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Original poster

Asda's new pronoun badges for staff

181 replies

BessyK · 08/06/2020 18:41

My BIL who works at our local store has just received this information, he thinks Asda's gone mad. Asda are also funding Diversity Role Models with £100,000 over the next year. Looks as though they're jumping in with both feet.

Asda's new pronoun badges for staff
OP posts:
SD1978 · 09/06/2020 00:06

I've never asked someone their pronouns, and don't see a need to in a public interaction setting. In a shop. Wouldn't be a hi, sorry to bother you, but do you know where the .............is? I don't think I've ever thought to say a pronoun in that interaction.

Thisismytimetoshine · 09/06/2020 00:04

Yes.

SingingSands · 09/06/2020 00:04

Does anyone else think "Ask me my pronouns" sounds a bit aggressive? Confused

Lordfrontpaw · 08/06/2020 23:59

@Mycatismadeofstringcheese - what the hell is all that blubber? Who comes up with this?

The lordself is not amused.

Mycatismadeofstringcheese · 08/06/2020 23:56

Gosh how transphobic of Asda to only include she, he and they! How awful of them!

What about Xe, zie, ve, fae, per and all the others?

I’m not saying if I worked there I’d insist on having a badge that said:

VE
VIR
VIS

that I could use on alternate Tuesdays as I don’t feel as:

PE
PIR
PIS

on those days (oh yes I’ll need a custom order badge for that too)

Asda's new pronoun badges for staff
steppemum · 08/06/2020 23:54

I shop at asda.
I often talk to staff - ask where things are, chat at the checkout.

I am polite and at times chatty.

I have never once needed to use a male/female pronoun, because when you are talking to someone the only pronouns you use are 'you' and 'me'

Gibbonsgibbonsgibbons · 08/06/2020 23:54

Grin “Lord is going to be working in the deli by lordself today”

Lordfrontpaw · 08/06/2020 23:48

I wonder if you could declare no pronouns at all (and watch people turning themselves inside out trying to work that out).

LastTrainEast · 08/06/2020 23:31

I want to start going to Asda so I can play "pronoun bingo" so maybe it's a good marketing gimmick.

OneEpisode · 08/06/2020 23:27

Asda isn’t just a shop, it’s a workplace. Colleagues will talk about each other, e.g “could you take over from Susan on the deli, she is due a break.”.
In this context, reminding colleagues of their pronouns at all times is the same as the use in email signatures and online directories for workers behind laptops all day.
In other words, proven to be bad for women. Reinforcing the sex category in which workers need to be allocated.

Lordfrontpaw · 08/06/2020 23:27

Because they have bought into the gender crap.

saraclara · 08/06/2020 23:18

@MittensTheSerpent

Oh for fucks sake. ASDA is the only supermarket I can get a delivery slot with at the moment. Will be boycotting anyway.
You're going to boycott a supermarket because they've made badges that staff can wear if they want to ?

Seriously?

Lordfrontpaw · 08/06/2020 23:14

“This is the best that Asda execs could come up with in 14 weeks of lockdown zoom calls?”

Ah that explains it. I bet whoever ‘advised’ them charged ££££. It’s the modern day ‘rebranding exercise’ then?

Lordfrontpaw · 08/06/2020 23:13

@Mooserp

Totally ridiculous idea but this thread has made me laugh

My supervisor asked why I was Howard 😆

I shouldn’t laugh - at work I sometimes use a name that isn’t my real one (I created them to avoid cold calls or so that we can share a project across some team members). It’s a unisex name but most people think it’s male (I guess because of the industry).
TSSDNCOP · 08/06/2020 22:35

This is the best that Asda execs could come up with in 14 weeks of lockdown zoom calls?

They need to look back and remember when they came up with BOGOF, the Asda challenge or they whirly price roll back thing.

That's what get customers in the door. Not migraine inducing SPAG tests.

TorkTorkBam · 08/06/2020 22:12

@Alabamawhirly1

I never understand the pronoun thing.

You only use a pronoun when talking about someone, not to them.

So if you did get it wrong. They wouldn't know.

The only time it would awkward is if you said excuse me sir, but if the sir was in a wig with blue eyeshadow on, you're probably gonna just say excuse me.

It is to tell you it is your thoughts being policed not your behaviour towards the trans person.

The badge means Warning heretics: do not reveal your heresy even if the devotee is not present

Alabamawhirly1 · 08/06/2020 22:05

I never understand the pronoun thing.

You only use a pronoun when talking about someone, not to them.

So if you did get it wrong. They wouldn't know.

The only time it would awkward is if you said excuse me sir, but if the sir was in a wig with blue eyeshadow on, you're probably gonna just say excuse me.

Mooserp · 08/06/2020 22:00

Totally ridiculous idea but this thread has made me laugh

My supervisor asked why I was Howard 😆

Gibbonsgibbonsgibbons · 08/06/2020 21:49

FFS
Can they have badges like this?
UN/ION

Deltoids1 · 08/06/2020 21:47

Flamingo where I come from everyone is called love - man, boy, woman, child, cat, dog etc . Grin

ShowOfHands · 08/06/2020 21:43

Ohh I used to work in Safeway whilst at college. My name was "Neil". Line manager used to get reet cross with me and my colleague Janet (Janet had a beard and a willy). Apparently, we weren't taking our name badges seriously. Should have claimed they were interfering with my identity. I could have been Neil on a Tuesday. If I had Neil Feelz. Bastards.

WrathFaeKlopp · 08/06/2020 21:42

Bananabixfloof
I could be very easily persuaded to misgender too.
I will use an alias name which will be Miss Gender or maybe P R O'Noun.

I can see the headlines in my minds eye.

FlamingoAndJohn · 08/06/2020 21:41

Customer; excuse me love, where are the beans?
Employee; ‘taps badge’
Customer; I’m sorry. Can you tell me where the beans are, mate.

WelcomeToTheMountaintop · 08/06/2020 21:35

@MockersGuidedByTheScience

Looks like I’m switching to Aldi

Asda la vista, Baby.

I just spat my beer out at that
Lordfrontpaw · 08/06/2020 21:25

Hmmmm maybe a crimson letter branded on your forehead?