heterosexual males are a different animal and unless you have relations with them on a day to day basis your going to find them as cold as an ATM ( interpreted: your not a woman so there's no need for them to get excited! ) so you should treat them as such ( "small talk" and a "soft voice" only work for women when it comes to manipulating men. ) , try "direct" and "harsh" being a straight man he will feel "challenged" and immediately spring into action in an attempt to be the bigger man , if not ..."you better drop that boy if he don't come winning!"...
I am agreed that women are the better workers but as with most companies that know I am gay they always send me a man. ( interpreted: as if I could be manipulated by an ATM! )

jim