ADVERTISEMENT

What do you look for when you’re choosing a product? Let’s say the product is something essential but banal, for example, a toothbrush. Do you want it to work how it’s supposed to and be comfortable to use? Obviously. Do you want it to be a color you like? Sure. Admittedly not relevant to how it works, but you do see it several times a day, after all. Do you want it to make you feel like a real man or a woman?

Probably not what most of us think of while we’re brushing our teeth every morning, but apparently, advertisers say yes. Here are some products that we don’t think anyone asked for gendered versions of, as found by people on Twitter.

#1

Unnecessarily-Gendered-Products-Thread

themouseyouknow Report

Add photo comments
POST
kaisu-reinikainen avatar
Kaisu
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If you want to make pink binoculars for people who like pink, that's fine! But gendering binoculars is so unnecessary and stupid

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#2

Unnecessarily-Gendered-Products-Thread

fomae2 Report

Add photo comments
POST
sonja-szabrotska avatar
Sonja
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

well, the women's one is usually narrower, but has more space in the...breast area. at least the mine one has.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu

Nobody is saying that selling things in a variety of designs is bad—people have different likes and dislikes and we would be bored if everything only came in brown. But is it any wonder why so many girls end up resenting pink and floral patterns when that’s the one look that advertisements and toy packaging tell them they should be choosing, while boys are encouraged to play with toys in red, green, black, and pretty much every other color?

For adults, who have had their whole lives to get to know their own preferences, it seems shallow and infantilizing. And when design comes at the expense of functionality, like pink glue or more fragile razors, it goes from uncomfortable to insulting.

#4

Unnecessarily-Gendered-Products-Thread

themouseyouknow Report

Add photo comments
POST
tygrys2 avatar
Miłka Chromińska
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Finally a product for me, I've had enough of using men's shampoo, apricots have delicate hair you know. We need specially formulated shampoos :D

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#5

Unnecessarily-Gendered-Products-Thread

themouseyouknow Report

Add photo comments
POST
sonja-szabrotska avatar
Sonja
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

well, sometimes it is better to sort is this way. it is because of herbs inside. better than call it "tea-against-menstruation-pain", or "tea-for-those-who-has-prostate-gland-troubles". this is a better version, i think

emory_ce avatar
Carol Emory
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Getting too detailed can make the product undesirable. Besides the fact that you don't need to advertise your medical issues to everyone that can see the box at the checkout line. It's called being discrete.

Load More Replies...
emory_ce avatar
Carol Emory
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There's actually a purpose behind this. The women's tea promotes estrogen health, bone density and calmness for stress. Them men's promotes healthy testosterone levels, memory wellness and gastrointestinal wellness. You wouldn't want a woman drinking a tea that promotes higher testosterone levels, would you?

thedavids06 avatar
Brivid
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I understand but they should explain. Otherwise I'll just walk right by it not realizing what it is for.

Load More Replies...
jchildress88 avatar
Jay Loren
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This actually does make sense and has nothing to do with what someone thinks they are. Different herbs have been used for the different S E X E S for thousands of years because we have different "parts".

linda_robinett avatar
Linda Robinett
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Some supplements are different such as mulivitamins so this one makes sense.

ulivedu avatar
Eduardo Del Cerro
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Explanation from the tea company here: https://www.yogitea.com/en/womens-tea-and-mens-tea/

baali_venomax avatar
Baali Venomax
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think this is something that is specific to the male or female metabolism.

beatyruth avatar
Ruth Beaty
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Notice the "manly" and "feminine" style in the cups, too. Personally I like a nice sturdy mug, I'm clumsy and the dainty ones don't hold up well, lol.

ocoker avatar
Hawkeye
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Men's tea ad: "Because I like my tea to taste like Old Spice and combat boots"

noahkerr avatar
A Water Bottle
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ah yes the spicy man tea. Bruh what’s this BS I would prefer an orange tea over chili tea

colleencoughlin avatar
Colleen Coughlin
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This one actually makes sense....I'm sure it's two very different blends

armcdearis avatar
a Minecraft girl
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

*Drinks men’s tea* ahh this is delicious... wait is that a beard growing on my face?

safyra199421 avatar
Ausrine Ciapaite
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

By the looks of ingredients, both teas can be drank by either gender. However, ingredients in "Men's tea" are known for better "blood flow, stamina and getting desired places harder". "Women's tea" is for energising and calming. But I agree that attaching gender labels is not right. I'd write what the tea does instead.

