Sexist or nay?

[Sundancer]

Phoenix ComicCon http://www.phoenixcomicon.com/programming

Sci-Fi Speed Dating


Sci-Fi Speed Dating is open to all single fans, 18+. It's fun, safe, anonymous, and gives you a chance to meet the geek of your dreams. Let your heart guide you on a series of 3 minute dates, to help you find the chosen one. Free for Ladies (FYi, the description says men have to pay $20.


Email Exchange:

Hello xxxx,

I was reviewing the programming and was excited to see this type of event offered. When I saw the unequal pricing I felt I had to write. Asking men to pay $20 for something women have access to for free seems unfair and discriminatory for an event not governed--to my knowledge--by federal law. It would be wrong to assume that women need to be coaxed to the event by a free price while men are more eager to meet someone and would pay such an amount. Do not both genders wish to meet someone equally? If the women had to pay an equal amount or the men less, maybe around $10, it would not seem so bad. As it is, it feels sexist. As someone who would like to participate, I found this discouraging. Can you explain the reasoning behind this imbalance in price?

(this was me)



Thanks for your email,

We actually partner with an outside group "Sci Fi Speed Dating". We provide the space and they provide the content, run the events and set the prices. Prices are based on historical data and experience across multiple conventions that the group hosts events in across the country to help equalize the participation between men and women. It's not really any different than "Ladies Nights" that are commonly run at bars and clubs everywhere.

Thanks again,
xxxxx
Director of Programming



Hello Joe,

I appreciate your prompt reply. My feelings is that it is significantly different than "Ladies Nights" that are commonly run at bars and clubs. Do you have a direct email to that organization you are able to provide? I searched the internet and want to make sure I have the correct information.






So woman have to be enticed by free admission to try something relationship wise but men have to pay??? If this was purely sexual, I'd understand. Yes, bars and clubs and provide hook-ups, but that is not their primary function. Socializing or relaxing is. I've done speed dating with other organizations and both men and women have paid.

I'm trying to imagine what "data" they have. Are woman at these conventions shier than men?

 

[Erzengel]

Its like when bars give discounts or allow women to go in free to bars. More women at the bar, more men to go go said bar.

Kinda the same thing. Trying to get as many women as possible. However, with it being a "Sci Fi" speed dating, you may need to entice more women to participate. It's like SHH, there's like a 25 to 1 male to a female ratio.

 

[C. Lee]

So....you actually emailed them to complain about this? If you do not want to pay the $20, then don't pay and don't attend it.

 

[KevanG]

Or dress like a woman to get in free then get changed in the bathroom.

Bam! Perfect plan.

 

[Sundancer]

So....you actually emailed them to complain about this? If you do not want to pay the $20, then don't pay and don't attend it.

Yes, I did. When you're passionate about an idea you act on it. It's a topic I'm sensitive to based on my own personal experiences. I certainly don't think I was an ass about it.

 

[Sundancer]

Its like when bars give discounts or allow women to go in free to bars. More women at the bar, more men to go go said bar.

Kinda the same thing. Trying to get as many women as possible. However, with it being a "Sci Fi" speed dating, you may need to entice more women to participate. It's like SHH, there's like a 25 to 1 male to a female ratio.

I address this in my first post.

 

[KRYPTON INC.]

I'm sorry dancer but... This is all kinda sigh inducing.

 

[Warhammer]

That is actually intelligent. When it comes to this stuff (especially at a con), men are the majority. With a fee while women being for free, it provides incentive as well as weeds out the flocks of men who will go on there.

But I have to agree with Krypton. This is sigh inducing, my man. I don't want to believe you actually went out of your way to complain about this.

 

[Reek]

 

[Teelie]

Sexist? Under the definition it is most definitely sexist. But the reality is it is a necessity. And complaining about it is indeed sigh inducing.

 

[C. Lee]

Yes, I did. When you're passionate about an idea you act on it. It's a topic I'm sensitive to based on my own personal experiences. I certainly don't think I was an ass about it.

Passionate about an idea....the new way of saying "Boo hoo.....a guhrl got sumthin fer free dat I din't!"

 

[MessiahDecoy123]

It's not sexist to recognize differences between genders.

Guys will go were there are lots of women.

The vice versa isn't really true.

Men and women are different. It's not sexist to recognize this.

 

[Reek]

Men are predators, and women know it. So it's a supply and demand scenario.

that's pretty much the simpleton way to put it.

Well.. this thread was quick work, but if we can get C. Lee to keep speaking slang to people, I am 100% in.

 

[moviedoors]

Night clubs have been doing that for years and years. Attracting single men is easy, women not so much. It is what it is. If they didn't do things like this, the ratio of men to women would be even more off than probably already is going to be.

Whining about it will definitely make you more attractive and desirable to women though.

 

[Donner]

Providing incentives is Business 101. This is really a trivial thing to be complaining about.

 

[Sundancer]

Passionate about an idea....the new way of saying "Boo hoo.....a guhrl got sumthin fer free dat I din't!"

That was very and judgmental, especially for a moderator. You can disagree, but I expect more courtesy as the other members provided. When I say passionate I mean a strong interest in the different ways men and women approach dating and society's thoughts and expectations on them. You also seemd to miss the implications of my statement "I've done speed dating with other organizations and both men and women have paid."



As usually, once I let my emotions settle, I did see the reality of the situation that other people here have mentioned. I have since contacted the organization via Facebook IM and asked or their reasons. Their reasons were based on facts except for one and one or two were things I hadn't considered, which were pretty much what Warhammer said.

If most people here think it's trivial, then well, I considered that and have to agree at this point.

 

[moviedoors]

Glad to hear you've taken a step back and reassessed your reaction

 

[C. Lee]

That was very and judgmental, especially for a moderator.

Judgmental? I saw it as making light comedic commentary on the societal perceived preconceptions of the interactions of the socially challenged nerdist sub grouping when encountering females.

You can disagree, but I expect more courtesy as the other members provided.

More courtesy....Like the ones who said your post was "sigh" worthy or the one that said you need to dress up as a woman so that you can get in for free....maybe you mean the one who said you were whining.

When I say passionate I mean a strong interest in the different ways men and women approach dating and society's thoughts and expectations on them.

When I say passionate I mean a strong interest in getting intertwined with my wife with the kid out of the house.

You also seemd to miss the implications of my statement "I've done speed dating with other organizations and both men and women have paid."

Nope....didn't miss it at all.....I simply ignored it to make a humorous response to what I saw as a farcical situation.

 

[Sundancer]

Judgmental? I saw it as making light comedic commentary on the societal perceived preconceptions of the interactions of the socially challenged nerdist sub grouping when encountering females.

I..have no idea how to read your tone...


How about just ending the exchange on a humorous note?

 

[DJ_KiDDvIcIOUs]

Glad you came to your senses on this because it's completely stupid. Simple fact is the majority of the time it's harder to get women to these types of things then men so taxing them makes no sense. It goes this way from clubs to orgies. The more ladies the merrier and if you're a dude you gotta pay. Same goes for the dance floor, if you get the ladies dancing then everyone else will follow suit. These types of things keep the scrubs at bay and we all know the ladies don't want no scrubs since a scrub is a guy that can't get no love from them.