This morning a female coworker and I had a meeting with the local chapter of one of the country’s largest nonprofit organizations. They wanted to ask the station to sponsor several of their events in 2004.

We walked into the conference room and introduced ourselves (names only) to the chapter’s executive director. We were both carrying legal pads and pens (our usual meeting armor) but while the fat, old, white man said, “Very nice to meet you,” to me, he turned to my coworker and said, “Oh, are you taking notes?”

“No,” she said icily, “I’m determining the status of our relationship.” She turned to me and raised her eyebrows. “Nick is taking notes.”

I quickly smiled and nodded at the chauvinist. The satisfaction of being present for this interaction was enough for me to go along with the plan.

To no one’s surprise, we are not sponsoring any events.