Interesting read from one of our fellow female sailors.....

[boatman61]

Grow up.. he was selling a book/product..
From where I sit its You.. the OP that has the problem..
Go out and buy a large piece of Cod to stick on your other shoulder and make a meal of it.. Jeez..

[socaldmax]

Originally Posted by daletournier

Up until this week ive owned a fitness center for 18 years. Several years back statistics showed that 73% of my customers were women. The average age was 44. I then focused my advertising on that segment of the market which proved to be very lucrative. Does that mean im sexist towards men?
My last post was my opnion, not worded to be offensive or aggresive, but look at the first response that came back? This is a typical response to a non political correct opinion. Surely different views or opposing views are nessacary for balance, do they need to attract the typical emotional response?


Sent from my vivo Y35 using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app

The lady at the boat show responded emotionally and didn't buy the product, assuming it was no good based on the color of the people on the box. That snarky response you got from that poster was also emotional. You see the pattern, and you probably also, deep down, know how they operate.

They blame everyone else, and everyone else is sexist or racist except them, even though they're the first to point a finger and scream "rich white guy!" like it's an epithet.

[socaldmax]

Originally Posted by Ann T. Cate

I read the sequence of events somewhat differently. The couple had picked a training program that ticked many of their boxes, but the husband was already having doubts about this one. She let her husband take the lead, or he took it anyway, who knows, and the salesperson addressed him only. Suddenly, she's the invisible adult. The more invisible she is, the angrier she gets.

To write that "her widdle fweelings got hurt" could be taken to be extraordinarily *adjective of your choice* ranging from insulting, through demeaning, to, possibly, downright stupid.

The fact that she felt moved to write about it serves as a reminder of the imbedded female chauvinism still in the world. For some, it is a clarion call to action of some kind, but to me, it is only a reminder.

The woman's solution to her perceived problem was logical. She voted her wallet elsewhere.

No one on the sides away from the median will change anyone's mind here, as has been seen in so very many threads. Please, people, try and keep it polite. Or argue the opposite to your true position, you just might find giggles abound.

Ann

I'm sorry Ann, but I'm going to have to disagree with you.

First off, we've only heard one side of the story - hers. If there was a hidden cam video, then we'd have a better view of what happened. Whether her husband took the lead, or she didn't speak up, either way, the salesperson could have interpreted that as her not being as interested and so he focused on the male; let's face it, boating IS a male dominated sport and her husband DID take the lead.

Her response was purely emotional. "You didn't talk to me so I'm not going to buy your product!!!" That was childish, and thus the widdle feewings got hurt response. Believe me, all of my friends would have typed the exact same thing. The LOGICAL, intelligent thing to do is start a thread on CF asking if anyone used the product, how good was it, and decide based on those who actually used it. Instead, she looked at the PICTURES, didn't see enough color on them, and assumed from that it was an inferior product.

If that wasn't a clear case of prejudice, I don't know what is.

[crabcake]

Originally Posted by socaldmax

I'm sorry Ann, but I'm going to have to disagree with you.

First off, we've only heard one side of the story - hers. If there was a hidden cam video, then we'd have a better view of what happened. Whether her husband took the lead, or she didn't speak up, either way, the salesperson could have interpreted that as her not being as interested and so he focused on the male; let's face it, boating IS a male dominated sport and her husband DID take the lead.

Her response was purely emotional. "You didn't talk to me so I'm not going to buy your product!!!" That was childish, and thus the widdle feewings got hurt response. Believe me, all of my friends would have typed the exact same thing. The LOGICAL, intelligent thing to do is start a thread on CF asking if anyone used the product, how good was it, and decide based on those who actually used it. Instead, she looked at the PICTURES, didn't see enough color on them, and assumed from that it was an inferior product.

If that wasn't a clear case of prejudice, I don't know what is.

AMEN!

[socaldmax]

Originally Posted by weavis

I am laughing Ann, Honest.

