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AIBU?

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Original poster

Ridiculously high heels - Apprentice Final Four

427 replies

axolotlfloof · 18/03/2022 22:28

Just watching this week's episode.
Really pleased to see 4 women in the final, but why the heels?
Even Karen is wearing them.
They are bad for your feet, balance and just ridiculous.
My Mum's feet were destroyed by heels in the 60s, and I prioritise walking over heels.
Aibu?

OP posts:
Thread gallery
5
MrsLargeEmbodied · 19/03/2022 09:39

i tend to think cabin crew are waitresses

fairylightsandwaxmelts · 19/03/2022 09:40

@ZaZathecat

I do not believe for one minute that the contestants are wearing what they like. What an amazing coincidence if every female candidate ever favours massive high stilettos and a brightly coloured pencil dress.

The contestants are obviously told what to wear. Just look at the scene where the fired candidate goes off in a taxi - always in a big coat and scarf, regardless of the weather, presumably to give to impression of being 'out in the cold'.

Honestly, how many career women do you really see dressed like that, in London at least.

The scarf and coat thing is to hide their outfits.

They film all the firing scenes all at once.

Iamthewombat · 19/03/2022 09:43

@Jobsharenightmare

I don't know anyone who regularly wears heels. Maybe it's the circles you keep too?
Hahahahaha

Love it. I only see people wearing heels because I hang out with cheap-looking people, or junior admin assistants. Not with the cognoscenti like you.

I do live in Manchester though. That must drag my social standing down a few notches, eh?

Although I haven’t drawn attention to your spelling mistake, which I think is rather classy of me. Heels and all.

sydenhamhiller · 19/03/2022 09:43

@Jaffapaffa

I've been told today that I have to teach my class (Y8) that heels are part of a work wardrobe for women, and that if you want to succeed, it's essential to wear them.

I've objected several times, but have been told that it's not optional.

I'm really not comfortable with this at all.

But yes, apparently there's still a school of thought that says women must wear heels to be successful - hence their appearance in The Apprentice, I suppose.

Oh my goodness! I am a teacher, and I think I would say ‘I’ve been instructed to tell you x, but someone people think ‘y’, what do you guys think?
aWolfinSheepsclothing · 19/03/2022 09:44

@MrsLargeEmbodied

i tend to think cabin crew are waitresses
Would that just be female cabin crew?

The job of cabin crew is not one I’d want, having responsibility for hundreds of people should anything go wrong in the air, hardly just serving food and drinks.

Quincythequince · 19/03/2022 09:45

@axolotlfloof

Heels do damage feet - it's a fact. Sorry if you don't like it.
Not a fact.

Depends on how long you wear them for, how high the heel, your basic muscle structure/function etc

Sorry if you don’t like that.

Again, not your business what other people wear.

EthelTheAardvark · 19/03/2022 09:45

@Jaffapaffa

I've been told today that I have to teach my class (Y8) that heels are part of a work wardrobe for women, and that if you want to succeed, it's essential to wear them.

I've objected several times, but have been told that it's not optional.

I'm really not comfortable with this at all.

But yes, apparently there's still a school of thought that says women must wear heels to be successful - hence their appearance in The Apprentice, I suppose.

Who on earth is telling you this? What do they know about the real world? I work in a profession where it is perfectly possible for women to earn extremely high salaries, and the ones who do certainly don't go in for high heels, let alone tight dresses and masses of make-up. If anything it would be really dent their credibility if they did.

I suggest you tell your department head or whoever it is to get back to the 90s.

spidersenses · 19/03/2022 09:46

@Jaffapaffa

I've been told today that I have to teach my class (Y8) that heels are part of a work wardrobe for women, and that if you want to succeed, it's essential to wear them.

I've objected several times, but have been told that it's not optional.

I'm really not comfortable with this at all.

But yes, apparently there's still a school of thought that says women must wear heels to be successful - hence their appearance in The Apprentice, I suppose.

Wow! And you're in the UK? I sit on a leadership team and am a department head. I'm the only female on the leadership team of around 8 men. High heels have abs will never appear on my feet in a working environment.

Many offices are also much more casual these days. I wear smart flat boots or trainers (not sports ones).

EthelTheAardvark · 19/03/2022 09:47

Although I haven’t drawn attention to your spelling mistake, which I think is rather classy of me. Heels and all.

Um, you just did, @Iamthewombat?

sydenhamhiller · 19/03/2022 09:47

*some not someone. Fat thumbs 😉

wellstopdoingitthen · 19/03/2022 09:47

@Jaffapaffa

Unfortunately yes, I teach in the UK.

And it's female staff (non heel wearers) who have decided that this is non negotiable.

I despair, I really do.

This isn't what I want young people to think.

