That's Sexist!

How Victoria's Secrets Takes Advantage of Men's Weaknesses

A former Victoria's Secret employee told us that workers at her Chicago-area store were trained to treat male customers differently from female ones.

"The general feeling about men is that they would buy anything in order to get out of the store as quickly as possible," the worker, who wished to remain anonymous, told us. "That means they would spend more money."

A little like that awkward feeling one gets going through the mammoth (in more ways than one) women's udderwear section of Walmart on the way to the sadly diminished fishing tackle section?  I can relate to that.

While workers tell women about promotions like 5 for $25 panties, they are more likely to sell men full-priced merchandise, the worker said.

"Women are more value-oriented, and so we were encouraged to show them deals," she said. "Men would buy a couple of $50 bras without questioning us because they felt awkward."

The competitive landscape in stores meant that associates would often fight over male customers.

Not ever having been in a Victoria's Secret, not for lack of trying to persuade Georgia, I can't say that I personally have been discriminated against in this manner, but I must protest on behalf of all men, or at least the 98% or so heterosexuals.

Victoria's Secret managers use headsets to communicate with workers and encourage them to make sales goals.

"We would always be reminded of how much we needed to sell, and so when a man walked in, it felt like a lucky break," she said.

The founder of Victoria's Secret created the company as a place where men could buy lingerie for their wives without feeling awkward.

Apparently, that model didn't work out so well, so they went to the guilt trip model which has served women well since Younger Dryas at least.

I think they need to repay this slight by giving each of us a training program on how to shop for womens' underwear, personally taught by some angel or another.  I'm hoping for Cintia Decker.

Oh, and I've been saving some Victoria's Secrets Youtube for a good excuse.  This is at least moderately good...









Wombat-Socho has the Le Grande Rule 5 post "Slow Turning", up at The Other McCain on time and within budget.