sdfsdf44

This sounds about right. People are generally aware of how they look and act and what that communicates to others; it is always possible to adjust people's perceptions through words and actions, but the initial impression is, for most people, at least partly a calculated thing.

By all means, people should look however they prefer to, and ideally many knee-jerk reactions to things would be less so, but the world isn't ideal. I strongly prefer people who do reserve their judgement of someone until a more complete perception of them has been made, but I acknowledge that it isn't something I always do, by any means. If I see someone in a suit, my snap judgement thought is very unlikely to be 'hacker' unless they are discussing or engaged in something relevant (just as it's unlikely to be 'investment banker' for someone in a band tshirt and scruffy jeans). However, I don't discount the possibility by any means.

>If I saw you in public with nails painted I'd just think you are daring individual. It might be positive, it might be negative. I'd be more curious but also more cautioned if I ever were to enter verbal contact with you.

I'd be perfectly fine with this reaction.

I realise I've probably been stereotyped about it, but as far as I can see, it's never actually affected me directly.

I understand and appreciate that, but I do hope some day it will be considered as normal and acceptable as it is for a woman to. It's just self-expression, and although it may seem strange, I don't do it to stand out even though such an action naturally does cause me to, and I'd rather I was able to without being 'unusual'. I'm far more confident than when I started, but still feel self-conscious from time to time.

I'm the same. I do it because I like it; nothing is implied about who I am and every actual comment I have received has been positive or neutral.

I read a few blogs as well as subreddits, but at least for now, lack the skill to do real 'art' myself.

A program would be an interesting exercise, I guess.

As for 'inappropriate' advertising to women, I'd say that stuff shouldn't /not/exist any more than ones pitched towards any other specific group too, but the neutral products should be done in a way not to exclude anyone, with the expectation that people will eventually gravitate towards them as they serve different functions - for people already engaged vs getting that initial engagement.

As a straight male who paints his nails, I find people getting upset over this issue (and the more general issue of gender stereotypes in tech at all) ridiculous, both people who assume negatively and positively.