I had the joy of trying to explain to someone that I’m going to a librarian conference the other day. The response? “Oh, that will be exciting! shhhhhh!”
In the beginning I didn’t mind the shushing jokes, but they’re starting to bug me a little. But it’s a sign that we REALLY need to change our public image, starting with our own communities.
I especially enjoy the “Really?? You’re a librarian? You don’t look like a librarian!”
My reply, “Yes, I do! This *IS* what a librarian looks like.”
That is usually followed by me grinning while they stammer about desperately searching for a reply. Hehe.