# Is there really a "Pink Tax"? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [September 22, 2020, 10:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-really-a-pink-tax/921230 "2020-09-22T10:10:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 13
**Author:** ![MandaJo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ac91a4/32.png) [@MandaJo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MandaJo)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2020, 12:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-really-a-pink-tax/921230/241 "2020-09-24T12:00:42Z")
One thing has been brought up a couple times: that this isn’t even a problem because women can “shop smarter”. In addition to the other good counterarguments, I’d like to bring up another. The way one shops smarter and overcomes deceptive marketing is by swapping information. But when women try to do that, like in this thread, they are shouted down and characterized as whiners and idiots. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2020, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-really-a-pink-tax/921230/242 "2020-09-24T14:15:12Z")
> [@thickpancreas](#): > > Lol then what’s the problem > > What was the point of this thread? Obvious thread is obvious? Ol’ Urbanredneck is “just asking questions” again. I guess he got tired of hearing how women actually get cat-called and needed to ponder some other “so called” burden of being a woman. ---
**Author:** ![thickpancreas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ba9def/32.png) [@thickpancreas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thickpancreas)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2020, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-really-a-pink-tax/921230/243 "2020-09-24T14:37:38Z")
I don’t think you understood my point so I’ll try to rephrase it. I agree, the “average guy” doesn’t wear fitted or tailored clothing. But guys who need to dress better for a specific line of work, do, and it’s just as difficult and expensive for them to find well fitting clothes as it is for women. Follow me so far? It just so happens that women are _more likely_ to work jobs that require or benefit from wearing clothes that fit well, and as such they are more likely to complain about not being able to find clothes, or having to pay more to do it. A lot of these jobs aren’t necessarily millionaire, “I have a personal driver” kind of jobs. Elitism and snobbery doesn’t have anything to do with it. Again, women are just _more likely_ to need, or want to dress well than men. Get it? ---
**Author:** ![thickpancreas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ba9def/32.png) [@thickpancreas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thickpancreas)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2020, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-really-a-pink-tax/921230/244 "2020-09-24T14:38:13Z")
Lol what? ---
**Author:** ![thickpancreas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ba9def/32.png) [@thickpancreas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thickpancreas)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2020, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-really-a-pink-tax/921230/245 "2020-09-24T14:38:59Z")
I haven’t seen much info swapping in this thread. Mostly people saying women shouldn’t have to do that. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2020, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-really-a-pink-tax/921230/246 "2020-09-24T14:39:39Z")
> [@thickpancreas](#): > > Lol what? My thoughts exactly. ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2020, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-really-a-pink-tax/921230/247 "2020-09-24T15:02:32Z")
> [@thickpancreas](#): > > It just so happens that women are _more likely_ to work jobs that require or benefit from wearing clothes that fit well, and as such they are more likely to complain about not being able to find clothes, or having to pay more to do it. I say it just so happens that women more often have jobs that require them to wear potato sacks. My cite is my post, just like yours is. If you have any evidence for any of your myriad claims, please provide it. As to the point of this thread, it was a question asked by a poster about whether the pink tax exists. Since you agree that it does, I’m not sure what the point of your continued posts are, other then to accidentally offend women by seeming to imply that they are stupid consumers who enjoy getting screwed by marketing departments. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2020, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-really-a-pink-tax/921230/248 "2020-09-24T15:05:42Z")
> [@RitterSport](#): > > I’m not sure what the point of your continued posts are, other then to accidentally offend women by seeming to imply that they are stupid consumers who enjoy getting screwed by marketing departments. Arguing for the sake of arguing? ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2020, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-really-a-pink-tax/921230/249 "2020-09-24T15:40:19Z")
> [@thickpancreas](#): > > It just so happens that women are _more likely_ to work jobs that require or benefit from wearing clothes that fit well, and as such they are more likely to complain about not being able to find clothes, or having to pay more to do it. How much more likely? What jobs, specifically, are you talking about? I know about certain fields that are historically dominated by women–teaching, nursing, administrative work, caregiving, etc.–but none of those seem to require “clothes that fit well” more than jobs in general. Are there stats that support your claim? If you lack statistics to support your claim, do you notice in yourself a history of, as a man, 'splaining to women the reasons why the sexist dynamics they perceive are either fictional or all their fault? ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2020, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-really-a-pink-tax/921230/250 "2020-09-24T16:13:50Z")
Is that “mansblaming?” ---
**Author:** ![Hari\_Seldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hari_seldon/32/5173_2.png) [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2020, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-really-a-pink-tax/921230/252 "2020-09-24T16:18:24Z")
Moderating: Please stop posting on this thread. You are threadshitting. This is an official warning. ---
