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SJStone's avatar

As a retired Navy guy having served on 22 ships and 8 submarines, I've always thought of ships and boats as she, but I've never actually heard anyone say those things sexist about a ship. Not saying theyre not said, but I must have missed it. In the Navy, I always thought of your ship as your life and your instrument, and in the American Navy at least half of any sailor's time is devoted to making sure she is in top shape. I always thought it was kinda like love, but I'm a romantic and I loved being at sea with nothing around you but water.

Great first article!

Liz Shipton's avatar

I only hear it here and there - mostly from older guys (in their 70s-80s) who’ve spent much of their lives sailing and living aboard (and paying to upkeep, lol) their own boats (often with wives or girlfriends.) I know my mom faced a lot of sexism as the only woman on survey ships and oil rigs in the North Sea back in the day - glad to hear it maybe isn’t so prevalent in the Navy!

Liz Shipton's avatar

Oh - and thanks for reading!

SJStone's avatar

Makes sense. Definitely sounds like something someone's grandpa would say. I know nowhere is perfect, but I like to think there's a lot more respect for everyone in the military services, at least in the years and places and with the people I served. Honestly, the only place I've ever felt was as supportive a community for any and all as the military is the erotic writing community on any platform -- weird, but true.

Susan Tenney / Elemental Acu's avatar

This new platform promises to be as fun as your typing videos. Thanks for this.

Liz Shipton's avatar

Oh thanks! So glad you enjoyed 😊

Charity Kilbourn's avatar

Great article! I've always wondered about the "she" associated with boats. We named our boat Zissou after Steve from The Life Aquatic😅

Liz Shipton's avatar

Great name! ⛵️

Geoff_s's avatar

I wonder how (or if) this works in languages that use grammatical gender? French, Spanish, German etc