Look at this: https://www.google.es/search?q=knitt...w=1366&bih=599

Tell me how many men you see in the search?

Then read this and it may give insight as to why people who try to be honest in their thinking and advertising are demonised and hung out for shame.

The Origins of Political Correctness

Pure equality can never happen because the sexes are different. I dont demand a woman holds the door open for me and want to be treated a certain way... I will take my chances on what happens. There will always be respect and consideration for the other person regardless of the sex, its called basic human decency.

Where it balances is with the cheque book. If a woman wants a product and feels demeaned or patronised she goes elsewhere. You know, it happens to me too from businesses and it has NOTHING to do with anything other than I dont like the person or the company...

I have always been an equal opportunity person. One of my best friends and colleagues in medical emergency was the most gorgeous sexy and feminine of women who could stand shoulder to shoulder in any circumstance or difficulty and retain her dignity and professionalism to the n'th degree. She proved herself as I had to prove myself and we forged a 4 year working relationship that was a joy to be a part of.

It is what it is. The second we make everything on the lowest possible common denominator, we join in the lie of Political correctness. Some people are chauvinists, some are silly, some dont think and some dont like women. Its the way it is.

As stated, if you dont like the product dont buy... Forcing someone to advertise a different way is forcing them to do what YOU want. Let a person be what they are and economics will sort them out.

The law forces people to accept, for example, that marriage is no longer confined to male/female relationships. It now legally can be same sex couples. The law however, as much as advocates for the new legal unions push, can never make some individuals like it. It is not a requirement that everyone not only accepts the legality of same sex marriage but should be enthusiastic about it... The same with taxes, the same with... etc.

We are in grave danger of losing out to common sense and truth if we push our own agenda and make everyone conform to the same base line for our personal preferences.

In saying that, I would be first in line if they made it mandatory that everyone own a catamaran...

Well stated!

Just for you, I did find that one guy who knits...

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by socaldmax

Well stated!

Just for you, I did find that one guy who knits...

Actually that's Crochet.. whole different thing..
Now This guy is knitting..

[socaldmax]

Originally Posted by boatman61

Actually that's Crochet.. whole different thing..
Now This guy is knitting..

Just shows how little I know about that kind of stuff!

LOL

[Gadagirl]

Originally Posted by weavis

No. You did not read the article cited above.

Here it is again. The Origins of Political Correctness

It is the most insidious tool ever designed and people fall for it thinking they are being liberal and equal.

Wait, what? I'd be starting a Marxist revolution if I voiced my opinion that a professor teaching my children and grandchildren should not be allowed to use derogatory verbiage towards an individual or group of people? Hmmm and here I'd been thinking that allowing such behavior caused divisions.

My idea of being PC clearly is not the same as others here. My idea is that you simply apply the "Golden Rule" . Treat others as you'd like to be treated. I don't think being respectable towards others is a Marxist conspiracy started during the first WW. Perhaps I'm not grasping the concept. Please explain, but geared toward a more average IQ individual such as myself.

[Gadagirl]

As to the OP? Good on her and her husband! She experienced something and shared that from her perspective. Voting with your wallet and sharing perspectives does bring change. Slowly, as the case may be. It's my opinion that there are people that don't want change or may be afraid of that change. But change happens! Adjust your sails!

[Gadagirl]

Originally Posted by GoingWalkabout

As for white females being upset about a brochure that doesn't have pictures of African Americans. I can understand this. I was in a different part of the country and was looking for a salon for a treatment of my blond hair. The Only salon I came across had pictures of African American women models. Rightly or wrongly I kept walking since I assumed they didn't have the expertise in dealing with my hair type but rather specialized in other types of hair treatment.

So you voted with your wallet as well. Good on you!

