I've been on the research boat for the past four days, and I'm absolutely cream crackered! Because we were working to the tides, the hours were a bit funny and included super-early 4am starts and lots of downtime during the day, which does send everyone a bit strange after a few days. In a good, hyper-crazy-funny way, but strange nonetheless.

Also, because I've been musing on this: it's funny being the only female in the outfit. I've never had a problem getting on with guys, and to be honest I was always a tomboy when I was younger and hence am loving the "boys with toys" aspect of working with boats and gadgets. I get to put on overalls and rigger boots and mess around with engines and winches and boat stuff and get my hands dirty, yay! But there are considerations in a predominantly male workplace that are unavoidable - lines to be drawn and not crossed, perhaps; when to be one of the lads, and when to acknowledge that being a girl affords you certain advantages and disadvantages.

For example:

ADV - using my Empathy Skillz to get on well with others and create a pleasant sort of cohesive team environment

DISADV - not being able to drag myself onto the RIB and having to be hauled up by the scruff of the neck (yeah, that's kinda embarrassing...)

I've nothing but good things to say about my colleagues: everyone's been lovely, and they've all been really sweet in helping me to settle in and feel at home. But I think the gender thing will continue to be a feature of the job purely because it's so bloody obvious, and I'm really conscious of not inadvertently taking advantage of any concessions offered to me - whether they be overt or subconcious. If that makes any sense at all? It's strange that the pressure isn't in trying to prove myself, but rather in not using my "power" as a woman to gain an advantage in an environment where I could easily do so.

Thoughts on this? I'd be interested in how the gender balance of your workplace/class affects the group dynamic...