The premium woman

I am talking with a friend over soda, lime and bitters, who had found a “cheap” hairdresser. “It was $75 for a cut,” she tells me.

“Looks great,” I say, thinking that would be a considerable saving for me (no, I am not telling you how much.)

“Is that cheap?” says another friend at the table, a bloke, taking a handful of mixed nuts.

“Oh, yes,” we chime. “That’s cheap!”

He asks the logical question. “What do they do differently for women than for men?”

“Nothing. They just charge us more,” I reply. “It’s like clothes. Women’s clothes cost more. Women’s pay is lower. They charge us more, pay us less and then call us stupid.”

OK, a bit aggro (sorry, Dave). But the point is correct.

There are all sorts of extra costs women pay. On top of the premium for haircuts and clothes (that are usually less well made), there is the cost of cosmetics, of course. And don’t get me started (again) on the cost of (useless) stockings. Shoe cos an astronomical amount and are mainly torture. Handbags. We even get our own special tax: 10 per cent GST on tampons. The accoutrements of being female all come with an “added extra” gender premium.

Men may argue they have the cost of shaving but so do women. A briefcase? Sure, but you don’t need one to match every suit. Suits? Yes, you can spend a lot on them but you only need to change the shirts and ties, not the entire outfit.

And of course, there are the “anti-aging serums”. Our Therapeutic Goods Administration is quite clear about making pseudo-scientific claims about cosmetics. Unfortunately, it just doesn’t bother to enforce the rules. It is therefore possible for cosmetics companies to charge hundreds for “hocus potions” that make absurd and illegal claims about “turning back time”, wrinkles “fading away” and non-surgical face lifts.

Unfortunately, our workplaces perpetuate women’s participation in the beauty myth. Turning up to the office with hairy legs, or without lipstick and stockings may be tolerated – maybe – but in most cases it will hinder your advancement. Manicures, an impressive wardrobe, outstanding hair, flawless make-up are part of the corporate woman’s package, in the main.

Imagine turning up with a $10 barber cut – that kind of thing is taken as a statement. It is seen as troublemaking.

And so, the case is not for equal pay, it is for equal pay with a loading for the premium women pay just to participate in the workplace without scaring the horses.

Do you agree? Write and tell me your views.

BRW

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