Hooters and teen boys

[Buckalew]

I agree with robin and joe...the exploitation of women is what bothers me (& I know they work there willingly). It isn't what I'm about as a woman and definitely not what I want for my own DD. And I appreciate fathers like joe instilling respect for girls and women into thier sons even though girls and woman don't always demand respect for themselves.

In this case, I think it is the message that you'll be sending to your sons, their friends, their parents and the message in turn that thier parents will be sending the whole group also.
I don't think it makes one a bad parent but I do think it sends a bad message about the opposite sex.

 

[grinningghost]

I'm another one who thinks Hooters is pretty degrading to women. Yes, I know the girls that work there do so of their own freewill, but those are the women that fuel the fire that says we are nothing but sex objects. Yes, they're there to make money, and it's all good, clean fun, but is it really? I don't know many men that go to Hooters just for the food. In fact, my own DH has been there and said the food wasn't very good. Let's get down to the real reason - it's to look at the waitresses. If they're only there to make money and serve food - why then, do they have them dressed in skimpy shorts and shirts? Do you see the waitresses at Denny's dressed like that? No. Reason: that's not the draw at Denny's.

Another thing: For all the men out there that go to Hooters and think the waitresses are hot for you - here's a clue: they aren't. They want your money. Then they go in the back room and laugh at you with the other waitresses.

 

[Buckalew]

grinning ghost,
You are right in that the power of a woman's sexuality is a very powerful tool.
One could say well, good for the women to take the man's $ if he goes there for the oogling instead of the food--good for her!
But, by the same token, that is not what I'm teaching my dd about "girl power".
We've given girls and young woman the wrong message for years. Sure, you see worse and more skimpy clothing on women just about anywhere. I wonder why??

 

[TeresaNJ]

I honestly have to say that there is no way in hell that I would have allowed my sons to go to a party at Hooters. I don't care if it is billed as a family restaurant, I don't care if the waitresses there wear more than the average female teenager, it is the whole concept of the restaurant that bothers me. Come on, any restaurant that calls itself "Hooters" and dresses their waitresses the way that they do, should not be called a family restaurant. Tell me what the word "hooters" stands for? It is a degrading term referring to a women's breasts, as far as I know. I am the last person who I would describe as a prude or uptight, but the basic concept of this restaurant is demeaning to women. After all, would you take your teenage daughters to a restaurant called "whatever sexually degrading term there is for a man's genitals", and the male waiters were dressed in tight bike-type shorts that displayed their "goods" in a sexual way for all to see? I don't think so. So, in answer to the original poster's question, no, I would not let my son host a party at Hooter's or allow him to attend one until he was 18 and making his own decisions.

 

[Tiggeroo]

It is the whole respect to women that has me hesitant on this one.

By the way, what would they call a male equivelant of Hooters? Any ideas?

 

[Tony-NJ]

HOT BUNS? or Packages?

 

[Blondie]

Originally posted by Tiggeroo
It is the whole respect to women that has me hesitant on this one.

By the way, what would they call a male equivelant of Hooters? Any ideas?

How about a restaurant called "Nuts"

or

"Nuts and Bolts"

Maybe "Bob's Balls & Biscuits?"

 

[FleurdeLise]

Did noone here wear "Hot Pants" in the 70's????

 

[Tiggeroo]

Maybe "Bob's Balls & Biscuits?"

Bwahahahahahaaaa

 

[Rajah]

I'm another one who is bothered by the philosophy of Hooters. I don't care what the "reality" is there, the idea behind it is degrading and not something I would want any son of mine to go to (if I had a son).

Ultimately, though, I agree with Kirk -- before you decide one way or the other, go have a burger yourself. That way you can base your decision on what you know rather than what you hear.

(And the male equivalent of Hooters was called something like Banana's on TV in some commercial -- I didn't like that commercial any more than I do Hooters)

 

[Eeyore2U]

I went to Hooters for lunch with a female friend. In the restaurant were families, couples, groups of men and woman and of course groups of males. I didn't see sex on the floor. I didn't see the waitressestaking patrons to a secluded areas with money changing hands. I didn't see lap dances. What I saw was people having lunch. Eating wings, burgers, whatever. I noticed the good looking young ladies but I also noticed some in the mall where I went after Hooters that had more hanging out with less reason.

Is Hooters degrading to women? No more so then Style TV or MTV or the Laker Girls. I think we all see what we want to see.

