washing instructions - give them to your woman!!!!

[LittleTyga]

Grrrr!

really? don't give them to me........

It's not stereotyping - it's a satirical comment on gender stereotyping.

People seem to be growing increasingly incapable of not taking everything literally.

betterwhenthesunshines - both comments are based on gender generalisations - the difference is women (in general) have been subjugated for centuries and denied the same rights as men.

Most people don't really believe that men are not as brainy as women but unfortunately many would still believe that housework is a woman's responsibility (even if they would not admit it - otherwise why is the lion's share of housework still carried out by women).

Men cannot experience sexism in the same way that women can in the same way that white people cannot experience racism in the same way as black people - there is not the weight of history and current social and economic factors behind it.

Again what would people say if the label was a racist "joke" rather than a one?

When my DH plumbed in the washing machine, he said I wasn't allowed to use it until I read the instruction booklet. I never did read the instruction booklet, so he's in charge of the washing now!

I agree SinicalSanta - not funny even in a satirical way - just tiresome and cliched

Free advertising. Lets get our items talked about. Whats the best way to do it? By upsetting 50% of the population thats how. I'm sure they don't really believe it.

But if a man is reading the washing intructions, he's doing his own washing anyway.

And if a woman is checking the washing instructions, then she's doing the washing anyway.

It's just someone trying to make a joke out of a boring job! Life would be very very dull if people stopped trying to be funny.
(the bit I don't like is the 'your' woman bit, but I'm guessing that's just there to emphasize the ridiculous nature of it.

I don't know about that LookAt I haven't absorbed what brand of trousers they are, for one, so it's pretty shit advertising

Luji

It's the YOUR woman and HER job I find offensive.

If it said "or ask a woman" I'd smile, taking it to mean at least women can read instructions.

But as written, it is not funny just patronising and I hate to miserable because I'm usually on the other side of the argument.

I think thats quite funny! still never going to shop in a place called madhouse though

Good marketing, innit.

Startail - I think you've put your finger on it about the nuances of the wording but I suppose they didn't have the best copywriters working on this!

Um ...
Don't men do washing?
They do in our house.
My dad did while I was growing up.
My grandfather did.
My FIL does.
It ain't rocket science.

It's a joke!

Absolutely startail but why do you find it miserable to be on this side of the argument? It does not mean you don't have a sense of humour. In fact it probably shows you have a more sophisticated sense of humour ;)

Not sure about the brand but the shop is Madhouse (I think). Anyway, Its a label hidden inside an item of clothing. I've seen far worse guff proudly emblazoned across blokes (and womens) chests tbh.

Heres the thing though - it dawned on my last week, that after 20 years together, my partner has never done a single wash, that must be the case because after he so gallantly unblocked he filter he said he would run a wash to test it. Fine. I went to have a bath - five minutes later he shouts up the stairs "Err, where do i put the washing powder"

It doesn't bother me, i quite like the fact that the washing is my job, it means i can leave cleaning the bathroom to DP and all the shitty jobs i dont like to do - i always start with the washing, its the easiest - IF you're a woman that is

I think it's funny too. Too many people are looking for things to get worked up over IMO.

Well it made me laugh!

It's like the George at Asda shirt my DS had

The instructions said 40 degree wash, cool iron, fold neatly, throw on bedroom floor

I used to work in the Madhouse HO and knowing the way the company runs they probably didn't even notice it! Bet they are lapping up the free publicity now thou!

Anyone guessing how this thread it going to go? sigh

You know I'd never heard of the brand before. I have now.

So its a successful marketing campaign and everyone who jumps up at down at it is playing the game and helping them. But I bet the majority of people who will do exactly that on this thread, won't understand that.

I wonder if they hired an ex-Ryanair PR guy.

Thats absolutely hilarious

You are definitely not silly.