Gender bias in the MAC store

Last weekend I visited a friend of mine in Liverpool. As we both enjoy a good shopping we went into town to get some nice autumnal wardrobe additions. By the end of the day we found ourselves in the MAC store, which was, I'm pretty sure, my friend's highlight of the day.

So, as she went crazy in there I sat down with our bags in the corner and had some time to look around. And I noticed something.

It's a common phenomenon that men find it difficult to take women serious in professions that are deemed more masculine. From police officers to the girl helping you in a DIY store, I can guarantee that they share one experience; the alpha male who belittles, degrades and looks down upon them.

*disclaimer; not every male does this, obviously. It just happens from time to time and it shouldn't. Duh.*

In the MAC store there was a guy who was running around trying to help out the herds of girls trying to get their fix of make-up products and what I realised is that it is very unlikely that any of them is thinking something along the lines of; "pff, what does he know about this? I will just wait until that lady over there can help me, because I need some actual advice."

Do you hear how strange that sounds? I mean, I guess it's possible that some girls think that way but it's definitely a bit strange to doubt an employee's expertise just because of his gender in this setting.

So why is it still normal to doubt whether a girl in a male dominated profession can offer you adequate advice?