along with copying all the receipts).  He was used to having an assistant and I guess he viewed me as his 'new assistant'.  Otherwise he was a nice guy and we got along great, never mentioned he had concerns (if in fact he did). 

He quit after one year and went back to hotels (guess he missed having an assistant).  His replacement came on board while I was out on medical leave.  He introduces himself over the phone and by his 3rd call was being a total jerk.  I quickly started to see the handwriting on the wall.  Then one of my peers calls to tell me that my position is posted as ‘open’ – I’m pretty sure this isn’t going to end well.

He flies in for my first day back and I’m excited thinking 'get to meet the new boss'.  Nope, that wasn’t it, he came in to fire me…..on my first day back from 6 weeks medical leave.

Bet you’re saying….”wait that can’t happen”…oh yes it can and does.  When I asked why he said “performance”.  "That's odd" I respond, "I've never had a performance review".  His reply, “well previous boss was supposed to give it to you before he left”. Huh???

Then the best part - he asked me to work until he found my replacement. What??  Are you kidding me?  NO!  Not only NO, but HELL NO!!  Fire me you coward – at least that way I can file unemployment.  Oh and yes, he did replace me with a man.

By now you are saying….”sue them”.  Well, it's not that easy and I did seek council; guess what they told me.  “Don’t bother”.  Yep – that’s right.  It could take up to 3 years to go to court and most cases side with the employer.  Now I’m not basing this on facts or statics just repeating what the attorney told me.  His suggestion, leverage for severance…which I did and got - 3 months.

So when I hear the lewd behavior of the ad guys in MM dismissed as “boys will be boys”.  Or when Dan Draper screams at Peggy “each morning you should thank me, and Jesus, that you have one more day”.   I think…have we really come that far?  The only difference is now we don’t say it ‘out loud’ – it just plays out in different ways.

The guys in MM are portrayed with a complete lack of integrity and humility (and I know it’s a TV show). But sometimes I’m not so sure there’s a ton of that going around these days either.  But I’m hopeful.  Because from time to time I have a boss who really steps up and renews my confidence in progress.

I’m thankful for all the jobs I’ve had – good and bad and wouldn’t change a thing. I’ve learned a lot -.what to do and definitely what not to do. And I’m still hooked on Mad Men. I love the drama, the clothes, sets, etc….but get a little sad when it reminds me

‘How far we’ve (almost) come’.

49. To Market To Market.....

OK, I didn't buy a fat pig.....that would alter the subject of this blog - but I did discover a couple of new 'markets' in my current hometown. 

Not once but twice this past week I branched away from my first true love, Whole Foods (aka Whole Paycheck).  Now I agree WF is a bit on the pricey side so I mostly look but in my endeavors to live a more healthy lifestyle I do 'fork out the big bucks' from time to time.  Let's face it, there are a few things you just can't find at WalMart. 

But wait....I digress, I was talking about venturing into alternative dimensions.  I discovered not 1, but 2 new (to me) organic markets in Birmingham Golden Temple Healthfoods and Cafe

and Organic Harvest Market and Cafe.  Both are delightful - each in their own unique way.

Golden Temple - located in the Five Points (South side area) is a fun market absolutely crammed with stuff.  Everything from the usual health food selections to a boutique with a vast collection of incense/candles, religious decorative items,  clothing, scarfs, books, etc.  And the cafe is awesome and offer a nice vegetarian menu.  I tried the "Stack" (get the small - it's huge) layered brown basmati rice, black beans, monterey jack cheese, house salsa, sour cream and guacamole. Yummie! 

Now on to Organic Harvest Market - this 'not so little shop located on Hwy 31 on the left if you are headed toward downtown Birmingham. 

This organic shop is quite nice and apparently expanding (at least that's what the sign said).  They have the basics of healthy fare and a good wine selection too.  The prices seem in line with "my first true love" the variety of products is impressive.  This store also boasts a cafe but it's not as interesting as the one at the Golden Temple.  But again they are re-modeling so I'll definitely go give it a 'test drive' soon.

What a treat to check out not one, but two unique grocery options.  I'm certain I will go back to both at some point in time.  Definitely to Golden Temple - the amount of stuff in there is to be examined more closely.  And of course I'm not hooked on "The Stack".   As a matter of fact I'm craving one now.....

But Whole Foods don't despair, I won't forsake you - you are too close, too convenient and yes to intriguing for me to stray far.  But having options is in the words of Martha "a good thing".