Women multi-task ten jobs simultaneously; men concentrate on doing one job well. So, whose method works better?
My definition of multi-tasking is to have dinner cooking [read: microwave heating through something left over because usually, I’m out at a London restaurant], my best friend on loudspeaker counselling her on a rubbish boyfriend, my diary open while simultaneously painting my toenails and the television on listening to the news. Our conversation would probably be: “blah… blah… boyfriend… blah… oh dammit, I’ve smudged it! … Blah… blah… have you seen the rate of inflation has fallen for the first time since 2009 … blah…. blah… he didn’t!? What a swine! Blah… hold on, I’ve got to stir this dinner…” – do you see what I mean?
Now, let me apply that to my work life. I could be in a taxi to Fulham, Filofax open, preparing for the next date in Kensington while using a fresh face of makeup, while on the phone with my mother, who I haven’t seen for weeks. However, should I ask a male friend or client what their definition of multi-tasking was, they’d probably say, “talking on the phone while eating a sandwich.” Or: “Wmulti-task task, that’s why they never finish anything!” The naughtier among them might liken multi-tasking to being able to do more than two things simultaneously in bed. With the former, I refuse to be drawn into that argument because it is the misogynistic view, nothing more.
So, do I believe that multi-tasking is purely a female thing? Of course, I do. I couldn’t possibly do my job as a top escort in London if I thought I couldn’t. Crikey, imagine how hectic and stressed my life would be. No, no. I shall continue to be marginally brilliant at a dozen things, extremely competent at half a dozen more and fantastic at two things simultaneously. After all, isn’t it true that if you want a job done well, you must do it yourself?
