Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

Feminism: chat

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

Original poster

Marks and Spencer support new Hooters in Bristol, #2

406 replies

sethstarkaddersmum · 25/09/2010 18:39

I went to post on the first thread but it was full so here is a new one.

I'm reposting Jessinavalon's OP from 10th September since it explains what is going on, for anyone who is new to the issue:

'Dear all
This is my first post on here so I hope I am doing this right!

I live in Bristol and, last week, 'Hooters' was granted a licence to open in the city centre. The site is virtually opposite 3 apartment blocks, the lower floors of which are social housing and children are living in them.

What's most disappointing is that Marks and Spencer are leasing the site to 'Hooters'. They have been e-mailed by many concerned people to ask if they will reconsider leasing the building but they have just replied saying it is a "commercial decision" (as if that makes it ok!). In Sheffield, a 'Hooters' didn't even make it to application stage because the developer (Ask Pizza) realised that it would be better not to be associated with a company like 'Hooters'.

Marks and Spencer don't seem that concerned, however. Although they have signed up to the "Let Girls Be Girls" Mumsnet campaign they are not concerned about a company which sells merchandise including babygros which say "Future Hooters Girl" and "Does my butt look big in this?"

I have written to Marks and Spencer telling them that I won't be shopping in their stores again. If you feel strongly about this, please e-mail:

[email protected].

'Hooters' tries to sell itself as a family friendly restaurant but it is anything but. The Hooters in Nottingham attracts mainly stag parties and football fans. Hooters Girls take part in bikini contests and iced wet t-shirt competitions (the t-shirts are put in the freezers before the girls wear them). 'Hooters' has links to Playboy magazine....I could go on.....

I think Marks and Spencer should be shamed for facilitating this company's expansion into Bristol. They are selling women and girls down the river by leasing to this company and all just to make a "quick buck".

Thanks everyone.'

OP posts:
ccpccp · 29/09/2010 08:05

Thankyou Katie.

A little sense at last.

JessinAvalon · 29/09/2010 07:43

David-I was hoping you would rejoin us. I was missing you!

I love the interest you are taking in this. At first I was a little creeped out at the idea of a middle aged man sat at his computer at 3am typing out insulting messages on a feminism thread, but now I realise the error of my ways. You are here to teach us silly girlies so much!

I'm sorry I ever doubted you.

You are my role model.

Jessxxxxxxxxxxxx

ElephantsAndMiasmas · 28/09/2010 22:49

sod off David

DavidStHubbins · 28/09/2010 22:28

Hey, I've got it - maybe Hooters cocked up the licencing application by printing the notice on the wrong paper...

nohootersinbristol.blogspot.com/2010/09/mystery-of-vanishing-licence.html

Oh, well. Worth a try. Who says we're clutching at straws?

LeninGrad · 28/09/2010 20:41

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MNHQ
KateMumsnet · 28/09/2010 20:31

Hello

We thought we should give you a quick update on where we're at re the M&S Hooters thang.

Some of you have asked whether we can ask M&S to review their association with Let Girls Be Girls, because doing business with Hooters is in conflict with supporting the campaign - if not technically, then in spirit. M&S have said in a statement that the decision is a purely commercial one - but clearly, not many MNers feel that this lets them off the hook.

We're pretty sympathetic to this point of view, and we're disappointed that M&S has chosen not to take note of the strong opposition amongst MNers. You might have seen Justine's interview in the Independent on Sunday, in which she expressed the strength of feeling here.

But after considerable thought, we've decided to hold fire for now. The Let Girls Be Girls campaign has a very specific remit - retailers who sign up commit 'not to sell products which play upon, emphasise or exploit' children's sexuality. While Hooters may be objectionable, it's not yet clear that they are objectionable on those terms - and right now we think that retroactively expanding the terms of the campaign would be a mistake.

But do rest assured that we're keeping a close eye on these threads - and of course don't feel deterred from using the boards to take your protest further. The best MN campaigns are usually driven by MNers and we are of course, more than happy to facilitate and comment in the press when asked.

AliceWorld · 28/09/2010 20:02

I was glad the article also recognised that as it stopped me from feeling alone.

JessinAvalon · 28/09/2010 20:01

I know! Unbelievable!

AliceWorld · 28/09/2010 19:41

The disconnect in that CEO's head is mind-blowing. Shock

JessinAvalon · 28/09/2010 19:33

Perhaps he can't be sacked because he's the franchise owner? If you've bought the franchise, presumably no-one can sack you although they could take the right of owning the franchise off you?

JessinAvalon · 28/09/2010 19:32

I don't know. Sounds pretty young.

The irony of man who set up the Hooters franchise saying that the manager doesn't treat his staff with respect! It would be funny if it wasn't true.

