Happy International Women's Day 2007

International Women's Day 2007

International Women's Day seems non-existent in Canada. I know the library puts up displays and various women's groups use it as an opportunity for education and advocacy, but nothing special happens. It should be a day to honour the women in your life, to do something nice, like laundry, for your wife, mother, sister, friend, etc. I loved the tradition in Vietnam - all women are given flowers. I remember being in an internet cafe in Hanoi and I'd just had the most frustrating experience. I'd typed out a long, satisfying bulk e-mail to all my friends about our travels, I hit send, and watched the little hourglass turn over and over as the slow connection attempted to send. Sometime later, (this was a really slow connection) I noticed the hourglass was gone. I slid the mouse back and forth and the blue screen flashes at me. I was so mad - especially since I still had to pay for my wasted time and felt like complaining, but instead just paid and started to stomp off out the door. As I was stomping, I hear the cafe clerk saying "miss! miss! excuse me!". I turned around, angrily thinking "now what?" with an impatient huff. The young guy from behind the desk was now standing and in his hand was a yellow rose. He handed it to me and said "Happy Women's Day!" and sat back down. Flustered, I thanked him and left with a big grin on my face. Now that is a special way to celebrate women!