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28th Aug 2012

BIC Make A Fairly Big Blunder: Pink Pens Outrage Women Online

The stationery manufacturer designed a pink pen that "fits comfortably in a woman's hand". Cue: outrage.

Her

Oh no you didn’t…

Stationery manufacturer BIC have come under fire and become the subject of online ridicule as the company launched a “comfortable” range of pink and purple pens for women.

The pens, advertised exclusively for women, promise “smooth writing” and come in a box of twelve. They write in both blue and black ink, just so we have an option.

They are promoted as “designed to fit comfortably in a woman’s hand” and come in an “attractive barrel design available in pink and purple.”

Aren’t they too good to us? And here were we losing sleep at night because our normal blue “man” pens were killing our poor hands…

While BIC’s intentions are no doubt sincere, like many a man we know we think, the products have inspired a wave of online ridicule as women poke fun at their new product.

The website Amazon has already been flooded with hundreds of reviews from women.

One happy customer wrote; “Before these pens, I was nothing. I was a mere inconsequential woman, stumbling around writing nonsense with big pens that made me look ridiculous.

“I could barely write my name without having to sit down afterwards, it’s nine letters long and thus really takes it out of me when writing with a normal pen designed for men.

“But now… the whole world looks different. I cannot recommend this pen enough. It won’t just change your handwriting. It will change your life.”

Oh, whoever that was directed at got a chill down their spine!

Another said; “These pens actually make me feel liberated! At last my delicate feminine needs and tastes are being considered!”

 

The product for sale on Amazon.

Needless to say, the customers got a little bit angrier…

One, calling herself Sparklepony, said; “When I saw these I just had to have them, so I asked my Husband to buy them for me.

“He refused, as he said that owning a pen might make me Think, and then have Ideas Of My Own. Then I might start to Write, which would take time away from my wifely duties such as Cooking, Cleaning, and Bearing Children.

“Of course he was Absolutely Right, none of these tasks require a pen, and so I have to give these one star.”

Kitchenwench wrote: “I was recently given a box of these as a gift from my husband, but I have no idea what to do with them!

“They’re too thin to make a good rolling pin. I can’t ladle out my soups with them. And the tiny point doesn’t even make a dent when I try to use one to chop veggies!

“I don’t get it. If I can’t use it in the kitchen, what the hell am I supposed to do with one???”

Oh no. We’re cringing for BIC right now.

To make things even worse, the website section suggesting “tags” associated with the pens include “soft brained woman”, “delicate flowers”, “small lady hands” and “sexist”.

Even the men had some thoughts on the products.

Gordon Meadows wrote; “I opened the package and was immediately assaulted by question after question. The pink ones wanted to know when I was going to get them an iPhone and wanted $200.00 to get their hair and nails done while complaining about how I don’t make as much money as their friends owners do.”

Oh dear Lord, somebody’s in trouble…

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