**Author:** ![Tabco](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tabco/32/7644_2.png) [@Tabco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tabco)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2020, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-really-a-pink-tax/921230/253 "2020-09-24T16:27:02Z")
Couldn’t it be argued that even if there was no actual pink tax (i.e. women paying more for identical items and services), the gender gap in wages mean women are effectively paying a larger share of their income for the same things? In any event I’m convinced after reading this thread (and other sources) that the pink tax is real. ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2020, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-really-a-pink-tax/921230/254 "2020-09-24T16:30:07Z")
> [@MandaJo](#): > > It’s not just a women thing: shampoo for men is all labelled FOR MEN now Heck, I often worry the other way around, that labeling them FOR MEN and putting them in gunmetal-grey containers is going to sock me for extra. Anyway, I’ve been going for standard whatever’s-on-sale VO5 and Suave and H&S since my teens with no qualms about it. ---
**Author:** ![Dangerosa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Dangerosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dangerosa)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2020, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-really-a-pink-tax/921230/255 "2020-09-24T16:45:19Z")
In other words - its access to the women that is being marketed, the women are being commoditized, and they are getting “paid” in free drinks. Or, “if you are getting something for free, its probably because you are the commodity being sold.” ---
**Author:** ![Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slow_moving_vehicle/32/291_2.png) [@Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slow_Moving_Vehicle)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2020, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-really-a-pink-tax/921230/256 "2020-09-24T16:47:37Z")
> [@Dangerosa](#): > > In other words - its access to the women that is being marketed, the women are being commoditized, and they are getting “paid” in free drinks. Or, “if you are getting something for free, its probably because you are the commodity being sold” Network TV and most websites use that model, as well. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2020, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-really-a-pink-tax/921230/257 "2020-09-24T16:50:31Z")
> [@Dangerosa](#): > > In other words - its access to the women that is being marketed, the women are being commoditized, and they are getting “paid” in free drinks. Or, “if you are getting something for free, its probably because you are the commodity being sold.” Exactly so. ---
**Author:** ![Dangerosa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Dangerosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dangerosa)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2020, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-really-a-pink-tax/921230/258 "2020-09-24T17:03:32Z")
On the topic as a whole Type 1 - Same product marketed for women costs more. Bothers me, but unless there is really a difference … I buy cheap disposible unisex razors and unisex shampoo and soap. Type 2 - Same product or service costs more for women - bugs the hell out of me. My husband and I have functionally the same haircut and have for years. His costs half to have it cut. I tend to go to Cost Cutters for the $15 it doesn’t matter which parts are under your jeans cut. When I know I have to play the game, I let my husband play it - i.e. buying a car. Type 3 bothers me the most - particular around feminine products. Having hit menopause, its a relief not to have to buy pads any longer (except I do because being a woman of a certain age who has had a baby means I really shouldn’t go for a run without protection). Pads and tampons are expensive. Bras are expensive. And you don’t just get to skip these things (unless you are extraordinarily flat chested). Eventually I went to washable pads - which are expensive up front, but cheaper over the long term - but still expensive. There really isn’t an equivalent for men. There are other - more optional but not entirely optional - parts of being a woman - like buying makeup and having shoes to match outfits. Optional if you are in a situation where it isn’t necessary, but I almost always wore makeup to my office job and I don’t think it was really something I would have had much choice about - women who didn’t bother with makeup really had dead end careers (as did women who wore too much). I think this is changing (again, I’m of a certain age), but it was certainly the case when I was establishing myself. ---
**Author:** ![Kearsen1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Kearsen1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kearsen1)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2020, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-really-a-pink-tax/921230/259 "2020-09-24T17:07:08Z")
I mean, aren’t we all stupid consumers who are constantly getting screwed by marketing departments? ---
**Author:** ![Dangerosa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Dangerosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dangerosa)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2020, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-really-a-pink-tax/921230/260 "2020-09-24T17:07:39Z")
off topic - Facebook is the king of commoditizing its own users. And we are so naive about it. ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2020, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-really-a-pink-tax/921230/261 "2020-09-24T17:08:10Z")
> [@Dangerosa](#): > > There are other - more optional but not entirely optional - parts of being a woman - like buying makeup and having shoes to match outfits. And I would argue that the time that is invested in applying makeup and coordinating outfits is a bit of a tax in and of itself as well. As a guy, I spend maybe 30 seconds choosing which clothes have the fewest holes in them when I pick out what I will wear for the day. No one says anything about it unless I’m going to some sort of formal occasion. If a woman were to spend that little effort, then I hear people talking behind their back disparagingly, and to their face with concern about them not taking care of themselves. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-really-a-pink-tax/921230.md?page=12) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-really-a-pink-tax/921230.md?page=14)