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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

in objecting to this obvious sexism

185 replies

bibiane · 01/05/2011 14:35

I have been surfing the net in search of fishing trips to Puffin Island,Anglesey when I came across www. starida.co.uk which advertised fishing trips to the island. When I clicked on the Prices link I read this little gem - ' a family trip ideal for even MUM' ? Duh! To whose Mum they are referring I can't imagine. A victorian heroine of a gothic novel who swoons whenever she sets one dainty foot on a sea vessel perhaps?

My 11 yr old daughter took umbridge to this straight away and wanted to contact the company. I think an email to the North Wales Tourist Board is in order.
Is sexism alive and kicking in Wales?

OP posts:
TidyDancer · 01/05/2011 14:39

I think it was just a midguided way of saying it's a tourist-y trip as well as a fishing trip. I see your point, but I don't think it's worth making a big deal over tbh.

doley · 01/05/2011 14:41

Its a fishing trip right ?

I think 'traditionally' men tended to go fishing but now they need to up-date their info to be in line with what has happened for generations :)Wink

I think it is just not thought out very well ...your daughter could contact them and see what comes of it perhaps ?

Original poster
bibiane · 01/05/2011 14:44

So its just a joke and Iam the one who just doesn't get it?

OP posts:
Southcoastsarah · 01/05/2011 14:46

if thats all you have to worry about, i envy you

manicinsomniac · 01/05/2011 14:46

I think it would be interesting to see if your daughter got a response. She should write, it would be a good experience for her.

SybilBeddows · 01/05/2011 14:46

that is irritatingly sexist and patronising.

Love the sound of your dd Bibiane - hope she complains!

TidyDancer · 01/05/2011 14:47

No, I don't believe any of us who responded said it was a joke. We just didn't think it was the big deal you did.

TakeItOnTheChins · 01/05/2011 14:49

Oh for goodness sake. What do you think the ratio of men to women is on fishing trips? Hmm? Hmm

Like it or not, it IS generally known as a bloke's thing. Honestly if you're going to get worked up about this, then you really need to get a hobby and encourage your daughter to do the same.

StewieGriffinsMom · 01/05/2011 14:52

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

doley · 01/05/2011 14:53

Actually thinking about it ,I think the fishing part might not have been the main message ?

Perhaps they were thinking that as it was a family trip 'normally'Wink Mums end up doing all the work `meaning it would be fun for her too ?

I guess your DD should contact them ...I am a little bit interested to see their slant .

TakeItOnTheChins · 01/05/2011 14:54

I hope she complains too - hopefully she'll receive a "Get a life" type response and will learn a valuable lesson about what's worth complaining about and what's not.

lubberlich · 01/05/2011 14:57

In the grand word of sexist crap this is pretty innocuous and taken in context on their website I don't think it is that bad. Mainly they are advertising very blokey deep sea fishing trips - they are just pointing out (in a clumsy way admittedly) that this is suitable for the whole family. Anyway I admire your daughter's oomph though. Good to know that the next generation are up for the fight!

iwasyoungonce · 01/05/2011 14:58

This kind of sexism annoys me too. It's so insiduous in our society that most people don't notice or bother about it.

Hate the term "mum" used in this way too.

Good on you for raising a daughter who notices, objects and challenges these things.

TakeItOnTheChins · 01/05/2011 14:59

Exactly. Perfectly summed up. Hardly worth you and your daughter getting your knickers in a knot about though, is it?

LadyKaraStarbuckofThrace · 01/05/2011 15:00

Good for your daughter! This sort of thing annoys me too, that's why I hate the Iceland adverts so much!

SardineQueen · 01/05/2011 15:02

Good for your daughter!

Shame on anyone who would actively hope that the company would tell her to take her complaint and stick it. She's 11 for christsakes Hmm

QuickLookBusy · 01/05/2011 15:02

Sorry but I think it's offensive to say "Is sexism alive and kicking in Wales?" based on you looking at one Welsh website.

zikes · 01/05/2011 15:03

YANBU

SardineQueen · 01/05/2011 15:03

Well of course it is. It's alive and kicking everywhere.

StewieGriffinsMom · 01/05/2011 15:04

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

TakeItOnTheChins · 01/05/2011 15:05

SardineQueen if she gets into the habit of firing off disapproving letters about every little thing at 11, then by the time she's 18 she won't have time to find a job. She'll be too busy with her complaints.

StewieGriffinsMom · 01/05/2011 15:06

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

TakeItOnTheChins · 01/05/2011 15:08

It isn't insidious sexism. It is, as Lubberlich pointed out, clumsily worded but it's hardly the crime of the century.

edam · 01/05/2011 15:09

Good for your dd. She will go far. Company were probably being clumsy rather than deliberately obnoxious but it's definitely worth pointing out to them so they can correct it.
Don't think Wales is any more sexist than any other part of the UK, though.

zikes · 01/05/2011 15:09

No Takeit, she'll get a load of vouchers if she gets into complaint letter writing, she'll be politically active, socially responsible and have excellent communication skills.