Originally Posted by GoingWalkabout

Perhaps I should have gone into the salon and demanded that they have a more representative display of photographic models. Telling them, don't you know that there are a lot of white women looking for blond hair treatment. I am sure if I had dared say anything like that I would have been yelled at, cursed and told to get my skinny white a..... out, you mother .......... white b.........

I'd like to point out the blogger did not demand to the business man that he change anything. Just as you didn't. She also simply shared her experience on line, from her perspective. Just as you just did.

[socaldmax]

Originally Posted by Gadagirl

Wait, what? I'd be starting a Marxist revolution if I voiced my opinion that a professor teaching my children and grandchildren should not be allowed to use derogatory verbiage towards an individual or group of people? Hmmm and here I'd been thinking that allowing such behavior caused divisions.

My idea of being PC clearly is not the same as others here. My idea is that you simply apply the "Golden Rule" . Treat others as you'd like to be treated. I don't think being respectable towards others is a Marxist conspiracy started during the first WW. Perhaps I'm not grasping the concept. Please explain, but geared toward a more average IQ individual such as myself.

I'll see if I can give you some real world examples.

Richard Pryor and Eddie Murphy were both good comedians, and made millions of $$ off the use of the N-word. Now if they had been white, they would have been reviled as the most racist scum on the planet.

That's an example of PC.


15 yrs ago, a guy in a wheelchair was called "handicapped." To this day, the parking spots marked with wheelchairs are still called "handicapped." Now, the architects of PC want us to call the guy in the wheelchair "handicapable" or "differently abled", as if the term "handicapped" is somehow holding him back and demeaning him. Yet he is still in the same wheelchair, with the same disability, just now with a different name.

Did it make any difference in his life? None whatsoever. The most important thing to PC people is that they feel better about themselves, not that they make any actual difference in this world.

What's in a name? Nothing.

Years ago, I served as a mess crank on a sub, and I answered to "CRANK!" A few years later, they changed it to "Mess Attendant." Some years later, they changed the cook's rating from Mess Specialist to Culinary Specialist.

Guess what changed? Nothing. CSs still cook 4 meals a day, 20 hrs a day, 365 days/yr. The mess attendants still bus tables and wash dishes 20 hrs a day, 365 days/yr.

What an amazing difference the name change made!

Next they'll come up with a new name for manure, and it's going to smell like Fabreze!

LOL

[socaldmax]

Originally Posted by Gadagirl

As to the OP? Good on her and her husband! She experienced something and shared that from her perspective. Voting with your wallet and sharing perspectives does bring change. Slowly, as the case may be. It's my opinion that there are people that don't want change or may be afraid of that change. But change happens! Adjust your sails!

Now dig a little deeper. On what basis did she make her decision? A perceived lack of diversity in the advertising materials?


Or was it targeted demographics?

It's election time. I'm getting contacted exclusively by one political party, but not the other. Am I being discriminated against by that party, or has demographics (and all of the cookies on my computer) told both parties who I'm interested in and who I'm not interested in?

A better criteria for judging the quality of the materials would be input from prior customers. Not wild assumptions about the materials based on advertising brochures. That was quite a leap.


Next thing you know, people will be screaming, "HE's NOT VEGAN!!!" "MURDERER!!!" when they spot a BBQ grill on the stern of the boat in the pic.

[Thomea]

I can totally agree with this .. thank you for sharing this.. truely ..

[Gadagirl]

Originally Posted by socaldmax

What's in a name? Nothing.

Except that many seemed to become upset by the derogatory term "old white guys" that she used. Clearly there are some elderly Caucasian gentlemen that prefer she not use the terminology that she chose.

[Gadagirl]

Originally Posted by socaldmax

Now dig a little deeper. On what basis did she make her decision? A perceived lack of diversity in the advertising materials? advertising brochures. That was quite a leap.

My opinion was that she based her decision on her interaction, or lack there of, with the salesman. I think her observation of the brochure was secondary or an aside comment. However you'd really need to ask her directly what was her primary thought in not purchasing that product.