There was a time, shortly after dinosaurs roamed the Earth, when mothers told their daughters not to act too smart, or the boys wouldn't like them. So they pretended they didn't know the answer in algebra class and swung wildly at the ball in softball practice.

This was about the time when women went into feminine professions like teaching and nursing and social work. Men were doctors and lawyers and businessmen. Women made their appointments, kept their books and brought them their coffee.

But this is the 21st century. There are more women in law school than men. Women run Fortune-500 companies. One almost became president.

So, no one should have a problem with a woman being a mechanic, right? Right! And wrong.

Emma is a published author and a combat veteran. She operated heavy equipment, and now she's a mechanic and proud of it. She says: "Generally when I meet someone it comes out in the first few minutes.

"A lot of people seem to think that guys would be intimidated by my admittedly not-so-feminine work history, and sometimes they're right. I think there's generation gap there, though."

Emma is 31. She says most guys her age don't seem to have a problem with it, but older guys — they're a different story.

She says: "Older guys really play up their masculinity. They think the fact that I'm a mechanic means I couldn't date a guy who has a less manly job. But I couldn't care less if a man works as a florist or a hairdresser."

However, Emma says an interesting phenomenon happens when she meets a man who is a florist or a hairdresser. As soon as he finds out that she's a mechanic, then he's a mechanic, too.

"Or at least he once was, in some vague way, in the distant past," she says. "Sorry, but changing your own oil doesn't make you a mechanic. I cook my own dinner, but it doesn't make me a chef.

"I'm not looking for someone to out-macho me or support me. It really irks me that so many men think women are gold diggers. I do well financially, and I've dated several men who made significantly less money than I. I never cared, as long as he wasn't trying to get me to pay his rent."

As if it weren't enough for men with weak egos that Emma is a combat veteran and a mechanic. She also owns a Harley.

She says: "The week after I bought my Harley, my friend Dan summarized my resume and said any man would feel emasculated by me and now that I just bought my own bike, I'd never get a boyfriend.

"Luckily, he was wrong. I actually met my boyfriend the very next day. He races motorcycles and loves that I like turning wrenches. Now I'm his pit crew. We've been together nine incredibly awesome months. He doesn't feel threatened by my job or my veteran status or my work history.

"I'm not trying to emasculate anyone. And I'm not trying to act like a man. I'm still a woman. I'm just a woman with a toolbox."

Women, do you work in a traditionally masculine field? Men, do you work in a traditionally feminine field? What effect does that have on your dating or relationships? Send your tale, along with your questions and problems to [email protected]. And check out my e-books, "Dear Cheryl: Advice From Tales From the Front" and "I'll Call You. Not."