I try to give blood regularly. For those of you who have never given blood, you are asked a ton of questions to ensure that your blood is safe to give before donating. While in the hot seat, the nurse also takes your temperature, checks your iron level, tests your blood pressure, etc. In addition to the evasive questions and various pokes and proddings, the nurse also asks fairly normal questions. It was a fairly normal question that actually made me pause and laugh yesterday. Went something like this.
Lady: Name?
Me: Maren
Lady: Social?
Me: ###-##-####
Lady: Height?
Maren: 5’10”
Lady: Weight?
Maren: 165 lbs.
Lady: Gender?
Maren: Excuse me?
Lady: Gender?
Maren: (Laughing) Seriously? Female.
Lady: We are required to ask that now.
She asked a few more questions, but it took me a while to regain my thoughts and answer the other questions normally. My sarcastic bug kicked in and for a split second I had the urge to make the interrogation into a joke. I fought the urge and answered correctly so that a needy person could use my blood.
It’s kind of sad that we live in a society where gender can’t be assumed. Everyone is sue happy. And EVERYONE ELSE is afraid they will be sued for assuming something that SHOULD be simple. And as a result I have to declare my gender when donating blood. I think I’m going to go slather on some more makeup. For some strange reason, I feel mannish.
