Its always interesting to see how different teachers tackle similar problems, even seemingly benign tasks can have a big effect on class and attitude.
The example that I am thinking of most recently is how teachers chose to introduce and set up a video machine in class. A very simple task that i have seen work very differently in different teachers' classrooms.

It seems like a very simple task indeed but the exicution can have vaired results. I have one (female) mentor that insists the "boys" should be the ones to get the video machine hook it up and turn it on, as long as they are not "too bad". But most male teachers i have seen would never let this occur. The female mentor says to the class she has no idea how to hook it up, and "you boys are experts" anyway. Whilst i think this method (either real, exaggerated or fiction) perpetuates the myth that females are no good at "technical stuff" and should be left to men, it certainly does have its advantages. As she rightly points out, it gives the boys chosen a good sense of responsibility. It also shows them that you ( the teacher ) trusts them with such a task. There are other benefits; it frees up the teacher to remain teaching, talking to the class about the lesson. Whist it is true that the "boys" are missing some instruction here, the most important aspect is that the teacher is not "missing a beat" and remains in total control of the class. I have seen the Mens class get increasingly out of control, distracted and off track as the male teacher fiddles/struggles with the video player, whist the Female teacher in a similar circumstance does not have this problem as the "boys" are dealing with the player.

After originally discarding the idea i think that now, after observing other teachers with video players, i may adopt the idea- with alterations. If a female student objects or registers interest in the task i would jump at the opportunities to share the duties around. I would use different language trying to never say that i am incompetent with the technology, rather i prefer to delegate the task.