Ladies on the Lot

by Lawson, Helene M.

• ISBN13: 9780847698622
• ISBN10: 0847698629
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2000-06-01
• Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Pub Inc

Summary

In this unique and lively ethnography of women who sell cars, sociologist Helene M. Lawson and the ladies on the lot take readers behind the scenes of one of the last bastions of a predominantly male workplace: the car dealership. Linking the women's own stories within the broader framework of gender and occupation, Lawson presents an engaging and important case study on the impact of gender differences and behavior in the workplace.

Author Biography

Helene M. Lawson is associate professor of sociology and director of the Gender Studies Program at the University of Pittsburgh, Bradford.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	vii
Preface	ix
Introduction	1	(8)
PART ONE: BEHIND THE SCENES
En Route to Selling	9	(14)
Green Pea Counters, Country Clubs, and ``Girly'' Stores: The Politics of Dealership Location	23	(8)
Life on the Floor	31	(18)
PART TWO: ON THE LOT
Pinches, Pats, and Pokes: Negotiating the Hostile Environment of the Sales Floor	49	(18)
Toughened Up: Everyday Life on the Floor	67	(16)
PART THREE: OFF THE LOT
On and Off the Floor: Finding a Balance	83	(10)
Having What It Takes: Who Leaves, Who Stays, and the Potential for Building Successful Careers	93	(22)
Conclusion: The Sum of Opportunity for Women Car Sales Agents	115	(2)
Epilogue: On the Road	117	(16)
Appendix: Fieldwork	133	(4)
References	137	(6)
Index	143	(4)
About the Author	147