On "Booth Babes" and perceptions... (Full Version)

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MercTech -> On "Booth Babes" and perceptions... (4/6/2015 12:31:17 PM)

The misogynistic bedrock of Silicone Valley has been under assault for several years. A lot of the large high tech product conventions are now banning "booth babes".
re: http://www.capsulecomputers.com.au/wp-content/gallery/e3-2011-booth-babes/E3%20Booth%20Babes%202011%20-%20046.JPG
Way back in the day (and I'm talking way back, S100 bus computer days) some of the booths started hiring models to draw the attention of the geeky guys at the convention. It started as a way to have your tech booth stand out among the see of other tech peddling companies.
One thing I learned then was to "look for the tennis shoes or bare feet". Among all the booth babes you would see the guy in tennis shoes or the woman in business attire walking in stocking feet. These were the ones to talk to. Worker drones kept their shined wing tips on. And booth babes had the obligatory spike heels. The owners and corporate execs could get away with more comfortable feet.

Win or lose, the court case about sexual discrimination has had an effect on tech companies.
http://www.cnet.com/news/ellen-pao-considering-appeal-of-her-sex-discrimination-case-vs-kleiner-perkins/?tag=nl.e703&s_cid=e703&ttag=e703&ftag=CAD090e536

And there is a push back against feminine pulchritude used as a marketing tactic.
http://www.cnet.com/news/scantily-clad-booth-babes-at-tech-trade-shows-get-wardrobe-check/
http://www.reaxxion.com/6150/booth-babes-and-sexy-cosplayers-are-in-danger-of-being-completely-banned-from-events

But, the perception of a woman knowing high tech is not perceived as the norm.
http://www.cnet.com/news/i-am-not-a-booth-babe-ask-me-a-question/?tag=nl.e703&s_cid=e703&ttag=e703&ftag=CAD090e536

Ok, exposition of background to the question done, moving on.

Does qualifying as "eye candy" hamper being perceived as competent?



MalcolmNathaniel -> RE: On "Booth Babes" and perceptions... (4/6/2015 2:24:43 PM)

First off let me state that I am flatly against anyone, ANYONE, limiting how many pretty girls are allowed in a certain space and that includes fire-inspectors.

Now I shall read your links and comment shortly thereafter.



DerangedUnit -> RE: On "Booth Babes" and perceptions... (4/6/2015 5:36:03 PM)

I've worked as both a "booth babe" and as a (well multi purpose but the job title was....) talent scout for a porn/ meet up site(no not that type of multipurpose) so I was required to go to all the port conventions in la, hire the booth girls,make their outfits, tell them where to stand and what to shake...

When the product is distraction is think distracting people is expected... but even at PORN conventions, people would ask me about the site more than leer, even laying across car hoods people ask about the car more than stare.... so the need for 'I'm not one of them buttons' ridiculous.... seriously is would have preferred cat calls to being asked about a car I knew nothing about... I can't imagine where those people are coming from.

But then I've only been to one tech(well programming... open source) convention, it was I've Ohio not California and I'm pretty sure I was the only female there(as a patron not working) and not one person other than the friend I went with said a word to me the entire time I was there... so maybe it's just that people that go to those conventions are shy not that they think they are booth girls.



Domnotlooking -> RE: On "Booth Babes" and perceptions... (4/6/2015 6:59:35 PM)

Man, this is just too obtuse to parse out.

Don't people just intuitively get that the woman working the booth is just a hottie there for the day? Booth babe faux-outrage is the most comical non-problem I can think of.

As to shoe-gazing to suss out the pecking order, that too seems kind of pointless. A guy with shined shoes is a "drone"? Sounds a little insecure/hateful to me.

Why not just pick up your free mouse pad from the booth and not over-invest emotionally?



shiftyw -> RE: On "Booth Babes" and perceptions... (4/6/2015 7:07:19 PM)

My tits OFTEN make me seem "less competent" and "more bimbo-y"

often.

Its also really hard to find flattering business attire that doesn't look "cheap porn-y" on me.

personally- I could give a shit about booth babes though.



Domnotlooking -> RE: On "Booth Babes" and perceptions... (4/6/2015 7:21:40 PM)

Hey, respect you, respect those giant tits, huh?

Seems fair to me.



Spiritedsub2 -> RE: On "Booth Babes" and perceptions... (4/6/2015 8:00:41 PM)

-fr
Booth babes gotta earn a living too. What's wrong with it? I made my living for a dozen years tending bar, sort of a booze booth babe. Now I'm respectable. Those were good times :)



MercTech -> RE: On "Booth Babes" and perceptions... (4/7/2015 9:13:46 AM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: Domnotlooking

Man, this is just too obtuse to parse out.

Don't people just intuitively get that the woman working the booth is just a hottie there for the day? Booth babe faux-outrage is the most comical non-problem I can think of.

As to shoe-gazing to suss out the pecking order, that too seems kind of pointless. A guy with shined shoes is a "drone"? Sounds a little insecure/hateful to me.

Why not just pick up your free mouse pad from the booth and not over-invest emotionally?


Naaa, just experience. Only the top of the pecking order can opt for comfort over perception. And, only the top dogs can really cut deals.



Svale -> RE: On "Booth Babes" and perceptions... (4/7/2015 10:46:12 AM)

Yes, in as much as the eye candy seems to be hired for its eye-candyness rather than knowledge.



MalcolmNathaniel -> RE: On "Booth Babes" and perceptions... (4/7/2015 11:11:40 AM)

So the real issue here is that people are complaining about scantily clad women. The feel it's demeaning to women.

However over the last century or so women have been fighting for the right to wear whatever they want. Your perception of a woman's competence based on how she looks is just that, "Your Perception."

Or should we go back to this:Link It's time for grownups to act like grownups.



thompsonx -> RE: On "Booth Babes" and perceptions... (4/9/2015 4:07:49 PM)

I have nothing to do and lots of time to do it in. Going to conventions in las vegas is one of the things I do to pass the time.
Learing at booth babes and collecting swag are only a couple of the distractions at a trade show.
A modest size show (500 vendors) there will usually be a half dozen with an espresso bar. Usually about one o'clock many will open up free alcohol bar. Cheap thrills for old guys.



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