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Comment by HashHishBang | Hacker News Reader

Rude? Honestly no. Classless? Yeah, definitely. I sincerely believe that is an important distinction to draw. Especially for products so hilariously high end as a "giant yacht" and a Lamborghini branded massage chair that may also be a Decepticon.

I think there's a story here. Double standards are clearly present with the disqualification of a sex toy for women while also hosting VR porn and Real Dolls. However, as the links in this piece illustrate, those stories have been written.

Pieces like this take a conscious effort on my end to not dismiss as borderline clickbait because I want to see opinions that aren't my own. It just gets harder when the article is sprinkled with groan inducing tweets such as: "It's like me too never happened"

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I consider it rude in the sense that women are not even considered in the consumer spectrum of these products, as it's not our place to be in the fabricant's opinion. I understand society changes and some time ago it was aceptable for that to be in a conference, but now it's not anymore.

I'm not picking up a fight about this, but it's now the time for these companies to notice that women are also in the market and we like to be included and more importantly, respected.

The booth babes make a statement about the company's opinion on women. They are objects used to attract men to buy our products.

> I consider it rude in the sense that women are not even considered in the consumer spectrum of these products

Fair point and one I hadn't considered. I had assumed that my income level meant I wasn't considered on the consumer spectrum. I can see where the inclusion of a booth babe could tip the scales from something I couldn't afford if I tried to something that doesn't want me to buy it even if I could. Thanks.

>I'm not picking up a fight about this, but it's now the time for these companies to notice that women are also in the market and we like to be included and more importantly, respected.

I have to keep stressing that my inquiries are genuine simply because it's very easy to read these kinds of things as disingenuous. What if there were men up there as well? Assuming that the marketing trend of "sex sells" doesn't stop any time soon is that an improvement? A lateral change towards inclusivity while still remaining classless?

> Fair point and one I hadn't considered.

That's the good thing when discussing different points of view.

> Assuming that the marketing trend of "sex sells" doesn't stop any time soon is that an improvement?

I agree that no one should be a booth babe, whether men or women, that's why I focus on the respect aspect. If it's a sex conference, it fits in the enviroment of "sex sells", if it's not, as you said, it remains classless.

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