Harry Pollard forwarded: > Shops stock Mother Christmas outfits to avoid accusations of sexism > Shops are stocking 'Mother Christmas' outfits to avoid being taken to court > over sex discrimination. > Woolworths says it's stocking the outfits in 800 stores to avoid problems > with European gender legislation. > It's because of a clause which rules against products reinforcing gender > stereotypes - like Father Christmas.
Just for the record: The EU Commission has declared that Woolworths does NOT have to stock "Mother Christmas" outfits under EU rules: --------------------------------------------- Thursday October 25 10:36 AM ET http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/nm/20011025/od/christmas_dc_1.html There's No Need for 'Mother Christmas' BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Father Christmas does not need a ''Mother Christmas'' partner under European Union (news - web sites) sex equality rules, the European Commission (news - web sites) has ruled. It rejected as a ``marketing prank'' what it said was a claim by British retailer Woolworths Group that it had to sell Mother Christmas suits alongside Father Christmas outfits to satisfy Santa sex equality clauses in EU legislation. ``EU rules aim to prevent discrimination against female employees at work,'' spokesman Andrew Fielding said Wednesday. He said that the EU's executive arm, often berated for meddling too much in citizens' lives, would not be breaking down sexual stereotypes by giving Santa a female partner. He also noted that reindeer portrayed as pulling Santa's sleighs were all female -- male reindeer lose their antlers before the winter while females keep them until the spring. He quoted an Alaskan state government office as once having said that only females: ``would be able to drive a fat-arsed guy in a velvet suit around the world in one night and not get lost.'' --------------------------------------------- Isn't it comforting that the EU Commission is spending its time with such important issues... (but Harry should check his 'facts' better...) Chris
