Yes I can code too!

I heard these things million of times from many people. I forgot many incidents but few things I remembered because it was quite shocking.

First time when I was doing my bachelors in Computer Science and Engineering, a friend of  my cousin wrote me  -"Are u seriously doing bachelors in CSE?"

I said -"Yes, why?"

He replied -"Generally good looking girls are good for marriage and family. Why are you wasting your time for studies?".

I replied - " :) Thanks for saying me I am good looking. But one day you will get your answer."

(He graduated from a top university of India and now studying at Oregon State University)

Second time, I heard it from my TA at University at Buffalo at 5 pm, Research Lab of my TA.

TA-"Why are you studying here?"

Me -"Because I want to do something on my own. I want to code and work here."

TA -"Don't you think you should get married, cook for your husband and decorate your home?"

(That TA graduated from top school in his country and was doing PhD)

[Yes I cook and I love to cook. Is someone, who loves to cook or decorate home can't be a coder? ]

Third time a shocking thing I heard from a interviewer.

Interviewer -"you are glamorous. But it is a IT industry, we can't use your glamour."

I replied -"I am here to code not to market your product".

Why people think, if you are dressed up you cant code. Why do i have to wear a t-shirt and jeans to code something? If I wear my mascara will my brain stop working? 

I know some geeks wear t-shirts and jeans. But why do I need to wear a old faded t-shirt and flipflop to show myself as a coder? I can code in JSTL by wearing a blazer - can't i?

People(and trust me they are educated people) have a very common stereotypic idea about woman. They think a woman can't be a good coder if she dresses up and wears makeup. They also think, you should wear some thick spectacles and code with a hamburger on your desk to get some REAL job done. 

There are few girl friends of mine, who are very successful in their world. Yes they wear make up, they manicure their nails but they are more successful many guys. I see people discuss about a girl's makeup more than her success and achievement. 

Why? Guys - please change your mind and embrace that a well groomed girl can be as successful as you.

Girls, don't think about what world thinks about you. Do whatever you want and feel free to do so. At the end of the day what matters is your work not what other people think.