My instinct told me that I should not pull on the loose thread. The very next thing I did was to pull on the loose thread. The more I pulled, the longer it got and then to my horror the button on my shirt, third from the top, fell off. I rolled my eyes and wondered how many time over the course of the day I would have to explain to others that I hadn't forgotten to button my shirt but that that the button had fallen off on my way to work. Slightly counter intuitive, but I feel much more in control if it were an intentional mistake than if it were an unintentional mistake.
I sent an SOS out to a group of colleagues over Whatsapp to ask if anyone had a needle and thread. One had a needle but not thread. Another said she was still at home and could bring the thread to the office. Later that morning, when I had both the needle and thread, I sewed the button back onto my shirt. Anyone walking pass my office would have thought I was performing open heart surgery on myself. Taking my shirt off to fix the button was't an option, firstly because my room has glass walls and secondly I didn't have the physique to go shirtless behind glass walls. Some things are just better left protected from view.
It may have been a slightly different outcome without these female colleagues. I wouldn't have approach a male colleague for a needle or thread because it isn't something one guy asks another, is it? If I asked, what were the chances that a male colleague would have a sewing needle handy? Unconsciously biased I know. What exactly does it say about what I think women have in their handbags? I am sure there would be more surprising revelations if I peel through the many layers in my head. But it is a start to be conscious about unconscious biases.
JL and LS, thanks for coming to my shirt's rescue today.
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