Reaction: My friends confused it with a Stringfellows establishment

THE reaction from my friends and family at my joining a gentlemen's club was one of confusion. Though briefly confusing such an establishment with the Stringfellow kind, they couldn't quite understand my reasoning behind an application for membership of The Caledonian Club because I am, after all, a lady.

The gender barrier was evident from the beginning as the membership fee was lower than that of ordinary, male membership. On one of my first visits, I was quickly informed of the restrictions imposed on Lady Associate Members. Entrance to the main bar and reception room, The Smoking Room, was not permitted to female members. Perhaps cleverly crafted, my inability to go to the bar meant that occasionally my drinks were purchased by male members.

Now, this has all changed and the leather chairs I so enviously stared at from the threshold of The Smoking Room will be mine to sit in. I am proud of the implementation of this policy but when I visit reciprocal clubs, my status as a woman is still a hindrance. The Club d'Automobile in Paris would not allow me to visit without an accompanying male member. Then again, France gave women the right to vote 17 years after Britain.

• Rachel Hanretty, 21, is a St Andrews University student.