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Original poster

Is this sexism and can i complain?

200 replies

Tiscold · 15/01/2019 18:46

Ok, me and my partner (male) wanted to relive a bit of our youth and go clubbing / night out yesterday as generally there's really good discounts on sundays and its a bit more relaxed.

So we approach a club and theres one line for both sexes but females have to go to the left once they reach the front and show ID to a female bouncer and males to the right and male bouncer. No issue so far.

This club charges an entry free "to help manage the crowds and improve the experience plus to absorb the costs of people not drinking and just coming and dancing after getting drunk at home" . I'm asked to pay £2.50 entry free and enter, my partner comes in and is grumbling that on a cheap night they've charged him a fiver for just entry.

Now surely that isn't right and is sex discrimination? They're charging more for men to enter then females even though we both use the same service. Am i being petty to complain and idk report them to somewhere or should i just get over it?

OP posts:
Original poster
Tiscold · 15/01/2019 20:51

I know it's fairly small scale and maybe am a over reacting a bit, but it does piss me off that this sexism is shoved under the carpet and I'm getting mocked for it.

OP posts:
randomchap · 15/01/2019 20:54

It's sexist and illegal. The equality act 2010 says you can't be discriminated against because of protected characteristics such as race, disability, sex, sexual orientation, age and religion.

If you wish to complain then the equality advice service may be of help. www.equalityadvisoryservice.com

I doubt complaining would help. I'd just not go to that club again.

Original poster
Tiscold · 15/01/2019 20:54

Instead of women paying more why don't the men get to pay less Confused

Did i ever suggest that those things happen? All i said was why is there a different charge for seperate sexes?

Would it be ok of it is the other way round

OP posts:
GerryblewuptheER · 15/01/2019 20:54

But it's not car insurance Confused

If it's to attract more women then why weren't the women going in the first place? Does the club have a rep for being full of slime balls?

Is the club full if women and they are basically selling the " attraction" at inflated rates because they know the men will pay?

Original poster
Tiscold · 15/01/2019 20:57

Not a clue about the club, never been before and won't be going again

OP posts:
donquixotedelamancha · 15/01/2019 20:58

It’s not sexism, it’s marketing.

Indeed, marketing is renowned as the most ethical of professions- it's inconceivable that something to do with advertising could be sexist.

Surely that's sex discrimination?

Of course it is. The question is whether it is unlawful discrimination. Companies can discriminate against protected classes (of which sex is one) if they can show that it is reasonable.

For example- it's fine to have a women only swimming night once a week, to encourage a particular group of women who may have cultural concerns about modesty.

Given that the examples of acceptable discrimination produced by the government all require that level of valid necessity I would guess that it wouldn't be lawful. If you are going to bother complaining, do so to an organisation that actually has some clout (EHRC or trading standards perhaps?)

TeeJay1970 · 15/01/2019 21:01

Interestingly, there are two threads on AIBU tonight that both ask if something is sexist.

In both cases it's about money and in both cases it's small amounts.

In one case men benefit and in the other women benefit.

Guess which one say is not an issue and which one is an issue?

Funny that...

Original poster
Tiscold · 15/01/2019 21:01

So you think it's unlawful then?

OP posts:
Original poster
Tiscold · 15/01/2019 21:01

Ooh what is the other thread? And maybe link them here Grin

OP posts:
worridmum · 15/01/2019 21:07

Apprently we should be happy with sexism so long as in benifets us yet we should complain vigorously if it disadvantages us massively?

For example health insurance companies are NOT allowed to charge woman more for health insurance even though it is a PROVEN fact woman do in fact cost insurance companies more (aka they have period problems + birth related experiences).

Yet men were expected to suck up the SEXIST pricing of car insurance simply because they have a penis yet woman should NOT have to do the same. It cannot be one rule for one group and another for another group.

Sexism is wrong no matter whom it benefits.

AmIthatbloodycold · 15/01/2019 21:07

Can't believe some of the responses

Of course it's sexist. I would complain, although not expecting it would do much good.

The cheaper price is a marketing ploy to attract women. That's insulting as well as sexist

Original poster
Tiscold · 15/01/2019 21:09

I have found my people, it's now equal that I'm not being unreasonable Grin.

Yes bit shocked that hey it benefits us so it's ok. So should all men have that attitide against us then?

OP posts:
GerryblewuptheER · 15/01/2019 21:12

I don't think it benefits us..

Just means the men potentially feel more entitled to "get some action" or "admire the view" because they paid extra .

Would make me feel kinda dirty tbh

Original poster
Tiscold · 15/01/2019 21:13

It beenfits us as it's cheaper.

But yes it feels a bit sickly doesn't it, lets get these women in, so that more men come and hopefully then we have enough females in for the men to hook up with and get enough action to have a good night

OP posts:
jessstan2 · 15/01/2019 21:13

Quite normal for girls to be charged less or not charged at all for entry to clubs. Has always been so.

Walkingdeadfangirl · 15/01/2019 21:14

Instead of women paying more why don't the men get to pay less

LMFAO, that's not how businesses work.

Original poster
Tiscold · 15/01/2019 21:16

But why is the sexism ok then? Just because something has happened a long time doesn't make it acceptable.

Sexism against women has been gooing on a long time so is that ok?

OP posts:
worridmum · 15/01/2019 21:17

Woman have been paid less and has always been so. So we not stop getting our knickers in a twist about unequal pay right since it has always been so?

CosmicComet · 15/01/2019 21:17

It is sexist and illegal. You can report them to EHRC as others have said. Imo this is a wider issue and EHRC should really be looking into it.

NothingOnTellyAgain · 15/01/2019 21:18

The reason 'ladies' went free (or in your case half price) was as a lure to men.

Which is also sexist.

So it's a lose lose. Paying 2.50 less in order to be an attraction to get men in the door is pretty grim.

However, differential pricing is probably illegal now. I think your first port of call would be the council as they will licence them and say they have to stick to law.

worridmum · 15/01/2019 21:19

*So we should stop.

(God damn it MumsHQ please please get a edit function as if i make a mistake its there forever and make me look stupid even though its my dyslexia).

NothingOnTellyAgain · 15/01/2019 21:20

The interesting thing about ladies free is that it is a very highly questionable benefit given the thinking behind it.

Still, first stop council I reckon.

You could try the local papers get a story going.

donquixotedelamancha · 15/01/2019 21:21

So you think it's unlawful then?

Personally, yes; but IANAL. Many things are unlawful- but can it be changed?

I'd have thought a letter from someone like trading standards or EHRC (and I'm sure you could find a few more organisations) would have a good chance of changing practice for not too much expenditure of effort. Sadly these organisations might be too busy to even respond, or the club might ignore them- but a bit of research and a few emails wouldn't take up too much of your time.

donquixotedelamancha · 15/01/2019 21:21

I think your first port of call would be the council as they will licence them and say they have to stick to law.

A good suggestion.