I'm not a club person. I don't like poor lighting, expensive snacks, and pushy people. Yet throughout my time in college, I've met a wide swath of people who are all about that party circuit, and therefore, a certain amount of party-like announcements end up on my social media feed. In casual observation, I've noticed a trend that I'm not particularly fond of: Ladies get in free.
As a frugal person, I'm all about cheap, or free, pricing. Yet when pricing is gender specific, I grow concerned. I realize that "ladies get in free" does not mean that the price is vetoed for gal pal groups - it means that girls are paying their dues in different ways. They may not pay the initial entrance fee, but they bring in paying males, beautify the club scene, and have more cash to spend on cocktails.
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Still sound free?
As someone who is all about female dignity, I find clubs that bring in girls with the "ladies get in free" incentive to be testing the waters of respect. Not only do these institutions use women to bring in men (who are paying full price), but they treat women as pieces of livestock who can be tricked into becoming marketing tools; clubs with pictures of pretty girls bring in men and women who automatically assume that the club is the place to be. College aged gals may find these clubs a way to have a good time and save a buck, but they don't realize that by skipping the line, they may actually be placing themselves in danger.
You go to a club, and avoid a $40 entrance fee. Now you have spare change for you and your girls to use for some fun! The drinks keep coming; the bartender may even give you the happy hour price far past 7p.m. Soon your system is full of unexpected alcohol, and the men are swarming. Your brain is fuzzy, and your judgement left with the last shot of tequila.
Still free?
Roy Den Hollander, an anti-feminist lawyer, has made it his personal mission to sue nightclubs that "cater" to ladies; he believes that they are giving women an unfair advantage. Though I'm not sure I agree with the fact that nightclubs are feminist when they offer these deals, he's right to be ticked off. His initial question of, "Where are the "men get in free" nights?" is spot on. No matter what perspective you come from, there is a clear red flag when one gender is treated in a different manner than the other.Maybe the "ladies get in free" nights are good marketing tools - more women bring in both men and women. It sounds like a flawless business plan. Yet assumptions are made and women are used, whether they recognize it or not.
"Ladies get in free" is far more expensive than the entrance fee. It costs dignity, judgement, and your liver is sure to take a hit. Are you still glad you came when men come in for your tipsy, fun attitude and not the D.J. that spun the night in circles? What are these clubs really asking women to pay?
