Anger Management

One of my dearest friends and co-workers from the coffee shop where we both work/pretty much live, was subjected to some serious benevolent sexism. Or maybe hostile actually? I'm not exactly sure. Yesterday she accidentally dropped a glass french press, full of hot coffee. One can imagine the tragedy of a broken french press in the middle of a morning rush, not to mention the intense pain that results from hot coffee soaking through your jeans and tennis shoes! Any sane individual would cry out in frustration, pain, and anger (insert your expletive of choice here). The next day, one of the most patronizing, good ole'boy, father dearest type regulars came in and asked my pal if she had considered getting help for her anger management problems! She matter-of-factly explained to him the circumstances of her angry outburst the previous day, and he responded with an "Oh, I didn't realize..."
A while later, she was retelling the story to someone we both thought would be sympathetic to the ridiculousness of the previous customer's "fatherly" attempt at advice. I interjected at some point about how pissed off the whole scenario made me as well. His response was, "Now ladies, you need to calm down...don't overreact." But why shouldn't we react? First of all, "Daddy Dearest" has some serious boundary issues. Second of all, I cannot help but uncover the sexist implications of these male reactions.
Now I question, if this had been a male in place of my dear lady-friend, in the same exact situation, would "Daddy Warbucks" have said anything at all?? And would our male friend have told us to quit overreacting? Any woman that does not grin and bear it, especially when she allows herself to express anger and frustration over any given situation, is subjected to harsh judgement from patriarchal figures such as these gentlemen. It seems reminiscent of the Victorian era, where women must be "lady-like" and passive, and any female that does not conform, is condemned by society as insane, irrational, and in need of some serious therapy. In all actuality, the healthiest of us express our anger when we need to!
Do not belittle our anger to insanity or overreaction, and do not reduce us to our anger either. So for those out there that just can't take the heat of a pissed off babe, get the fuck over it!
Keep that angry ass, beautiful spirit alive!