It would be interesting to hear what the opinions of your students are on heels being 'essential ' at work. If it was me I'd introduce the topic as ...'it's been said that women need to wear high heels in order to succeed in their careers.... discuss' I'd love to hear back.
Original poster
axolotlfloof · 19/03/2022 09:48

Would you argue smoking doesn't damage lungs because it depends on long you smoke for, how high the tar is, your basic lung function etc?

Or would you agree that smoking is bad for lung health?

People can smoke or wear high heels, but I don't have to agree that it is healthy or desirable.

OP posts:
CounsellorTroi · 19/03/2022 09:49

Why do these ridiculous gender stereotypes still hold so much sway?

EthelTheAardvark · 19/03/2022 09:50

@Theluggage15

No one thinks wearing heels are a way to get on in business. Just a few ridiculous people on here who get weirdly angry seeing women wearing them. And again for those who seem confused, it’s an ENTERTAINMENT show, not careers advice. And stop with the patronising heels are bad and impractical message. I think women can be allowed to buy the shoes they like without your advice.
But how do you know these candidates actually like these shoes, as opposed to feeling they have to wear them?
Datada · 19/03/2022 09:51

A 40 hour week in heels, no. A quick 10 steps from car to bar, for fun occasionally, why not.

Iamthewombat · 19/03/2022 09:51

@axolotlfloof

Would you argue smoking doesn't damage lungs because it depends on long you smoke for, how high the tar is, your basic lung function etc?

Or would you agree that smoking is bad for lung health?

People can smoke or wear high heels, but I don't have to agree that it is healthy or desirable.

I love that you are now pretending that your sole intent in starting this thread was to spread a message of concern for the health of women’s feet.
Datada · 19/03/2022 09:52

The heels are on TV because its TV!

Iamthewombat · 19/03/2022 09:52

@EthelTheAardvark

Although I haven’t drawn attention to your spelling mistake, which I think is rather classy of me. Heels and all.

Um, you just did, @Iamthewombat?

That’s irony, love. Perhaps you overlooked it because I am an avowed wearer of heels.
Original poster
axolotlfloof · 19/03/2022 09:56

@Iamthewombat
Here is my OP
Just watching this week's episode.
Really pleased to see 4 women in the final, but why the heels?
Even Karen is wearing them.
They are bad for your feet, balance and just ridiculous.
My Mum's feet were destroyed by heels in the 60s, and I prioritise walking over heels.
Aibu?
You think Iabu.
I think women don't need to dress like that and it's bad for feet.
It's all in my OP so I don't know what your argument is.

OP posts:
Justkeeppedaling · 19/03/2022 09:57

I've been told today that I have to teach my class (Y8) that heels are part of a work wardrobe for women, and that if you want to succeed, it's essential to wear them

Where are you, and who told you?
I'd say that was sex discrimination - presumably you're not telling boys they have to wear heels?

a) that statement is not true
b) heels damage the feet
c) it's discriminatory

I would refuse, or just not do it, and see what happens. There's no way the school would win that argument.

Quincythequince · 19/03/2022 09:57

This reply has been deleted

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22woo · 19/03/2022 09:57

As if anybody would invest in these business plans. Lord Sugar is making a mockery of himself. As far as I can make out - one wants to sell matching pyjamas for the family; one wants to expand her cake shop / cafe business and one wants to sell vodka with protein powder in it? Confused

As for the clothes, there is clearly a wardrobe department for the dhow and they can choose outfit from there. Once one has give for the bright fix his body con dress and stilettos, I can see how the others might feel they need to mirror “the look.” But to me it looks very 1980s. The producers must think it helps the ratings, or something like that. They always choose several quite mad contestants as well, so it’s less boring.

Peasock · 19/03/2022 10:00

@CeeceeBloomingdale

A look has certainly evolved over time. I was more inspired by Ruth Badger as I looked to her skills rather than her wardrobe. Now it's the Roland Mouret clone look. I like individuality and now the contestants do little to make themselves stand out which is odd when they're trying to he noticed. I'm sure some would perform better in tasks if they could actually walk. However, it's much better to save the heels for the boardroom and interviews where at least they can sit down.
Perhaps question why you focus on appearance so much when forming an opinion about someone's capability? I agree Ruth was a fantastic contestant, so I'm not saying she wasn't because of what she was wearing, just like its odd you focus on someone's clothes rather than ability if they wear a dress and heels.
EthelTheAardvark · 19/03/2022 10:02

@Iamthewombat, at the point I posted I had no idea whether you wore heels or not.

Is there any need to use quite such an unpleasant tone?

Piggy666 · 19/03/2022 10:03

My 29 yr old DD roars with laughter at The Apprentice, the time frame in the morning etc
We were wondering about the 'dress code' as they all looked really uncomfortable
And as for that odious little turd Lord Sugar...well...🤷‍♀️