radi_chipanova avatar
Radostina Radost
Community Member
3 years ago

This comment has been deleted.

emelierosberg avatar
1337
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Makes sense, it's because of the content. Same with vitamin pills. Men and women require different content.

eulaliegrace avatar
Eulalie Grace
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Both teas have traditional ingredients that are gender specific. You can see that on the box.

mo_poppins avatar
Mo Poppins
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You know how traditionally, scientific experiments were only performed on male test subjects? We’ve discovered that in certain instances, it DID matter because men and women ARE different. I’m all for freedom and equality, but let’s not overcompensate or fail to recognize when we’re biologically or chemically different.

chrissprucefield avatar
Chris Sprucefield
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Dafuq!? This is utter BS.. I know some women that are even more men than some men and vice versa... Get a grip...

marilyn-holt-3 avatar
Marilyn Holt
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What???!!! I'm just hoping they sell blue and pink mugs nearby because otherwise how could we even drink it?

rhyanlumilay avatar
rhyan lumilay
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Chili and ginger? I want to drink tea to calm myself and you put two spicy things in it? Why gender label it are they sure all men and women likes that? Maybe just leave it without that so people can just pick which ever they like.

louisporter avatar
louis porter
Community Member
4 years ago

This comment has been deleted.

tarryn_louise avatar
Tarryn Louise
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Some herbs are better for the female body and visa versa. Like rosemary leaf tea has benefits for women during menstruation, sure men can drink it too.

t_janine avatar
Non-New-Toni-An
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This doesn't deserve to be in the list. It is perfectly legitimate to put different herbs into a tea aimed at either men or women. For instance, different types of ginseng are better for one sex than the other.

lesburleson avatar
Leslie Burleson
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yeah, this would be because the herbal properties are aimed at gender specific biological issues

linbot1 avatar
Lily Mae Kitty
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

this is a thing for a reason. they have teas for period issues, menopause issues and men's issues, like prostate

nailz007 avatar
Mal
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The women's tea should be priced less, since we get paid less.

lyonefein avatar
Lyone Fein
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sorry to all you PC folks, but different herbs/teas actually contain hormones such as estrogen. So, yes, there are medicinal teas that are made specifically for women, or for men. And if you are the other gender you will get sick from drinking the wrong one.

onelungas avatar
Kostas
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Now and then we receive the question “why YOGI TEA® has created Women’s and Men’s Tea?”. “It is just a marketing trick!” – This is what many people think. We forwarded the question to SAT HARI SINGH and hope, his explanation can help. The world is based on the principle of polarity, which is reflected in its various aspects by the many wisdom teachings that also include the philosophy of Ayurveda and yoga: Shakti/Shiva – Prakriti/Purusha – Yin/Yang – Moon/Sun – material world/spirit – or simply… woman/man. Life is not conceivable without these polarities. Both aspects of a polarity are contained in every living being to different extents. The creation is only complete when these two polarities complement each other.

onelungas avatar
Kostas
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In yoga and Ayurveda, man and woman are definitely seen as equals who wonderfully express their respective special characteristics of beauty through their body, their nature and their being. The polarity of man and woman is one of the essential principles of these philosophies since men and women are ultimately very different in their anatomies. Ayurveda is familiar with many herbs and spices that can delight the female or male nature. YOGI TEA® has composed the corresponding teas for women and men. Based on experience, we know that these teas are also popular with tea lovers of the other gender. So it is obvious that everyone can enjoy them. Another question is also, what does the essence of Women’s Tea really mean. The sentence “Deep compassion” is related to the power of feel compassion for other people. We hope that this background information has helped you.

Load More Replies...
jonathanjames avatar
Jonathan James
Community Member
4 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

I don't see a problem with this one. In the UK tea is actually adapted for parts of the country, depending on taste, type of water etc. I'm sure there's something to back up men and women are preferential to a certain type/strength. If your not British you won't understand!

hilliarys avatar
Hilliary Smith
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In which case label it with the type and strength, as I would find that more helpful when trying to choose.

Load More Replies...
View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#6

Unnecessarily-Gendered-Products-Thread

themouseyouknow Report

Add photo comments
POST
stonewoodoo avatar
Falcon
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I wonder if it's a play on words. Hand and Man. Still makes little sense tho unless it actually explodes...

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT

Then there’s the opposite phenomenon, when marketers think things should be designated “for men” because apparently it’s not manly in the first place to use soap, eat bread, or have a cup of tea (chili in tea... I didn't know there was something effeminate about drinking things that taste good and don’t hurt.)

