Riding crop costumes go bye bye

[innerSpaceman]

All sniping aside, I wonder if there's just some sort of P.C. attempt to de-sexify the remaining mysogenistic costumes in the Park. I'm sure it's a lot to do with the changing average body type of the current crop of potential cast members, but I can't help feeling that the demise of the Storybook Land skirt and the Club 33 French Maid is all part of a plan that culminates with a far less sexy tour guide outfit.

What gets me about this plan is the blatent sexicism it displays towards men. I predict you won't see them de-sexifying the Canoe outfits, or claiming that studly men just can't be found nowadays for that job.

[Not Afraid]

Originally Posted by innerSpaceman

What gets me about this plan is the blatent sexicism it displays towards men. I predict you won't see them de-sexifying the Canoe outfits, or claiming that studly men just can't be found nowadays for that job.

GOD! I hope not!

[€uroMeinke]

Originally Posted by innerSpaceman

All sniping aside, I wonder if there's just some sort of P.C. attempt to de-sexify the remaining mysogenistic costumes in the Park.

Perhaps, but this has been a cultural shift a long time coming - remember the days when Continental Airlines strutted it's stewardess on it's comercials singing "We Really Move our Tails for You?"

I suspect as more women entered the business world, such marketing found less of an audience (as the women weren't as amused and the men felt less comfortable in endulging their laciviousness).

But I think you hit on an interesting tangent - the desexualization of the work place. Current sexual harrassment training while presented as broadly as possible clearly is directed at men, who still are viewed as potential rapists.

Is it any wonder that porn is more poipular than ever?

[innerSpaceman]

Originally Posted by €uroMeinke

But I think you hit on an interesting tangent - the desexualization of the work place. Current sexual harrassment training while presented as broadly as possible clearly is directed at men, who still are viewed as potential rapists.

I have no problem with de-sexualization of the work place, but I do have trouble with the de-sexualization of the entertainment space.

Despite that many feel Disneyland to be a mere workplace and 'cast member' to be a misnomer, I view everything that takes place in its public spaces to be "on stage." And like most people, I want a wee bit of sexual titilation in my entertainment ... most especially in the area of costuming.

It's not that I want women objectified. Perhaps I would find the french maid outfit a bit anachronistic in terms of sexism, and yet the Storybookland skirts I would - to this day - find charming and appropriate.

I don't want men objectified either. I think getting rid of laderhosen was a step too far, even for this day and age. And I find rolled-up shirtsleeves for Canoe Boys to be perfectly acceptable. On the other hand ... requiring them to take off their shirts as they paddle 'round the RoA would be a step too far (except, perhaps, on a certain Saturday each October).


In other words, some entertainment costumes - even in 2005 - work best with an element of sex appeal about them. I don't believe sexy costumes will ever go out of style.

[€uroMeinke]

Originally Posted by innerSpaceman

I have no problem with de-sexualization of the work place, but I do have trouble with the de-sexualization of the entertainment space.

Despite that many feel Disneyland to be a mere workplace and 'cast member' to be a misnomer, I view everything that takes place in its public spaces to be "on stage." And like most people, I want a wee bit of sexual titilation in my entertainment ... most especially in the area of costuming.

Here is my disconnect - if this really was a show, there would be a director whose vision would presumably be played out by the cast. Is the directors vision an attempt to recreate an authentic environemnt? Is this an ideal representation? a fantasy? if so is it a sexual fantasy as well?

What characters are the "cast members" really playing? What is their background, their motivation? or are they not characters at all but rather stage decoration?

If Disneyland is a show - then really go out there and make it one, the half-assed version doesn't do it for me. It's a nice metaphore and all, but I don't buy it.

[Gemini Cricket]

Originally Posted by LoT's FAQs

Hey man, we’re all about free expression here. But the hipsters of the Lounge of Tomorrow are hep to Ghandi and Martin Luther King – we dig the peace here. So just don’t go picking fights with the cats and kittens who groove around here.

Think about what you are going to post, and if anyone might think them’re fightin’ words, then that’s the time to count to ten, and change your tone before you post.

Personal insults, personal attacks, or broad insults against a group of people that real people are a part of have no place at the Lounge of Tomorrow.

Why is this thread still open?

[€uroMeinke]

Originally Posted by Gemini Cricket

Why is this thread still open?

Well:

• So far no posts have been reported
• I'm involved in some of the duscussion, so it probably wouldn't be appropriate for me to close it
• I personally think we're still able to have adult though spirited conversation

But since I'm involved, I'll pass this on to the moderators for consideration.