I love that I live in times when more and more women are taking their place in the world. It’s not unusual these days to see women heads of state, women CEOs and women entrepreneurs, all busting the myth that women cannot lead effectively.
Despite the fact that there are many women still struggle against prejudice, there are several other myths that are constantly being blown apart. One of the top myths is that women cannot be trusted with money. This prejudice manifests itself in an overt way when men try to control all the household finances, even when their spouses are earning equally as well as them. All investment and big spending decisions get controlled by them, since they feel that the women will over spend or squander the money. However, in rural areas and in urban slums in India, it is most often the women who set aside money for a rainy day.
Another Myth About Women Busted #whenawomanshops
A more subtle way in which the notion of women squandering money is reinforced are the millions of jokes about women and shopping. How many times have I heard men saying that when the women in their lives go out to shop they lose sight of time and money. Also, it is suggested that if you give a woman a free rein with your purse, she’s likely to spend it all on herself – clothes, shoes, cosmetics etc. I know this is not true of my choices and that of many other women I know.
This is why I was so happy to see that Amazon in India invested in breaking the myth that women shop to indulge. In a social experiment, in which several couples participated, women were give Rs.5 k to spend online. Watch this video to see what happened.
I loved the look on the men’s faces when they found that their perceptions about women and shopping were all wrong.
Thanks to Amazon, another myth has been busted. Women can be trusted to make great shopping choices. Stop the jokes, and learn the lessons, guys! Start believing that shopping is just one of the areas in which women make great choices.
Discover more from Everyday Gyaan
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
I hate such stereotypes. Pisses me off.
At home, its mom who manages the budget… and I know plenty of guys who love and enjoy shopping.
Similarly, plenty of women don’t like shopping unless its absolutely necessary.
The Ad is a good start.. a step in the right direction..
You’re right, Pixie. I’m one of those women who doesn’t shop unless I absolutely have to!
This is one of the craziest misconceptions ever. We have matriarchal families in our history – where women literally ruled the roost and did a fab job of it. So I wonder what prompts these lines of thought! 🙂
Just this morning, I was pleased to read that for the first time ever a woman has been appointed the Maharashtra Temple Trust.
High time people started focusing on positive stuff! ♥
True, Vidya. Unfortunately all kinds of stereotypes continue to exist, don’t they? Like the bossy mothers-in-law and men being useless with housework, etc.
I am very proud of the fact that more and more women are out there busting this myth! At my place, actually both of us love shopping, but I am the one that calls the shots. I love shopping but not overspending or going overboard. Glad you have highlighted this issue 🙂
Thankfully, my husband and I are rather frugal and don’t go overboard either, Kala. Thank you for sharing!
In my house, I pay all the bills and make most of the investment decisions. My husband’s better at making money, but I seem to be better at managing it. I never understand women who turn over all financial power to their husband. If he goes before them (which happens more often), they’re left clueless. Very dangerous.
Thank you for sharing, Laurie. I’ve fallen into delegating my finances to my husband, simply because he’s so much better at it. But I have managed in the past and I know that I can do it if I want to.
I seriously think men are lousy when it comes to shopping. They need to be nudged in the right way at most times, unless and until they need a good gadget. They are undoubtedly the experts as far as technology is concerned. I am saying this from my experience. But yes, when it comes to the needs at home, women chose the best.
Not so in my house, Maliny! 🙂
Great experiment by Amazon India! The surprise on the husband’s faces is priceless. Those stereotypes need to go.
Glad you enjoyed it, Mike and I agree. We can do without the stereotypes!
I REALLY dislike shopping. I needed a new winter coat. My husband wanted to buy me one. I reluctantly went to the city (I hate crowds) and we looked in the big expensive stores at designer coats. I tried some on. Couldn’t get into the shopping thing at all. Said I didn’t want a new coat.
A week later, I was in a charity shop looking at books. I spotted the long black coat of my dreams hanging all alone on a stand – it was £6. I bought it. A few days later, I was in a large supermarket and noticed a very warm casual winter coat with a big hood. It was in the sale for £15. Why would I spend £200 + on a new coat I don’t even like?
Quite right Corinne, we are not all shopping vultures!!!! I can hear the pieces of smashed stereotypes falling all around me. 🙂
You sound so much like me, Gilly. My husband keeps nagging me to buy new clothes. I hate going through the whole process! 😉
That was a great direct myth buster video. I love it! Some stereotypes are so ingrained that it can be a reflex comment without really thinking if it is correct.
That’s true. We sometimes just take things as they are without questioning them.
This is one fact that folks at my home accept…that the women are more interested in shopping because they know the needs of the others and try to ensure that each family member gets what they need.
Btw, beautiful ad. This is the first time I am seeing it. Thanks for sharing Corinne 🙂
Happy 2016 to you, Jose and Pablo 🙂
Ah! That’s quite a different thing from saying that women love to shop for the sake of it. Thanks for sharing, Bhavya.
And wishing you a year of new discoveries and all you wish for yourself!
Hi, is everything ok? Have you been able to get back up and running. 🙂
Thanks for asking, Mary. All good now.
I don’t think that the affinity to shopping is related to gender. Some men do sensible shopping, some men don’t just like some women do sensible shopping, some women don’t. That is my belief. In our house sometimes I am the sensible one, sometimes my husband is. 😉 I liked the ad, makes sense.
Absolutely right, Vinitha. Not sure where these crazy ideas come from, but they seem to keep getting perpetuated!
I don’t know where the myth came from. If you look at today’s working women, most of them are trying to have a decent saving. Even at home, Mom manages the finances and they always buy something for the family. Glad someone actually made a sensible video 🙂