Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to be upset at models in shorts at my dhs work meeting when 30 weeks pg

88 replies

designergirl · 10/03/2011 13:23

I am 30 weeks pregnant.Dh recently went to a meeting at his work. There were two "models" being photographed outside the building with the managers. The meeting was for about 3o engineers, all male. They were the only two women there in their work vests, T shirt and very short shorts.
They had a presentation in the meeting inside and then a quiz on the content of the presentation. Anyone who got an answer right received a prize from the women, and got to have their photo taken with them after the meeting.
As I'm 30 wks pregnant and very hormonal this upset me a lot. My dh gave me lots of reassurance and said he didn't like them, didn't take part, didn't look at them etc. but I feel realy angry at his company for such sexism. Most of the engineers are married, and I know one of them has a sick wife so I don't think she'll be that impressed either.
Am I overreacting about being upset about it?It happened a few weeks ago and I've calmed down a bit now but at the time I was devastated!

OP posts:
snala · 10/03/2011 13:48

Why were you worried about him looking at them, they were clothed?

Do you allow him out in the summer to see women in shorts Shock

sethstarkaddersmackerel · 10/03/2011 13:50

It's sexist and completely unacceptable. Company is making itself look like a bunch of sad dorks.

and to echo what other people have said: you don't need to worry about your dh but you can be angry with the company for completely calm and rational reasons.

MarshaBrady · 10/03/2011 13:51

I don't think you should worry that your dh will like them.

But it does sound sexist and annoying in any case.

And I really wouldn't want a dolly-man to give me a prize at work either. It's all a bit naff.

(skoda draping aside of course)

Original poster
designergirl · 10/03/2011 13:57

Snala, of course I let him out in summer, and whether he looks at women in shorts or not when he's on his own is his choice. He has control over that. And those said women are just normal women out enjoying their life, they are not parading themselves as sex objects in high heels specifically for the men to drool over, and being paid for it. To me it may be similar clothing but it's a totally different scenario.

OP posts:
post · 10/03/2011 13:57

A few years ago a friend who's a nurse was sent to an agency job which turned out to be handing out leaflets/ samples at a trade fair, in uniform. When she complained to the nursing agency they admitted that that the company had specified that the nurse had to be 'gorgeous' and that they were using real nurses because it was 'cheaper than hiring models or tarts' Sad Shock

post · 10/03/2011 13:58

their description, I hasten to add

StayFrosty · 10/03/2011 13:58

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

GlitterHo · 10/03/2011 14:00

I think your hormones have made an uneasy situation worse, I don thinks its worth being devastated about but is a little old fashioned and sexist

lesley33 · 10/03/2011 14:01

I'm not surprised Virgin is so sexist a company. I remember seeing a documentary about the training of Virgin air hostesses which had Richard Branson presenting them with their certificates.

Richard Branson came across as a leery bloke and the whole ceremony was organised more like a beauty contest that a ceremony for giving out certificates.

MmeLindt · 10/03/2011 14:03

True, Lesley. Their TV ad is so sexist - the one with the stewardesses in high heels.

Original poster
designergirl · 10/03/2011 14:04

Apparently Richard Branson organised another stunt with models in thongs under short skirts outside the BT offices (my dh not there thankfully). They all stood in a line and exposed their bums and they all had a letter on their bum which spelt out the fact that VM had faster broadband.

OP posts:
PlasticLentilWeaver · 10/03/2011 14:07

Rightly or wrongly, I see what SeeJaneKicks DH did as being his job. It's what actors do. It does not mean there is attraction on either side.

However, having scantily clad women draping themselves over men at company meetings, I see as completely unnecessary and sexist. There isn't necessarily attraction from the men in this scenario either, many of whom may well be embarrassed but go along with it rather than speak out in front of their colleagues. It is degrading to the women to be treated as nothing more than objects like this.

OP would be right to be upset with DH if he had come home raving about how great it was. It is very clear that he didn't do this.

FabbyChic · 10/03/2011 14:08

You are overreacting it is just a marketing ploy. Nothing more nothing less. Don't be upset for the women they earnt a couple of hundred a piece.

cumbria81 · 10/03/2011 14:08

bloody hell. You are totally overreacting. Sorry.

staranise · 10/03/2011 14:08

I've been to one of those ceremonies lesley - it's true, the whole thing is set up for leching over the pretty air hostesses - didn't RB say that was the reason why he set up an airline in the first place?

Original poster
designergirl · 10/03/2011 14:09

No more heels, I have bought some nice dresses, especially in the last two weeks Smile, and also (just before this) a nice pg hot milk nightie (tmi sorry!).Needless to say, I'm probably making a bit more effort with myself at the moment, even tho I have never let myself go, even after 9 and a half yrs of marriage and three children!

OP posts:
thefurryone · 10/03/2011 14:15

Regarding Virgin Stewardesses someone once told me that the first stage in the recruitment process was trying on the on the uniform which they only make in one size, if it fit you were through Hmm

Have no idea if that is still the case (or if it ever was for that matter).

bemybebe · 10/03/2011 14:20

"True, Lesley. Their TV ad is so sexist - the one with the stewardesses in high heels."

They also have gorgeous looking pilots and their ads are very tongue and cheek. You guys should really lighten up methinks. Smile

MarshaBrady · 10/03/2011 14:22

I don't mind the model virgin adverts but would be irritated by a company hiring women to give out prizes etc

toddlerama · 10/03/2011 14:23

A couple of hundred a piece?! One of them did and she will have been responsible for getting the others there, paperwork, collecting client signature etc. The others got about £70.

aliceliddell · 10/03/2011 14:27

Nikki - Your hormones might be playing up but I'm not pregnant. I am pissed off at the rampant sexism. As for the comment 'don't feel sorry for the women, they got a few quid for it': I don't feel sorry for women who choose to work in the 'sex' industry, I regard them as colluding with sexism to the detriment of other women. I don't really care how much they earn; my cousin has a great job with BAE, it doesn't mean I support the arms trade who prop up Mubarak shooting civil rights protesters. Same principle.

LDNmummy · 10/03/2011 14:31

YANBU

Desperateforthinnerthighs · 10/03/2011 14:34

YABU but I'll put it down to pg hormones Wink

It wouldnt bother me in the slightest I have to say

bronze · 10/03/2011 14:36

Op says there are no women engineers working for the company. I'm not bloody surprised to be honest.

You're allowed to be upset and hormonal

And I'm angry because there are still companies like that out there

BuzzLiteBeer · 10/03/2011 14:36

whats being pregnant got to do with anything? Does it give you special sexism goggles? And it doesn't matter if they are married or you feel threatened (by what?) or anything else.

If its sexist and inappropriate it is at any time.