French bank Société Générale looks to appeal to the country’s women with its new Pour Elle card. The program offers members up to $250 of theft insurance for their handbags as well as two complimentary calls to electricians, locksmiths, and other common tradesman.
Société Générale says “Those who choose these cards are those who wish to adhere to their femininity.” However critics of the program suggest it’s simply sexist.
It seems ladies don’t like their banks telling them about femininity, or handbag care. The idea that losing a handbag or blowing a fuse are “female crises” is also pretty patronising. After all, plenty of white collar men have next to no idea about home maintenance either. And if we want to talk about real female crises, domestic violence, unemployment, and famine are probably bigger fish.
Société Générale is taking the criticism in its stride and insisting it sees nothing “discriminatory” about its new program. After all, while the scheme’s tailored for women the bank insists that 5% of its cardholders are men! And with our handbags ever more expensive, perhaps insurance isn’t such a crazy idea.
Do you think the criticism of Société Générale is justified, or do you think its new Pour Elle scheme is a smart idea?
[Source: Huffington Post]
[Image Source: Nuestras Charlas Nocturnas blog]
