So while I was outside, I looked at the stores to either side of the one Michele was in. On the left was a women's clothing store called the Dress Barn. I can't imagine how that ever seemed like a good idea to anyone involved in the naming of that store.
For one thing, when one thinks of desirable fashion, one rarely thinks of farm life, or a barnyard context. This alone would keep most people away, I would think. Overalls, straw hats, checkered shirts, gingham dresses, clunky brown boots--at WalMart, sure, but not outside of goonville.
For another thing, the "barn" concept applied to people in general isn't flattering. When you call someone a pig, that person is generally going to be displeased. The same with "chicken" or "sheep." And that's just when you're talking about people in general. The farm-animal references to women specifically are even less flattering: chick, mother hen, hen-pecked, sow, cow, heifer, mare. These are just not ideas one attaches to a woman with whom one wishes to maintain good relations.
So, I'm back. How relieved are you?
4 comments:
Do you find Dress Barn, more or less objectional then Gas stations with names like Pump N Munch or Kum N Go?
I don't really see Dress Barn as objectionable--just ill advised. But your point is taken. Sometimes the wrong people get put in charge of naming things.
Beck worked at the 'Kato Dress Barn our last year. I still giggle at that moniker.
I had forgotten she worked there. Seems to me the name didn't strike me as odd in that context, but it probably never became concrete in my mind, either.
Funny.
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