Ever have one of those moments where you just want to punch someone? I’ll tell you, this DB at the Portland Auto Show really made me mad.

I was taking a look at the Chevy Colorado, since the truck is comparable to my S-10, and decided to ask the people behind the desk a few questions about the truck. To caveat all of this, I’ve attended the PDX auto show for several years and have always been impressed with the friendliness and knowledge of all the various floor reps I’ve spoken with. I guess that is why today’s encounter came as such a shock.

I approached the desk where the DB and a woman coworker were standing. I said, “I have a simple question about the Chevy Colorado that I’m hoping you can answer.” The DB then made a joke about his female coworker’s intelligence, saying that as long as it was an easy question then she should be able to handle it. The look of shock on my face must have been obvious, as the poor woman quickly joked, “See what I have to work with?”

I realize the automotive world has been a male dominated space and the powers that be would often relegate women to the role of “booth babe” (where they are picked more for their physical characteristics than product knowledge). But I had really thought this kind of sexism was in the past. It shocked me that the DB behind the counter would have the gall to belittle this woman like that.

After the DB answered my question about the engine size options for the Colorado, he finished up by taking another jab at the intelligence of his female coworker. The poor woman had enough at that point and walked away.

Maybe this is the case of a floor salesman who showed poor judgment in the final hours of a multi-day auto show. Maybe it was just a sad reminder of how out of touch Chevrolet is with today’s auto consumer. Or maybe this was just a douche bag that should never have been put into a role where he speaks with the public. But whatever the reason, this is one of those guys who give men a bad name. I hope he gets hit with a sexual harassment suit in the near future.