 

[Blondie]

Originally posted by Eeyore2U
Is Hooters degrading to women? No more so then Style TV or MTV or the Laker Girls. I think we all see what we want to see.

Bingo!

Did noone here wear "Hot Pants" in the 70's????

Evidently not! Nor did anyone ever wear those "Daisy Dukes" either, or tube tops for that matter.

 

[bsnyder]

Here's what the Hooters folks have to say:

Hooters of America, Inc. is the Atlanta-based operator and franchiser of over 330 Hooters locations in 43 states, Asia, Argentina, Aruba, Austria, Brazil, Canada, England, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Singapore, Switzerland and Taiwan. The privately held corporation owns 120 units.

The first Hooters opened October 4, 1983, in Clearwater, Florida. During its history, the Hooters concept has undergone very little change. The current logo, uniform, menu and ambiance are all very similar to what existed in the original store. This lack of change is understandable given the tremendous success the Hooters concept has enjoyed. Hooters has continued to rank high amongst the industry's growth leaders. Hooters has proven successful in small-town America, major metropolitan areas and internationally.

The casual beach-theme establishments feature '50s & '60s jukebox music, sports on television, and a menu that includes seafood, sandwiches, salads and spicy chicken wings. Hooters, system-wide, generates and averages 70% of its sales from food, 5% from merchandise, and 25% from beer and wine. Notably, Hooters does not serve liquor.

The element of female sex appeal is prevalent in the restaurants, and the company believes the Hooters Girl is as socially acceptable as a Dallas Cowboy cheerleader, Sports Illustrated swimsuit model, or Radio City Rockette. The Hooters system employs approximately 20,000 people - nearly 15,000 of which are Hooters Girls. The "nearly world famous" Hooters Girls are the cornerstone of the Hooters concept, and as part of their job, these all-American cheerleaders make promotional and charitable appearances in their respective communities. Hooters hires women who best fit the image of a Hooters Girl to work in this capacity. The chain hires both males and females to work in management and host, staff, service bar, and kitchen positions. The Hooters Girl uniform consists of orange shorts and a white tank top, short-sleeve or long-sleeve T-shirt. Pantyhose and bras are required.

Claims that Hooters exploits attractive women are as ridiculous as saying the NFL exploits men who are big and fast. Hooters Girls have the same right to use their natural female sex appeal to earn a living as do super models Cindy Crawford and Naomi Campbell. To Hooters, the women's rights movement is important because it guarantees women have the right to choose their own careers, be it a Supreme Court Justice or Hooters Girl.

Women occupy management positions all the way from Assistant Manager to Vice President of Training and Human Resources, Kimberly Rivera, who started her career at Hooters as a Hooters Girl.

The chain acknowledges that many consider "Hooters" a slang term for a portion of the female anatomy. Hooters does have an owl inside its logo and uses an owl theme sufficiently to allow debate to occur over the meaning's intent. The chain enjoys and benefits from this debate. In the end, we hope Hooters means a great place to eat.

Hooters characterizes itself as a neighborhood place, not a family restaurant. Seventy-percent of all customers are male, most between the ages of 25-54. Hooters does not market itself to families, but they do occasionally patronize the restaurants. Hooters is in the hospitality business and provides the best possible service to anyone coming through the door. For this reason, the chain offers a children's menu.

According to ever-increasing sales figures, the Hooters concept must be acceptable to a large majority of American consumers. Hooters believes critics of the concept are a vocal minority of politically correct minded individuals. This group sometimes states the concept "constitutes a hostile work environment," but just the opposite is true.

Hooters of America, Inc. has taken a pro-active lead in the industry addressing issues raised by individual acts of sexual harassment. Hooters of America, Inc., like all responsible corporations, deplores such acts and prohibits this behavior in the workplace. The company has a long-standing non-harassment policy forbidding unwelcome physical or verbal behavior, and specifically mentions sexual harassment. This policy includes a confidential reporting system for complaints, including a toll-free phone number. Since 1983, Hooters has employed nearly 200,000 Hooters Girls, and while even one incident is too many, this large number of employees, compared to the limited number of sexual harassment lawsuits filed, indicates this policy works.

For a distinctly different reason, Hooters ran into problems with the Equal Employment Opportunities Commission (EEOC) in 1991. The agency brought forth a commissioner's charge against Hooters claiming its hiring practices discriminate against men. Following an intensive four-year investigation the EEOC determined what executives had told them all along, Hooters only hires women as Hooters Girls. On November 15, 1995, the chain took the EEOC's charge public with a 100 Hooters Girl march on Washington D.C. Hooters received support from the nation's media, calling the charge "another example of ridiculous government waste," and some 500,000 Hooters customers supported the chain by sending postcards to Congress.

