The idea of 'Breastraunts' is a gross and outdated one, which is why Hooters announced its bankruptcy, I shed no tears. Any establishment that runs off the back of objectification isn't somewhere anyone should be supporting, no matter how good their wings are.
A recent study of the women of Hooters has revealed the psychologically damaging nature of the job. This hardly comes as a surprise. The company has strict rules on appearance, makes it clear that sexualisation is a part of the job, and provides little assistance when it comes to harassment.
People argue that because of their scantily clad appearance, their tips come pouring in, making their treatment acceptable. But money doesn't cover up for all the psychological trauma the women have to put up with.
Sure, they don't have to work there, but does an establishment like Hooters have any place in today's society? Dawn Szymanski, a professor of psychology, has taken the opportunity to study the women of Hooters before the breastraunt finally closes up forever.
Hooters Staff Given A Guidebook On Looks
Anyone who has ever worked in hospitality before knows how tough it can be. Brutally long hours, messy food, and hot, sweaty environments make it hard to stay composed. Pairing that with terrible customers and moody chefs and the hours seem to never end. However, according to the Hooters girls, they are still expected to stay 'Camera Ready.'
According to one of the Hooters servers, she was given a "booklet with exacting standards outlining her expected appearance, down to 'nails, hair, makeup, brushing your teeth, wearing deodorant.' She had to promise to stay the same weight and height, wear makeup every shift, and not change her hairstyle."
As well as being confident, happy, smiley, and charming, they were "instructed to make male customers feel special. To be their 'personal cheerleaders,' as one interviewee put it, and to never challenge them." That kind of obsequious behavior is above and beyond.
The Hooters girls face a predicament. If a customer tips well and then becomes inappropriate, they're in a tough position. They're told to treat them well, but they're in a sexually inappropriate position. This was a regular report by the women, who were often harassed and just had to grin and bear it.
Managers are of little help either. As one of the girls said, the waitresses are "a dime a dozen, and treated as such." If they speak out, they get dropped. The Hooters environment, as well as other breastraunts, breeds significantly more symptoms of depression, anxiety, and disordered eating in their staff, studies showed.
Making a quick buck will often entice people to work in places like this. However the psychological effect can be much more complex than they initially realize. I, for one, won't be sad to see the back of the creepy restaurant business model.
The post The Depressing Reality Behind Being A Hooters Waitress, According To Psychologist appeared first on Wide Open Country.