LeninGrad · 28/09/2010 19:23

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

JessinAvalon · 28/09/2010 19:11

Undercover boss at Hooters

ElephantsAndMiasmas · 28/09/2010 17:42

Bwahahaha Jess :o

Finally realised that there really are people who would read DH Lawrence and be nodding along with every word.

JessinAvalon · 28/09/2010 17:32

Dear David
You have done it! I am now convinced of your wisdom, balanced opinions and general common sense. I am bowing to your intellectual superiority. I am no match for your intimidating and thought provoking arguments.

I realise nonw am just a silly woman and cannot think beyond my whimsical emotions. Nothing I have said matches you for wit, evidence based fact, or general good sense.

Now I have acknowledged the vastness of your intellect over my poor limited brain, perhaps you would like to find a more worthy opponent of your wondrous powers of debate? One day I hope to meet you again and to match you but I know I have a lot of learning to do in the meantime.

You are my mentor. Til we meet again.

JessinAvalon xxxxx

ElephantsAndMiasmas · 28/09/2010 15:56
ElephantsAndMiasmas · 28/09/2010 15:55

...And by pat I mean on the back, damn trying to work and MN at the same time!

DavidStHubbins · 28/09/2010 15:51

By saying you want to 'pat' them, should we assume that you consider these two posters as 'pet' men? Like they are tame and house trained enough not to shit on the carpet like the 'wild' men wo usually 'derail' your oh so civilised and harmonious discussions?

vesuvia · 28/09/2010 15:44

RamblingRosa wrote - "I'm not sure where "a cheerleader look" stands in law."

On the first "Hooters in Bristol thread" I posted the following:

"vesuvia Sat 25-Sep-10 14:52:43
Hooty wrote - "However it is a wholesome cheerleader image rather than a sleazy one."
Are we talking "Debbie does Dallas" or President George W. Bush here?"

I'd like to expand on that a little. Debbie and George are probably the two extremes of "the cheerleader look." Yes, George W. was a cheerleader (as was President Eisenhower before him). Debbie was a character in numerous 1970s porn films about a cheerleader and her "associations" with the players in numerous American football teams. The other cheerleader look between these extremes is the All-American girl-next-door type.

Which of these three cheerleader looks do Hooter's claim they are trying to present?

Is that the same as the cheerleader look that their male customers are likely to have in mind?

ElephantsAndMiasmas · 28/09/2010 14:35

me neither.

Every time I see Pan or Retiredgoth post something nice and normal around MN I want to pat them because so many of the men on here seem to delight in acting like tossers. You would think there would be more dads on here looking for support with parenting. But no, apparently no.1 activity is posting sexist shite, or defending it. Do you think they imagine it's their duty or something?

If I hear the phrase "bring a bit of balance to the thread" one more time I will stab cry.

Original poster
sethstarkaddersmum · 28/09/2010 14:22

a lot of the negative posters in this type of discussion are usually men though - I am fairly sure ccpccp is.
I didn't recognise the name of the person who posted the 'jealous' jibe.

OP posts:
ElephantsAndMiasmas · 28/09/2010 14:18

Aw Jess, I don't want to suck up but it is great that you are braving all this. It's not easy to put yourself up as the one to pick one who Hates Boobies or whatever. Hmm

JessinAvalon · 28/09/2010 14:15

Hello
I did have a look - thanks! - and I typed out a long response on this thread but then our server went down and I lost it .

I had posted a similar thread on AIBU once before at the suggestion of someone on here and it got a mixed response but nothing like it has done today. Really disappointing that there are women on MN who are calling each other "ugly/jealous" etc. I expect it on the comments of the Evening Post but not on MN!! I didn't realise AIBU was a big bunfight!!

It brings to mind the cognitive dissonance thread which seems very relevant here. I have talked to a lot of women who have a "if you can't beat 'em, join 'em" mentality.

Do these women not think about how it might have made them feel to have walked past a 'Hooters' at aged 6, or 10 or 14? Thankfully we didn't have to as it's relatively new to the UK but their children will.

Thanks all for explaining why it does matter and why it is important.

ElephantsAndMiasmas · 28/09/2010 13:54

Sorry that first comment sounded a bit harsh! I forgot the :)

ElephantsAndMiasmas · 28/09/2010 13:53

Honestly Jess, woman up and get over there (although there has been a nice lull).

Sorry about your family being sexists. Most women in this section (nay, the world!) have got similar stories to tell. My parents are actually great so I'll try not to talk about them too much. :o Although I said to my mum the other day "you just thanked him for ironing his own shirts" and she was Angry (with him/herself, not me)

Swipe left for the next trending thread