[wildgift]

Why didn't he hint that during negotiations then?

My guess is that he just didn't feel comfortable reporting to a younger woman. Maybe he couldn't really figure it out, but he wasn't put into his comfort zone and backed off.

Dealing with a male, even a younger one, was probably easier. A bump in the title probably helped, too.

[WalterSear]

I think I could come up with at least a dozen equally plausible reasons why he wouldn't 'hint it during the negotiations' that have nothing to do with sexism.