The Conversation (0)
x
Lowenna Waters
May 28, 2018
Picture:
CRISTINANIXAU / ISTOCK BY GETTY
There is a trend among men 'of a certain age' where they refuse to read books by women, according to Waterstones.
On May 24, the Waterstones Uxbridge Twitter account posted:
I've worked here for... well... a very long time. In all that time, never has a woman said to me, "I don't read books written by men." However, at least once or twice a month, a man will say that he'll not read a book by a female author. Men are ridiculous creatures.
I've worked here for... well... a very long time. In all that time, never has a woman said to me, "I don't read boo… https://t.co/lrcXD3VvHe— Waterstones Uxbridge (@Waterstones Uxbridge) 1527163742
The bookshop worker then continued to explain their gripe in a string of tweets.
Of course, these men are of 'a certain age'...— Waterstones Uxbridge (@Waterstones Uxbridge) 1527163946
Naturally, we booksellers see this as our chance to suggest as many fantastic female authors as we can think they'd… https://t.co/wDRt1GedVY— Waterstones Uxbridge (@Waterstones Uxbridge) 1527164962
Many Twitter users took offence to the claim. Some saying that they'd now boycott Waterstones.
@WaterstonesUxbr Do @Waterstones have anyone officially monitoring social media or do they just allow individuals t… https://t.co/EnQ9LOGNIS— Simon Hoban (@Simon Hoban) 1527248018
Some took issue with the phrase 'ridiculous creature'.
@WaterstonesUxbr Dear @Waterstones if your company sees me as a 'ridiculous' creature, I will ensure in future I bu… https://t.co/LYLrJK3SR7— Sean Gallagher (@Sean Gallagher) 1527255152
While others were annoyed that men were being tarred 'with the same brush'.
@WaterstonesUxbr 😔 please don’t tar all men with the same brush. I read all authors... Very disappointed to see suc… https://t.co/24eQ59Ruok— Mark Allen (@Mark Allen) 1527441380
However, one female book seller said that she'd experienced the same thing.
@helenlclifton @keara_donnachie @lauraewaddell @WaterstonesUxbr Yep can confirm as a former bookseller that this in… https://t.co/AjRg4DbWu7— Rev. Kate (@Rev. Kate) 1527326360
And another said that men were angry by the claim simply because it was true.
@WaterstonesUxbr The men are so angry because they know it’s true. They should just admit it, say they have the rig… https://t.co/Rl1ZpMxijm— Oh, Valencia! (@Oh, Valencia!) 1527439808
In light of the backlash, Waterstones issued a clarification.
Of course, I apologise - not ALL men are 'ridiculous creatures'. Hope that helps clear things up.— Waterstones Uxbridge (@Waterstones Uxbridge) 1527182828
But one male author was still unimpressed.
More: The woman who tweeted her Waterstones crush as a dare has ended up marrying him
More: Female pilot tells sexist passengers: I can fly an £80m jet, you can’t
Keep reading...Show less
Top 100
