Sexism?

[Paula]

Hello.
I thought you might like to hear of my experience as a new female in this hobby.
I've always been interested in flying. From flying stunt kites as a 10 year old to trying and failing to build and fly a 2 channel trainer plane, which was smashed to bits by the guy who was just going to "trim it before i took over and had a go" (14 years old). To then having a one hour lesson on a R22 full size Helicopter and being told i was a natural (probably says that to everyone).
I'm a qualified mechanic and scooter enthusiast owning a couple of 50 year old Vespas.
I was a little worried and very aware that this hobby is very male dominated and i must admit my local hobby shop asked who i was buying for when i went in for the first time. I've often been asked if i had my full licence when i go to motorcycle shops (do they ask men that too?)
Recently i bought a scale body for my Blade SRX 200 and had to purchase it with this "pack shot" [IMG]http://www.rcheliaddict.co.uk/attachment.php?attachmentid=85479&stc=1[/IMG]

I'm not trying to preach.I just wanted to make people aware that there might be lots of women like me out there that are interested in this hobby but feel they won't be welcome.
If you work in a shop, just assume everyone that walks in the door is a fellow enthusiast.
If you're going to post on forums, try and be all inclusive.
I must also say that i've had nothing but great help for people on various forums, I just think there's a whole new group of people out there that we need to be careful not to 'put off' straight away.
Looking forward to progressing in this hobby with you all!
Paula (not Pauka i really need to change that typo)

[GIXERMAN]

football was male oriented look what happened to that. don't think it should matter, only problems there is now, they will no how much we have spent on them! oops

[Paula]

I'm not talking about wives and girlfriends, My partner doesn't get it at all. And yes I also pretend i spend very little and it's even not his money!:)

[chrisleematt21]

I don't think its sexism as such, its just advertising. Happens in most industries.

Now after reading the post properly and not just the title and picture...

I think we just assume sometime rightly or wrongly my missus gets it a lot as she is into cars and people just assume that because she's a girls she has nfi.

Personally I think more women in the hobby is a great thing.

[tourerjim]

Think ill get myself a cuppa...!

[GIXERMAN]

[QUOTE=tourerjim;1189191]Think ill get myself a cuppa...![/QUOTE]

i just made coffee cheers Jim

[r4nd0m]

don't see anything wrong with it to be honest it reads "turn your helicopter into a real eye-catcher" - you surely wouldn't put it aside of a hell pilot who uses his belly as a transmitter tray would you? :hat:

quick check from the girl friend in the house and she went - oh interesting helicopter and then ... what does it say? and then oh what is she doing there with no top on?

so its more less irrelevant don't you think?

[waveydavey]

Hey Paula, welcome to the forum. Yes it is very male orientated although there a few female pilots, I'm not sure whether the image really does any harm, I wouldn't see the model, when looking at a much more attractive model :D

[Paula]

A picture of a girl in a bikini selling a scale body is sexisum unless she's selling bikinis too in my opinion.

[Grumpy]

Probably just fragile male egos worried about you out flying them:)

Do you have other helis in the fleet apart from the SRX 200?

[trillian]

Welcome to the forum Paula. I hope you won't be put off by those kinds of things, it's just 'life in the big city' as they say, the way of the world. Regarding actual flying at clubs I've never experienced any kind of attitude or anything (even at places that others said were not 'heli friendly').

I live with flatmates and many have come and gone over the years and none of them have had any interest in RC flying of any kind.

[Grumpy]

[QUOTE=chrisleematt21;1189190]I don't think its sexism as such, [COLOR=#333333]Happens in most industries.[/COLOR][/QUOTE]

So if it's not sexist find me just one RC heli add with a guy with his 6-pack on display:rolleyes: The fact that it's commonplace doesn't mean it cant be sexist.

Truth is it probably works to some extent for the majority of heli buyers (who statistically tend to be male).. i admit it drew my eye... sorry i'm only human:wink: If it would actually make me buy the heli is a different issue, i dont think so

[milly0812]

[QUOTE=tourerjim;1189191]Think ill get myself a cuppa...![/QUOTE]


Think ill ill stick with popcorn :P

[GIXERMAN]

[QUOTE=Pauka;1189195]A picture of a girl in a bikini selling a scale body is sexisum unless she's selling bikinis too in my opinion.[/QUOTE]

ok Paula, you've been a member of the forum since june. so 3 ish months and you have posted 5 times. so it may be better to get yourself out there a bit more.

[Paula]

The image does do harm if it makes someone feel that this hobby isn't for them.
And honestly it says exactly that.
What would a 14 year old girl think of it? I've had this with vintage scooters in the past too.
People need to know there's a very supportive all inclusive hobby here and it would be a shame if people were put off by careless marketing.
Right i'm off to chain myself to something!