That’s where you actively go “Woah, better spread those handshakes around. If the boss don’t sign off on the plans, my word means nothing!” You give them an out. If they’re sexist, they may engage with an “heh heh, I know how it is, women!” but if they’re cautious they will hopefully just go to being professionally cordial with your partner.
Whilst I’m not sure about contractors specifically, at least in my technical area “Software Development” having the expertise/insight in the social domain (which is not part of the expertise required for the job) to do things like that is more the exception than the rule.
But, yeah, totally agree that the wise, well-rounded and (IMHO) competent professional would at the very least do a bit of subtle “social discovery” to try and figure out who is the best person the interface with.
That’s where you actively go “Woah, better spread those handshakes around. If the boss don’t sign off on the plans, my word means nothing!” You give them an out. If they’re sexist, they may engage with an “heh heh, I know how it is, women!” but if they’re cautious they will hopefully just go to being professionally cordial with your partner.
Whilst I’m not sure about contractors specifically, at least in my technical area “Software Development” having the expertise/insight in the social domain (which is not part of the expertise required for the job) to do things like that is more the exception than the rule.
But, yeah, totally agree that the wise, well-rounded and (IMHO) competent professional would at the very least do a bit of subtle “social discovery” to try and figure out who is the best person the interface with.