#7

Unnecessarily-Gendered-Products-Thread

themouseyouknow Report

Add photo comments
POST
edsouza avatar
Ed Souza
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I can only imagine the outrage if they made this for women... still funny, I would buy this one as a gag gift.

View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT

To be fair, some products are gendered because of average shape and size measurements or nutritional requirements based on sex. Even in those cases, though, what do we get out of labeling them “for men” or “for women” before said sizing or nutritional benefits? That just confuses and embarrasses people whose needs fall outside of those averages, because our proportions and chemistry vary a lot even within the biological categories of male and female. Further polarizing products by putting nuts and bolts or flowers and glitter on the package adds another uncomfortable layer by conflating our personalities and likes with those physical parameters.

#10

Unnecessarily-Gendered-Products-Thread

themouseyouknow Report

Add photo comments
POST
james_fox1984 avatar
I’m Foxxy and I know it 😉
Community Member
4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This one doesn’t specifically say any gender. There is nothing wrong with having a choice of pink plane or blue plane. Some people (whether girl or boy like pink and others like blue).

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#12

Unnecessarily-Gendered-Products-Thread

mizumomochi Report

Add photo comments
POST
siobhanac_c_ avatar
Ana B.
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Just an unrelated reminder that when they say "flushable", that doesn't mean you should flush them. You CAN, but it's not considered a good idea.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu

The American Marketing Association has observed that younger consumers are beginning to scoff at advertising that leans on gender, and recommends that brands focus on advertising “what a product is for rather than whom it is for.”

They say that brands could learn more about their consumer base’s habits and do better business by removing gendered marketing that could sway consumers away from products not traditionally associated with their gender, and embracing marketing that presents their products in a positive light for any consumer.

#13

Unnecessarily-Gendered-Products-Thread

inkyfollies Report

Add photo comments
POST
gracebusby23 avatar
sunshine_20
Community Member
4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Honestly, this isn't gendered, this is just two different types of products, with different characters/design.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#15

Unnecessarily-Gendered-Products-Thread

themouseyouknow Report

Add photo comments
POST
lawrence_dillard avatar
Terd Fergison
Community Member
4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The bible is one of the most misogynistic books on the planet. It states that a women who has a female child is twice as unclean as a woman that has a male child. It says that if a woman is raped and they are found, the rapist must pay the father some shekels and they must be married. I don't know many women that want to marry their rapist. Just a sickening, disgusting anti-woman book. Evil garbage filth.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#16

Unnecessarily-Gendered-Products-Thread

themouseyouknow Report

Add photo comments
POST
johanemoller avatar
Johane Moller
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This isn't really gendered it's colored. Only if you assign blue to boys and pink to girls can you say it's really gendered. As it doesn't say 'for boys' or 'for girls' on the packaging. I would've probably liked this as a child.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#18

Unnecessarily-Gendered-Products-Thread

jakeoftales Report

Add photo comments
POST
kaisu-reinikainen avatar
Kaisu
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Now this kind of gendering of products is problematic. Just making a blue and pink product isn't gendering, but this is just really icky and not the way boys and girls should be taught to think about themselves.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#24

Unnecessarily-Gendered-Products-Thread

CrimsonG_Shep Report

Add photo comments
POST
avitalpilpel avatar
Avital Pilpel
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well, let's just say it's probably because "I went through a whole box of tissues during that movie" means something COMPLETELY DIFFERENT for men and women.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#25

Unnecessarily-Gendered-Products-Thread

icecoldreddie Report

Add photo comments
POST
james_fox1984 avatar
I’m Foxxy and I know it 😉
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Cards against humanity brought out the “for her” set as a jab at the “pink tax”. Maybe have a read up on it.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#26

Unnecessarily-Gendered-Products-Thread

RuinTaughtMe Report

Add photo comments
POST
kaisu-reinikainen avatar
Kaisu
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Again, I don't really think this is gendered...? Some kids like to play with the rockets and planes while others like to play with the astronauts. I think it's really cool that there's a female astronaut doll and nowhere does it say that it's for girls or that the other one is for boys

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#30

Unnecessarily-Gendered-Products-Thread

themouseyouknow Report

Add photo comments
POST
dirkdaring99 avatar
Dirk Daring
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Every person who has never found their name printed on a souvenir is really ticked at Eetu right now.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu

Note: this post originally had 46 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.