August 29th 2024.
As a woman, I've always found it exhausting to exist in a bar. It's not just the loud music and the pushy crowds, but also the constant feeling of being judged and objectified. I often wonder what it would be like to walk into a bar and simply order a beer without any second-guessing or unwanted attention. It must be so easy for men, I imagine.
I can't help but feel envious of how men are treated when they order a beer. They don't have to deal with other men putting their hands on their waist or being ignored by bar staff. And they certainly don't have to deal with the raised eyebrows and smirks that I get when I ask for a beer instead of a wine or cocktail. It's frustrating to be judged based on my appearance and assumed preferences, just because I happen to have "stereotypically feminine features."
As a female beer drinker, I've experienced all of these things and more. It's tiring to constantly have to ask myself if it's even worth drinking beer at all. The truth is, it's exhausting to exist in a bar as a woman, no matter where you go – pubs, clubs, beer festivals, or restaurants.
It's ridiculous that something as simple as what we want to drink can be second-guessed and presumed based on our appearance or voice. And it's even more ridiculous that women are drinking less beer now than ever before. According to a recent report, only 14% of women drink beer weekly, a 3% drop in six years. And the reasons behind this decline are even more alarming.
The report, titled "The Gender Pint Gap: Revisited," revealed that women feel targeted by male-orientated advertising and fear being judged by others. It's not surprising, considering the overwhelming number of beer ads that are clearly aimed at men. Just take a look at the drinks aisle in any supermarket and you'll see a sea of silvers, blues, and greys – colors that are often marketed towards men.
It's no wonder that women don't feel comfortable drinking beer with their male friends. But interestingly, they do feel comfortable drinking beer with other women. It's like being in a safe space where they won't be judged or objectified. And it's no surprise that they feel more educated and able to express their opinions on beer in this environment.
Unfortunately, I can relate to this feeling. As a beer drinker, I've often had to prove myself to men. I've been mistaken for a student or waitress when judging beer competitions. I've been separated from men and placed at a table with only women. And I've even been catcalled, harassed, and sexually assaulted at beer festivals by men who saw me as nothing more than an object.
But perhaps what's even more concerning is that 70% of women surveyed said that the calorific content and negative health implications of beer were a barrier to drinking it. In other words, they feared gaining weight. It's a sad reality that women are constantly bombarded with messages about their bodies and are expected to remain "perfect, prude, and pin-thin." And it's even sadder that this fear is preventing them from drinking something they enjoy.
This is why the idea that "beer is for everyone" is so important. It's not just a man's drink, and yet the beer industry often forgets that. Women are rarely hired in leading managerial or brewing roles, and only 3% of brewers are female. How are women supposed to feel comfortable and included in the beer world when they don't see themselves represented?
We need more male allies in this fight for equality. People need to listen to women and ask us what we want and need. But unfortunately, I've never been asked by a man in a bar, brewery, or behind the bar what would make me feel safer. They're more interested in objectifying me and making me feel uncomfortable.
All I want is to be able to enjoy a damn pint without having to fight for it. And I know I'm not alone in this. So let's continue to speak up and share our stories, because change won't happen unless we demand it.
[This article has been trending online recently and has been generated with AI. Your feed is customized.]
[Generative AI is experimental.]
