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"When I was working at this fish supplier in France, the men were just a whole different breed of men. I was the only girl there, and I never had a problem with that because that’s pretty common, and at this fish monger’s it was a whole different breed of men, just a whole common disrespect, not just to women but to people in general.
And there was this Italian guy who flirted with me, and it was fine because he never advanced on anything—never made a move or anything—but I also knew he had a lady at home with two kids. Regardless of their relationship, whether it was open or whatever, I didn’t give a shit—I was in a relationship and was not interested in him.
He kept making inappropriate comments, and there was one time that actually led me to quit the following day: he said, 'everybody has a price—what’s your price?' And I told him, 'you can’t afford me.'
But I was really personally offended. I understand that people sell themselves, I do understand that, I understand that everything has a price, but I was offended that anyone would speak to me that way. Because, I’m not posh, but I’m too sophisticated for that kind of language. It was really disrespectful.
Another thing that bothered me about the rest of the guys is that they didn’t defend me. Where, if this situation would have happened in any of my work situations prior, at least one other male colleague would say, 'don’t talk to her like that.' But nobody did.
This was a whole different breed of men. They weren’t respectful or respectable. They’re not scum or anything—socially they were nice—but beyond what’s best for them, they really couldn’t give a shit about anything. And I told them, 'I hope your daughter never meets a man like you.' But, she probably will. She probably will."