A year ago we bought a second home in Florida. The refrigerator works fine, but it was dated and pitted, and we discussed what to do to make it look better. Online I read that people paint their old fridges. That sounded intriguing, but I wanted to talk with someone who might know the pros and cons, so I went to the paint desk to ask.
Me: I'd like your expertise on a matter. Have you heard of painting a refrigerator?
Man: What? Paint what?"
Me: I've read in several places that you can paint a refrigerator.
Man: You want to paint a refrigerator? You want to PAINT a REFRIGERATOR? (To coworker) Julie, come over here.
Julie: Yes?
Man: (To me) Tell her what you just told me. (Before I can do that.) She wants to PAINT a REFRIGERATOR!
Julie: (Obviously embarrassed) I don't know whether you can so that or not, but...
Man: You can't paint a refrigerator. I've never heard of such a thing. (Walks away muttering)
I left, a little embarrassed and a lot angry. The man-splaining attitude, the rudeness, the refusal to even entertain the possibility that I might have done some research on the subject.
So I painted my refrigerator. Was it easy? Not really, but online instructions helped, and we were willing to invest the time and energy. For less than $40 (and lots of elbow grease) we have BEFORE (the rusty spots ar along the top of the lower door.
Do I want to go back and show that man these pics? Of course I do, but I won't. He'd have excuses or warnings or "buts". People like that don't change their minds when new information comes along; they simply justify what they've already chosen to believe.