Because of this action, 23 members of the 104th Congress, led by Rep. Charles Norwood (R- Ga.), wrote the EEOC requesting it drop this matter. On May 1, 1996, news reports announced that the federal agency would not pursue litigation. To date, Hooters has not received formal notification from the EEOC, however believes the matter is concluded.

But this was not the end of the legal issues surrounding the Hooters Girl. A group of men in Chicago and a group in Maryland brought forth class action lawsuits challenging the Hooters restaurant chain's right to hire only women in front-of-house positions. On November 25, 1997, federal magistrate Morton Denlow in Chicago approved a settlement of these class actions. Under the parties' agreement, Hooters will continue to be allowed to hire only women for the job of Hooters Girl.

Most importantly, the settlement agreement acknowledged that "being female is reasonably necessary" to the performance of the Hooters Girl's job duties, forever preserving the integrity of the Hooters Girl concept.

Sex appeal is legal and it sells. Newspapers, magazines, daytime talk shows, and local television affiliates consistently emphasize a variety of sexual topics to boost sales. Hooters marketing, emphasizing the Hooters Girl and her sex appeal, along with its commitment to quality operations continues to build and contributes to the chain's success. Hooters' business motto sums it up, "You can sell the sizzle, but you have to deliver the steak."

The Hooters system uses television ads, the Hooters Magazine and Hooters Girl billboards to advertise the concept.

It also generates awareness through successful sports partnerships with the National Golf Association Hooters Tour and the United Speed Alliance Hooters Pro Cup racing series, as well as the Hooters IHRA racing series. These properties enjoy extensive television coverage and fan support. Other sponsored sports properties include Formula One powerboat racing and an AMA Motorcycle Team.

Hooters not only reaches the sports fan, but reaches out to the communities in which it operates. The Hooters Community Endowment Fund (HOO.C.E.F.) raises money for local and national charities such as the Jimmy V Foundation for Cancer Research, Make-A-Wish Foundation, Special Olympics, Juvenile Diabetes Foundation and Muscular Dystrophy Association. Since 1992, HOO.C.E.F. has raised more than $7 million for these and other worthwhile organizations. A portion of this money comes from a VIP grand opening party each location holds to benefit a local charity. These openings generate thousands annually and prepare staff for the hungry customers to come.

The first years have been a "Hoot" and the chain looks forward to a bright future. The company has no plans to alter the concept and feels doing so would be a tremendous disservice to its franchisees, employees, and customers.

 

[JoeThaNo1Stunna]

Nothing wrong with Hooters, except when they have Hooters girls who are over 35.

 

[AMClvsMKY]

We bring our boys there once in a while and haven't thought twice about it. ( They are 9 & 13 ) I am usually the one that suggests Hooters, we think the food is actually pretty good. The buffalo strips are very tasty!!

Tigeroo, the suggestion to go yourself is a very good one. See if you are comfortable there then make your decision based on that.

 

[luvdzny]

I say let them go. I have a DS that is 19, and a DD that is 14 they have both been to Hooters. I don't see what all the fuss is about. These women have chosen to work there, no one forces them, and while they may be wearing "skimpy clothes" it really isn't much worse than what I have seen at the local high school. If you tell the other parents and they decide to keep their son home that is their choice.

 

[Michelle]

Bet, that was very interesting. I always though their claim that hooters referred to OWLS was pretty ludicrous and I have to laugh when I see that they are including it in their own corporate information.

It's not a place I have any interest in...nor would I take kids there. Teenagers are a gray area, I think it's up to the individual parents to decide.

 

[Blondie]

Originally posted by JoeThaNo1Stunna
Nothing wrong with Hooters, except when they have Hooters girls who are over 35.

So let me get this right...you'd bypass a Hooters if Janet Jackson was there because she's over 35?

Janet Jackson's birthdate: May 16, 1966

 

[Tony-NJ]

if Janet Jackson was there - there'd be a lot more hanging out than what you see now!!!

 

[nkjzmom]

Should you take into account the maturity of these boys? There've been posts of all sorts of people eating at and enjoying Hooters....but think about your guys and ask yourself what they'd really be going to do there.....eating some great wings and burgers........or just checking out the girls............