tech.gadgets.video.geekculture.gaming.kittens.
Pink is the new STFU
You know what pisses me off? Getting a PR email from one of my favorite online retailers showcasing a buyers guide for “great gift ideas to pamper the women in your life,” including a pots and pans set, a hair dryer, and tons of gadgets in hot pink.
And…
Thanks, Newegg. You sure know how to make women feel special!
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| Print article | This entry was posted by Veronica on October 20, 2009 at 1:36 pm, and is filed under babble, internet. Follow any responses to this post through RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback from your own site. |
about 10 months ago
Veronica – “Oh Grant Grant Grant… but surely not ALL women like to do is cook and use pink gadgets? This list is boring, unimaginative and trite.”
What did you expect from a company that specializes in “Computer Parts, PC Components, Laptop Computers Digital Cameras and more!”
I see 6 products that a father could potentially buy for a daughter ages 8-21). Don’t forget the “great gift ideas to pamper the women in your life” is directly to a large male demo.
about 10 months ago
Complain all you want, but they just got a whole boatload of free PR, and while most of it was negative, I didn’t see a hint of “I’m not shopping at NewEgg anymore!” and guess who just spent another 30 minutes etching their name into everyone’s cerebellums.
Kudos to the marketing group at NewEgg.
about 10 months ago
I’m not sure what I, as a tech/gamer ‘girl,’ am supposed to be indignant about here. They have pots and pans, a juicer, sure–but they also have a computer, a thumb drive, a camera, a DSi….
Because they’re pink? So? I happen to like pink. Would I personally ever buy any of these things? Maybe. I like the DSi’s color.
Bottom line, some women like to cook, some like to play games, some like to take pictures–wow, look, this list has something for each one of them! I’m sure they all come in colors other than pink. In fact, I know the DSi and camera do. What’s the big deal?
about 10 months ago
Dora, I guess I’m just jaded. After years of getting these lists, I’m disappointed that a retailer like NewEgg (who frankly, I would expect to understand female geeks a little more than a Best Buy) would have so little originality in their buyer’s guides.
about 10 months ago
The fact that my wife does not like Pink anyway is not even a factor here. What husband in his right mind would buy his wife a hair dryer? I mean were they all out of pink vacuum cleaners?
Where is the pink ruby and diamond ring? Now we are talking!
about 10 months ago
Pink is soooo 2006 this year.
And my wife hates the color pink.
about 10 months ago
As a faggot and homemaker, I must say that I am very excited by these products. Maybe “the women in your life” is Newegg’s euphemism for your hairdresser?
about 10 months ago
My hairdresser is a punk rock vegan chick, so once again they are not hitting the mark! NEWEGG WTF!!
about 10 months ago
Marketing to women = make shit pink.
about 10 months ago
From Popular Science: http://www.popsci.com/scitech/gallery/2009-09/science-confirms-obvious
Image 4 in the gallery: Girls Like Pink
“Biological Components of Sex Differences in Color Preference,” Current Biology, August 2007
- Popsci says:
“It turns out that while blue and green hues have universal appeal, men hate pink, and women love it. ”
- Summary of the paper says:
“Here we report a robust, cross-cultural sex difference in color preference,”
You can mock Newegg for not being creative, or for using hyperbole, but you can’t say they’re wrong. Science tells us a significant number of women like the color pink. It’s not because of Barbie, or American culture in general, it just is. As with all gender differences, there are exceptions, but the idea that women like pink is not an unfounded stereotype.
about 10 months ago
Remember Funny Face
The Pink Number: Kay Thompson’s true STFU feelings about pink she is pushing on magazine cover: 5:07
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jmaffpKAYcw
about 10 months ago
Pink isn’t so bad, depending on context.
Reminds me of the great 80′s band “Kissing the Pink” and the tune “Other Side of Heaven”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PVpu3VUW7zg
about 10 months ago
But nothing beats Elvis Costello’s “Veronica”!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2k4ZXzhwCkM
about 10 months ago
Veronica,
First, I’ll admit to having a strong affinity for smart, sassy, charming women, geek or otherwise. It was a pleasure to see you look askance, as well you should have, at a cleverly disguised -snail- masquerading as food!
If its’ possible to digress in an a first paragraph, I guess I’ve done so.
Ahem, about that pink.
I know more than a few women, some as smart as you are, who have lots of pink stuff. One even has a Snoopy doll in her car. She also has a Phd, knows more about her subject than almost everybody, is one of the smartest people I know, and is gorgeous too. Yup, she’s a girlie girl, and sweet, charming and fierce. No wonder I like her.
As for NewEgg, you didn’t really expect better than that did you? Don’t forget what a bubble we live in here in the Bay Area; and within the SF geek culture, there is a plethora of geek and non-geek sub-bubbles. You’re not in Kansas any more; and there are more of them (mainstreamers) than there are of us; hard as it is to believe from within the bubble.
Hm, I think I digressed again. Since you so humorously brought our attention to the NewEgg marketing (you can opt-out, yes?), why not get in touch with them and help them develop a true geek-girl (person’s?) gift list? Marketing opportunity for you, VB’s top 10 Geek Girl Gifts!! (send royalties to me
.
I’m starting a new movement: If you have something to gripe about, do something about it. Don’t just take to the We and complain. At minimum, offer a positive alternative to what you’re complaining about.
about 9 months ago
Irony alert!
Your website has girly colors (including pink) everywhere!