Re-enforcing Stereotypes

by Court on February 23, 2004    |    2 Comments »


Although I’m all for women’s travel sites, ones like this one make me mad. Although I think their hearts are in the right place, I find a few of the things they write about very distressing. The travel tips for women seem to re-enforce the ideas that females need constant protection, such as this line:
“Ask the concierge to book your restaurants and say “please take care of her, she is coming alone and will need a taxi home.”
Their recommendations on what to pack is also a bit of a laugh: for a two week leisure trip a woman should take, among other things, 3 pairs colored pantyhose, one rubber door stop for great security, and a few bargaining chips for Third World countries: cheap lipsticks, plastic sunglasses, T shirts with your city name, anything electronic, barrettes and hair accessories, old jewelry worth under $50.
I don’t know how these women would ever have the opportunity to barter in the third world: all of their tour nights are spent in four or five star hotels .
Maybe I’m just bitter because you have to pay to join their club.


Comments


Mary
February 24, 2004
 
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I’m with you, Court. On the other hand, there are women of varying differences and preferences who travel, and this website sounds attractive to the women who have some wealth, want to be delicately treated, but like to feel they are getting a bargain.

Nothing wrong with that - just not appealing to me.

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escapeartist
February 27, 2004
 
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At first it was a bit funny, then it was just plain offensive! By the way, just exactly how much luggage are these ladies bringing??! Really, the article entitled “Self as a Souvenir” was appalling, making pseudo-stereotypical comments — such as implying that it was too daunting for women to think of having to calculate a tip in Irish Sterling! Grrr. Makes my blood boil. HOW upper crust and pampered must you be to have this be applicable to you? Wow Court, thanks for the reality check!

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