..to think a Body Shop stall at a baby group is exploitative?

[PurdeyBirdie]

I'm a new member at a baby and toddler group and on their fb page yesterday a mum posted to say she would be setting up her Body Shop stall for 'all the mummies to take advantage of the massive 30% sale which finishes Saturday. I can also tell you more about how easy it is to earn a bit of extra money yourself (on average about £250 a month), and all the benefit of hosting your own Body Shop party.'

I commented that I thought it was inappropriate to flog yet more stuff at new mums who assemble at baby groups to engage with their babies and make friends. I was told that the group is happy to support new businesses for mums and I should basically shut my gob (that was from one young mum). I asked if there was a line to be drawn: would hairdressers be able to set up a chair? A spray tan booth? Nail bar? The answer was: 'Barring health and safety issues I don't see why not. We are all about supporting new mums with any ventures to better the lives of themselves and their kids'.

Another mum popped on to say that her bread company took off massively after she began selling it to this group and she would be forever grateful, blah, blah..she went on to say 'After seven years on the baby circuit I find it can all get a bit 'yawn'. Bring on the Body Shop stall, I say!' I said there was a difference between selling home made wares (perhaps for charity or to raise funds for the group) and flogging beauty products from a massive organisation like Body Shop.

In response to this another mum came on to say: 'The body shop although a massive organisation has excellent ethics and stays true to those ethics and original beliefs. The company also does a lot for charity and environmental issues around the world, help one mum.... Help the world!'

Am I being an unsisterly turd? Do I have a point at all? I'm just uncomfortable with the notion that anyone can set up business at a baby group and target assembled women who simply want to make friends and play with their babies.

[Bowlersarm]

I think you sound very precious about it as well.

1. you aren't obliged to browse, buy or go anywhere near the stall 2) other people actually might want to, and you are sticking your oar in and trying to prevent them having the ability to browse and shop at the same time as attending a baby group, v easy way to shop with no faffing about.

[QuintlessShadows]

I think you are projecting.


You have no idea if these women feel bad about themselves, if they regard the changes to their bodies as a natural part of womanhood, life and nurture, or if they feel upset about stretchmarks, a couple of extra kgs, or not. In any event, some moisturizer is not a bad thing.

She is just a mum making a living, she is not epitomizing the beauty industry.


I would think you incredibly disingenuous and a big hypocrite, if you own any moisturizer or indeed any beauty product, if you should try deprive other women of the same.

[PurdeyBirdie]

Wouldn't I be seen as even more 'hard work' and 'imperious' if I mentioned the Nestlé link? I've only been to five groups

[Nomama]

Nice drip feed too, new member who has been going for a year!!!!!

And I am sure that those poor, ill educated, clueless women will thank your efforts on their behalf.

[Only1scoop]

Maybe just mention it to the 'eager beaver wittering from her stall'....if it makes you feel better.

[QuintlessShadows]

Are you also boycoting Waitrose or Boots for selling beauty essentials, shower gel and creams?

Are they not exploiting their customers need or want for whatever they come here for?

If you are a paying members, are you not exploited by the organizers, for having a need for adult company and companionship weekly?

[PurdeyBirdie]

That link is astonishing, by-the-way. Thanks for posting it.

[Honeydragon]

Having a baby does not make you devoid of common sense

[Honeydragon]

Oh and you've got a real shock coming when your baby gets to school if you think your being exploited now

[PurdeyBirdie]

I'm not projecting. I look fabulous. Besides which, Body Shop make-up remover is shite.

[Nomama]

New member ... A year ... 5 groups ...

As a long term Nestle boycotter I know about the Body Shop link, most who avoid Nestle do keep up to date with their who's who.

But yes, to bring up Nestle via Body Shop would be odd...

[seaoflove]

I think you need to get off your high horse, OP.

You're under no obligation to buy.

There used to be a woman (not a mum) coming to one of my baby groups to flog Phoenix Cards. I didn't buy any. I also guarantee that you'll come across photographers coming in to take portraits and flog photo packages.

It happens. You're sitting targets, quite literally. Buy if you want, don't if you don't.

[QuintlessShadows]

Ok, so i you are looking fab and not projecting, I can only assume you think the other group members have reason to be insecure about their looks.

[PurdeyBirdie]

Joking aside, I think baby groups should be the last bastion of safe havens where mums can just go and relax without being flogged stuff.

[PurdeyBirdie]

Where did I say I've been going to the group for a year? It was in error if I did. I have been to five groups and I'm a member of their closed fb group.

[Mintyy]

Still wholeheartedly agree with you op .

[PurdeyBirdie]

The other mums all looked fab to me. I just know how unlovely new mums can feel. Lobbing beauty products at them by the Body Shop just feels wrong. Go and test your selling potential somewhere else.

[Only1scoop]

Just thank your lucky stars it's not that Aloe Vera indoctrination on a stall....seems to turn sane folk into Pyramid selling monsters....

[Bowlersarm]

I think baby groups.......without being flogged stuff

Yes op clearly that's your opinion, but you are actively trying to stop other mums have the opportunity to buy 'stuff' should they want to. I wouldn't have wanted you to take that decision for me

[YoullLikeItNotaLot]

When my children were younger, I'd have loved something like this. A shop coming to me? Got yo be better than steering a toddler & baby in a pushchair round a city centre shop?

I'd be wondering if they could get h&m to bring a few lines, schuh to bring a few pairs.

I like the thought of a chat, a brew, a play and being able to pick up a few bits for myself.

[PurdeyBirdie]

Thanks, Mintyy! I've a good mind to go and set up a 'How To Get Your Sex Life Back After Squeezing Out A Tot' demo

[Blueblueblueblue]

This is quite common though. My baby group used to have Phoenix cards, craft jewellery stalls, masseurs, children's hairdressers, nail technicians and photographers came along to the group occasionally. Some I bought from, some I didn't.

It's only exploitative if you are told you must buy something.

I would suggest that it would have been more prudent to actually see how the stall operates during the group session and then give feedback to the committee.

Our group usually took a % or donation from any business who made money at the group therefore adding to group funds.

I'm quite amused that you announced to the whole group that you were boycotting that meeting. I bet they'll be thrilled to see you next time.


Ps be careful with this kind of thing. I was on the committee for a well established group and a new member joined and started shouting the odds about how much everything needed changing. She ended up trying to oust the Committee Chair from her post. She was rather disappointed to be firmly out in her place and flounced off. If it is a well established group you can't barge in and remake it in your own image. If you like the group polite queries would be the way to go and it doesn't really sound like you were polite on FB.

[engeika]

I think you are right to feel how you feel - and I wouldn't like it. ( I hate being sold to), but I also see the other side , (the chance to grow a small business, something new and different every so often to alleviate the endless baby-chat).

If it isn't the right group for you I'd leave and find one that you prefer. ( Take the numbers of the women that you'd like to see again).

You said something about a thing you felt strongly about - whether you were right or wrong - they mostly didn't agree, ( but see what happens at the next meeting), now forget it.

[Bowlersarm]

Exactly YoullLikeIt.

[FuckOffGroundhog]

Well Body Shop sell "whitening creams" in other countries..so I'not super sure about their excellent ethical record. And it's owned by L'oreal..so again. Not really.

But I really can't be bothered to seel bullshit to people or be sold bull shit by other people especially there annoying pyramid schemes where you have to sell shit under them. Get a different play group