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Original poster

British Airways - lipstick

134 replies

foolishpeach · 16/06/2014 14:18

I just caught up on last week's A Very British Airline, and I am really Angry that Jodie was kicked off the training course for not reapplying her lipstick often enough.

The stupid prat who fired her didn't seem to be wearing any lipstick and neither did any of the male recruits.

It is just another example of standards being different and more onerous for women.

OP posts:
ReallyFuckingFedUp · 16/06/2014 19:09

thinkaboutittomrow That urinal is shocking even by Virgin standards

merrymouse · 16/06/2014 19:09

That huffington post video is odd. I thinkstrong lipstick colour can look dated and bit OTT. It really isn't a look that suits everyone, particularly during the day.

If you were giving image advice to a woman in a high powered professional positions (high court judge, surgeon, scientist) you'd probably advise them that very obvious make up wasn't appropriate.

ReallyFuckingFedUp · 16/06/2014 19:08

I think you might be slightly missing the point

Itsfab · 16/06/2014 19:01

She wasn't booted off the course for not putting her lipstick on enough Hmm. She was booted off for getting four snap shots and the last one happened to be for non application of lipstick. I think it was obvious from the first show that she wouldn't make the grade.

Meglet · 16/06/2014 18:58

exactly boffinmum. IMO groomed is crisp clothes, polished shoes, tidy hair and nails and a clean face.

Make up has nothing to do with grooming.

IsabellaRockerfeller · 16/06/2014 18:55

There are "grooming" type standards for the men too - rules on the length of hair, facial hair, aftershave etc so it's not completely one sided.

But I do agree that needing to wear lipstick should not be a requirement of the job.

BoffinMum · 16/06/2014 18:53

Nobody should have to wear make up unless they want to. It is perfectly possible to look very well groomed for work with nothing on your face at all.

Meglet · 16/06/2014 18:53

Glad it's not just me who was getting the rage watching it.

mswibble · 16/06/2014 18:52

It was last weeks episode, still on iPlayer but a new episode on tonight at 9pm, BBC2. Not sure if last weeks will remain on after that.

meditrina · 16/06/2014 18:50

foolishpeach it was this case from 2011

ThinkIveBeenHacked · 16/06/2014 18:48

What day/time/channel was it on?

ReallyFuckingFedUp · 16/06/2014 18:47

Also Pp how can you believe in the patriarchy but not be a feminist?

DinoSnores · 16/06/2014 18:47

I thought it made BA look like a rather odd cult!

The video linked on this page is odd:

www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/jude-hurrell/british-airways-sexism_b_5482575.html

Curiously no-one has doubted my ability as their doctor because I'm not wearing lipstick!

ReallyFuckingFedUp · 16/06/2014 18:45

The women who take these jobs are not silly girls, but grown women and if they don't like the contract they don't have to take the role. As for saying well the American staff were more relaxed, they were. They looked a bloody mess and do in real life too. I've flown in and out of JFK many times and they let BA down with their appearance.

Do you really think only silly girls don't wear makeup? DO you really believe wearing lots of makeup equates to being good at your job?

Women's faces are not so hideous that they need to be hidden by makeup in order to look presentable. That is absolute fucking vile sexism.

Original poster
foolishpeach · 16/06/2014 18:18

Interesting information about the Harrod's appearance policies meditrina.

Do you know if the court considered the amount of time and effort it took each respective sex to conform to the standard laid out? Or was it just that because each sex had one, the policies were therefore 'equal'?

OP posts:
ThinkIveBeenHacked · 16/06/2014 18:17

A friend applied multiple times for Emirates and always got knocked back. She noticed that they had a preference for blondes, became blonde for thw next application and was accepted.

The cynic in me thinks the blonde was why.

outtolunchagain · 16/06/2014 18:12

But you can look clean and neat and smart IMO without being caked in make up .They are also excluding anyone with eczema or sensitive skin .

meditrina · 16/06/2014 18:11

"Outrageous, and I think they woukd struggle to defend if a sex discrim case was brought."

There have been cases of this sort brought against Harrods a few years ago. As Harrods had detailed appearance policies for both sexes, they won.

For longhaired stewards, I can see why hair needs to be anchored out of the way, and I don't mind a certain level of 'house style' standards for a uniformed role.

But I'd rather see a practical uniform - flat or low heeled shoes, trousers or culottes - as the most important part of the role is dealing with in-flight emergencies. And clean/hygienic as they also handle food.

But endless lippie? Unnecessary, other than for 'image'.

Anyone know which (if any) airlines have less extreme appearance requirement?

HermioneWeasley · 16/06/2014 18:10

ppplease. Don't worry, I would ask those questions regardless of which topic you posted in Grin

Original poster
foolishpeach · 16/06/2014 18:08

I agree kim.

Usually it is better hidden though - what has shocked me is that they aren't even ashamed of this policy and let it go out on national television.

At least when they are open about it, it is easier to question and fight it I suppose.

OP posts:
kim147 · 16/06/2014 18:04

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

BikeRunSki · 16/06/2014 18:01

A friend of mine walked out of a Virgin interview 15 years ago becuae of the make up policy.

Original poster
foolishpeach · 16/06/2014 18:00

The women who take these jobs are not silly girls, but grown women and if they don't like the contract they don't have to take the role.

But the contract is different for men and women and could well amount to sex discrimination.

Would it be ok if all jobs imposed these sorts of standards on women? What about women who can't/won't comply with those standards? Do they just not have a job?

OP posts:
ScarlettlovesRhett · 16/06/2014 18:00

Agree that the women have an unfairly disproportionate amount of grooming to attend to compared with the men.

A neat and groomed appearance is enough, I do think the wearing make up and hair neatly up is fine - but the continued ott upkeep of make-up is ridiculous.

ppplease · 16/06/2014 17:57

Hermione. I didnt realise when I posted that I was in Feminism. So am going to do what I do when I fond myself in this predicament, and run away fast, before I get triple interrogated.