A pub apologised after being branded ‘sexist’ for issuing permission slips for ‘girlfriends, wives and fiancées’ to sign off their blokes to go watch the rugby.
Town Square Belfast posted the funny form to Instagram. It asked women to grant their boyfriends and husbands permission to view the Six Nations games “with the boys”.
The tongue-in cheek post was not well received by some social media users. Many took to Twitter to condemn it as ‘alienating’ and ‘discrediting half the population’.
Some users tried to defend the joke, claiming that some people would be offended by “everything these days” and noting that everyone is different.
The Town Square Belfast pub in Northern Ireland has come under fire for asking women to sign permission slips for their ‘boyfriends, fiancés, husband’ to come watch the Six Nations rugby championship with ‘the lads’. Some claimed the act is an example of “everyday sexualism”.
Pictured: The pub has apologized for its move and has issued a new authorization slip that will allow women to enter.
The ‘permission slip’ reads: ‘Dear Girlfriend/Fiancé/Wife, Your Boyfriend/Fiancé/Husband has been invited to watch the rugby with the lads at Town Square Belfast on the following dates,’ before listing the five possible dates.
“These outings are obviously subject to your consent. Kind regards, The Lads.
The bar removed the image after receiving backlash. They then uploaded a modified permission slip, in which gender terms had been changed to include women.
The remodified image had #notjustformen #politicalcorrectness #girlslikerugbytoo written in the description, but it was taken down shortly after.
Town Square’s Permission Slips Stunt did not go down well with punters. Especially women who felt the slips were ‘alienating.
Town Square Belfast spokesperson said that while we don’t mind raising a few eyebrows via social media, in this case, we are truly sorry for any offense caused. Shortly after the post was published, it was deleted.
Over on Twitter, the original permission slip – addressed to ‘Girlfriend/Fiance/Wife’ – was being slammed as ‘cringe’ and an example of ‘Everyday Sexism’.
Kat Freeman, one of the users who disapproved with the messaging, tweeted: “You know what’s so good about Town Square’s business decision? Half of the population is being disparaged and alienated!
Some women stated that they wouldn’t get along with someone who found the slips amusing, while others pledged to boycott the pub.
Kat from Belfast said that it was mostly cringe, and it is kind of sad they believed this is peak humor.
“When they removed it, and then reposted it to make it gender neutral,” I was genuinely amused.
It was embarrassing to even consider that the joke could have been fixed and retold to be truthful.
“I meant this fiftys – My wife won’t allow me to do XYZ” is outdated.
“It is evident to anyone with a brain today that women are being disadvantaged in society. It’s embarrassing to cast men as victims of their own partners.
One woman said the permission slips are the ‘alienating’ while others simply said the slips are ‘cringe’
This post generated backlash online from the 25-year old software engineer.
Kat commented, “I believe it’s made such response because it’s rare to find a business making such stupid, thoughtless posts, and even more rare to have them back it when called out on.
‘Like this is your business dude not your personal page, if customers are calling you out, probably best to just delete it and retreat to the shadows with your tail between your legs, or better yet, apologise and don’t try to pretend it didn’t happen after you didn’t get enough backup from the anti-political-correctness defenders.’
Although some people claimed the slips represent everyday sexism others said they were a matter for humour.
Others on Twitter shared Kat’s sentiments about the post.
Twitter user: “His has made me doubt my homosexuality. #Dull #Banal #EverydaySexism.’
A fellow tweeter remarked: “F****** hell. More cheese than Dairylea,’ whilst another wrote: ‘I could never be friends with anyone who finds this one bit funny.’
Another person tweeted, “Jesus Christ! Why are these still popular?” Even in the late 90s, they weren’t funny at all.
Town Square altered the permission slip to allow female partners to attend Six Nations.
Another person wrote “Christ the night.” There’s another Belfast business to add to the boycott list,’ whilst a different user wrote: ‘GOOD F******* GOD I CAN’T TAKE ANY MORE OF THIS S***.’
Another Twitter user commented: “I love Six Nations, but this makes it feel like I want to barf.”
A few Twitter users saw Town Square’s post with humor.
One Twitter user wrote: ‘Awk f*** up would yas!! I am offended at everything these days!
Another user commented: “What is funny for one, isn’t it to other, very simple.”
Some social media users were furious even after the pub made their joke more inclusive.
One user said: ‘What angers me more is that they changed it to include ‘girls’ and included a ‘#politicalcorrectness’ so not changed due to tired, crappy stereotypes and acknowledgment of this but because of PC pressure.’