why I am not taking any more business classes (part one)

I took this class - "Human Relations" last year. It was one on a list of several business classes I intended to take, knowing that it would please my management and hoping it might grant me more skill in navigating the political minefield that is corporate America. I wrote this right before the class had ended, but I think it bears posting here.

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This textbook, for the record, is a fucking joke. Behold: several of its most ridiculous quotes. I acknowledge that these are taken out of context. Believe me, or don't, when I say that the context doesn't really improve them much.

"Pinstripes may make you appear as though you are trying to imitate male apparel." (141) So might pants, apparently, because they aren't even mentioned as an option.

"Men at work tend to talk to preserve independence and status in an organizational hierarchical social order. Women tend to talk for closeness to develop relationships, in which people seek and give confirmation and support." (160) Well that just about explains everything, doesn't it? Maybe if the women weren't so busy making friends, they could get some damn work done!

"Research supports that women are more emotional than men." (209) No citation, mind you.

"Off and often on the job...men are more willing than women to say directly what is important to them and state their expectations. Women generally trust that the other person will anticipate what's important to them without having to state their expectations." (304)

"Women [should] not date coworkers or other people in their industry, because if they do, they will be viewed as someone's girlfriend rather than a serious businessperson." (568) I find it amusing that here, and throughout the book, the author consistently uses "-person" terms, as if that makes up for the blatant stereotyping and double-standards.

"Women who perceive they will have problems managing solely because of their sex may be creating a self-fulfilling prophecy." (573) Because sexism is dead! Right?

I am, of course, not even getting into the two paragraphs of parenting advice, but I will leave you with this little tidbit:

"So, the question today is not, Will most mothers work outside the home? The question is, Will she leave work to raise children, and if so, for how long?"

Really, is that the question? Silly me. I thought the question was, How the fuck did you get this piece of shit published?

Published in 2008, that is.

Don't grind your teeth like that, gentle reader. It might give you a headache.