I don't think any ideology argues over what they can and can't worry about - or is told what concerns they should have more than feminism. When it comes to life, the university of, you might be informed by those graduating (I mean dying – or those who have made it onto Desert Island Discs and are always encouraged to impart a life lesson whilst introducing Direstraits) not to sweat the small stuff. That's probably a good lesson to live by. By small stuff I think people usually mean fretting over how your behind looks, what people might think of you if you try to achieve your faintly ridiculous ambition, and what people might say if you kick up a fuss about something you think is unfair. Don't sweat the small stuff doesn't actually mean ignore it. It means do something about it. Whether that is deciding not to fret about your appearance or deciding to take action.
That's not my conclusion. Even though that was WELL profound. Sometimes speaking up doesn't immediately ignite a flurry of support. Particularly if you are doing what feminists do best and RUINING EVERYONE'S INNOCENT FUN. At someone else's expense.
Elinor Block of Stylist magazine wrote about the new Facebook group and Tumblr Women Who Eat on Tubes and she wasn't impressed. "Women of London, it's time to acknowledge the fact that we are revolting commuters. That's right, if you get the Tube and have a vagina, you're exposing your fellow commuters to a disgusting display of behaviour...But what is it exactly that we're doing? Are we coughing without covering our faces? Perhaps we're emitting fumes of stale coffee and ash over our travelling companions? Or maybe, the worst commuter crime of all, it's because we're noisy breathers?...Actually, it's none of the above. In fact, it's that we've been caught eating en route."
Block noted that, while many groups and Tumblrs of this format are funny and popular there is a difference with this one because it is documenting women without their knowledge. Which sounds a bit creepy. Meanwhile on Huffpost...
Elinor Block of Stylist magazine wrote about the new Facebook group and Tumblr Women Who Eat on Tubes and she wasn't impressed. "Women of London, it's time to acknowledge the fact that we are revolting commuters. That's right, if you get the Tube and have a vagina, you're exposing your fellow commuters to a disgusting display of behaviour...But what is it exactly that we're doing? Are we coughing without covering our faces? Perhaps we're emitting fumes of stale coffee and ash over our travelling companions? Or maybe, the worst commuter crime of all, it's because we're noisy breathers?...Actually, it's none of the above. In fact, it's that we've been caught eating en route."
Block noted that, while many groups and Tumblrs of this format are funny and popular there is a difference with this one because it is documenting women without their knowledge. Which sounds a bit creepy. Meanwhile on Huffpost...
| Meanwhile on Huffpost Nathalie Gordon is all: "Ladies, I'm a feminist and I will actively fight our cause till my boobs hit the floor and I breathe my last breath through my Chanel lipstick but oh my goodness am I embarrassed by your behaviour lately." | It isn't about women, it's just called Women Who Eat on Trains because Women is the catch-all term for anthropological observation. |
Where Block points out issues with consent, privacy and meanness – often posters (male and female) will list the food items eaten on the tube, time taken to eat them and maybe how the food smelt) - Gordon thinks we should be way more gracious: "Seriously, when did feminists lose their sense of humour because this is proof that it's well and truly gone. How do the women offended by something as insignificant as a Facebook group have nothing better to get wound up over than the fact that people (remember there are women in this group too) are commenting on their humanity."
Gordon, who tells us she had her pubic hair photographed as part of Project Bush so she must be pretty indulgent of feminist causes (though it's always iffy regarding whether or not pubes are a feminist issue), says the buck stops here and we should just laugh at Women Who Eat on Trains. Though she didn't see the humour in Lindy West's take down of time stealing film Love Actually.
You see WWEOT is OK because founder (that sounds a bit grand for a Facebook group but starter doesn't seem right) Tony Burke told Gordon that: "'[The group] was also intended as an observation of human behaviour... it isn't about women. The gender aspect is a random coincidence. It makes it more niche and adds to the group's popularity but there has never been gender agenda."
YOU GUYS this is a society project. It isn't about women, it's just called Women Who Eat on Trains because Women is the catch-all term for anthropological observation. RANDOM! Also eating is gendered. Only women eat. We know this. What else could they do? I mean really, chill and relax about how not only are women continually policed but also smirked at. And really, when you think about it...that is a joke.
Squeamish Kate
Gordon, who tells us she had her pubic hair photographed as part of Project Bush so she must be pretty indulgent of feminist causes (though it's always iffy regarding whether or not pubes are a feminist issue), says the buck stops here and we should just laugh at Women Who Eat on Trains. Though she didn't see the humour in Lindy West's take down of time stealing film Love Actually.
You see WWEOT is OK because founder (that sounds a bit grand for a Facebook group but starter doesn't seem right) Tony Burke told Gordon that: "'[The group] was also intended as an observation of human behaviour... it isn't about women. The gender aspect is a random coincidence. It makes it more niche and adds to the group's popularity but there has never been gender agenda."
YOU GUYS this is a society project. It isn't about women, it's just called Women Who Eat on Trains because Women is the catch-all term for anthropological observation. RANDOM! Also eating is gendered. Only women eat. We know this. What else could they do? I mean really, chill and relax about how not only are women continually policed but also smirked at. And really, when you think about it...that is a joke.
Squeamish Kate
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