While I haven't done any formal research on the topic anecdotally it totally works on SO and abroad. People seem to start from a more eager position of "How ca

While I haven't done any formal research on the topic anecdotally it totally works on SO and abroad. People seem to start from a more eager position of "How can I help this person?" rather than the more typical "Does this person deserve help?" attitude support channels tend to have. The nature of the discussion is more clarifying than patronizing. I suspect the idea of a female disarms the typical competitive "Which of us knows more?" attitude discussions tend to take in IT circles and without that in the way things are more productive for both parties.