That&#x27;s probably exactly what it was - an awkward attempt at flattery.  An expression of interest, in an attempt to see if the interest might be mutual.  After all, there&#x27;s no logical reason attractive women can&#x27;t be engineers.<p>Are women really so brittle they have to take offense at something like that?  Do they really think they&#x27;re somehow Striking a Blow Against The Patriarchy by humiliating some poor guy for not navigating the PC minefield?