Bath, Body, and Buffalo. Works, Wild, and Wings.

This week I went to two different places that each catered to a specific gender.  

Bath and Body Works

While this store never says specifically that it is "just for women", it definitely advertises to please women.  For instance, while I was there I saw a lot of things that are usually associated with the female gender.  Lots of pink, fruity scents, sunshine and happiness, "girly" font, and heart-shaped candle holders were just a few of the many female items I saw.  The most alarming thing I saw was a stand that said "Sparkling, girly, and full of fun!"  Next to it there was a sign that read "The head-to-toe best for him!"  All of these things scream female, even the male section.  It clearly states "for him".  This is implying that a female is buying a gift for her male companion, not that the male would be shopping there.  My cousin used to work at a Bath and Body Works and when asked about how the male gender was involved in the store she responded with "I think I only ever worked with two or three guys (only one of which worked mainly in the floor).  The other two worked more behind the scenes stocking and organizing the back room.  We really didn't get too many guys coming in to shop for themselves, even though we did have a men's section.  Most of the time they were coming in with their family members or significant others, or they were alone, but shopping for that family member or significant other."  All of these facts lead to one conclusion, Bath and Body Works is a store for females.  They do little to cater to men, but try very hard to please women.  

Buffalo Wild Wings

Again this store does not out right say that it's meant for one gender, yet, everything about them points to the male gender.  Beer, bold font, sports, and ironically women are all things that are associated with men an can be found everywhere in Bdubs.  They even have a cool nickname!  Although they mainly advertise their abundance of flat screen tvs for customers to watch sports on, they are attempting to appeal males rather than females.  The things shown on the tvs were primarily displaying men.  Not just male sports, but men in  commercials and commentating on the male sports.  This reminds me of "About Men" by Gretel Ehrlich because she describes the cowboys falsely being portrayed as "macho men".  Bdubs portrays men as sporty and overall "manly".  When I went there I saw only female workers.  They weren't wearing any scandalous uniforms like they do at Hooters, instead they were wearing sports jerseys.  I have to admit that Bdubs is slightly more gender neutral than Bath and Body Works in that the customers I saw there were a decent mix of both genders.  Which was very surprising considering the shear amount of male items designed to bring them into the store.  Everything about Buffalo Wild Wings was set up to cater to the male gender.  

I feel that each business is great and very successful.  It is obvious who their target customer is by the subtle and not so subtle choices they make.  Personally I don't mind that they try to please a specific gender.  However, I strongly believe that it should be acceptable and even normal for the opposite gender to shop at those type of stores.  Men shopping at Bath and Body works should not have to feel uncomfortable in any way, shape, or form.  And for that matter, women should not feel awkward displaying their love for football while at Buffalo Wild Wings.  In addition, some people could feel insulted that businesses are in a way stereotyping.  Not all girls like "girly font"  or sunshine and fruit.  Not all men enjoy watching sports or big bold letters.  Making each gender comfortable going to each type of store is the main priority.