The Hooters experience By Anne Rajotte Managing Editor The infamous Hooters restaurant, complete with such slogans as "More than a Mouthful" and "Delightfully Tacky, Yet Unrefined," opened its doors to Erie early last year. , The restaurant sparked contoversy in parts of our conservative community, while establishing a strong customer base in others. The waitresses or "Hooters Girls", as they are known, are a famous constant in all of the Hooters restaurants. The waitresses are required to wear very skimpy orange shorts, a cut off t-shirt or tank top, full makeup, and their hair down. Obviously this sort of uniform would seem to constitute a specific body type. Derek Bayer, manager of the Erie Hooters said that the girls need not necesarily be thin, though on that particular night there were no overweight girls working, they just needed to be comfortable with the uniform. When asked if he would hire an overweight women, he simply said that he hires with the uniform standards and projecting a positive image of Hooters in mind. Waitressing is not the only duty required of the Hooters Girls. They also sell t-shirts and other merchandise, and occasionally perform songs or dances. The fact that they sing and dance classifies them as "performers", therefore allowing them to hire only women as waitresses,and avoiding gender discrimination problems. According to the Hooters media statement, "The Hooters Girl is the 'all-American cheerleader' or the 'surfer girl next door'." It goes on to say that, "Claims that Hooters exploits women who are attractive, are as ridiculous as claims that the NFL exploits men who are big and fast." Hooters has been the subject of much contoversy concerning its portrayal of women. Dr. Diana Hume George, professor of English and women's studies at lifE KCIIRoNiCLES AOft WS LE aAIM I wiflA OF *KG.. If IMD itAMA ' 14 4 91EY !WORMY 511graTMOFF 1 1 0 IL IR r SIT Behrend said, " As a feminist and a teacher of women's studies, of course, I find the idea of exploiting women's bodies in these ways moderately disturbing or offensive, but I think the only way to handle it is to laugh at it. It's just silly...lt's on the comic end of a comtinuum that has more serious symbolic content and real social consequences." She also feels that the experience of being a Hooters girl could be harmful, depending on how the women internalizes it. Some could walk away completely unharmed, while some will look back and wish that there had been other ways. Rob Spencer, a Hooters customer, doesn't see Hooters as degrading women. He stated that the women "wouldn't do it if they didn't want to." Interestingly, he also said that he wouldn't bring his eight year old son to Hooters,"l don't think that he should be staring at cleavage." Spencer said that the reason he patronizes Hooters is because it is close to his house, it has good burgers, and he finally admitted that the women something to do with it. Carol Hogan, a female customer, said the food was the reason she ate there. She doesn't find it degrading, and said, "if I had the bodies of these girls, I would work here too." Kelly Pahel is Hooters Girl and a Behrend student who started working there last April. She enjoys her job and says that the money is good. The tips are about 18-20%, as opposed to the standard 15%. There is also the occasional extra big tip, fcc example, a hundred dollars or a peice of jewelry. She feels that girls who work there have a lot of self esteem, and generally feel good about their bodies. According to a woman who worked at Hooters for a short time, this may not necesarily be true. She said that there was a lot of competition among the women about their bodies. (Tv* orsi4im P' I GPI I . I I EOMO arIe'RE'RKAGRA. ESP kr tol Plins A WMOS a' 0' I terOn ..fd6 ^ ..";" • r 1105 Is liti ROT eV IN 19 OK Or VI R.% SO ConSiderair 411 4 6 1 , 4 1' 1 __ if cart be 13 I 1A..1r . 01,11,(F. 01 CRAZY WTI. WI IL.. wittl I earlina 0143010"10a0 -PE*l Eur ROL i'l 4... IgillS6 V' 1 Features Pahel feels that she is often judged differently because of her job. but once people visit Hooters. they change their minds. "I would tell anyone that has preconcieved notions about Hooters; don't judge it until you've tried it." In a place with the atmosphere of Hooters, there is a reason to believe that an excessive amount of sexual ' harassment a inappropriate behavior takes place. Bayer says that although the incidents are slightly higher than a family type restaurant because of Hooters' all female waitstaff andthe fact that it serves alcohol, the problems are only occasional. This was confirmed by Pahel, who says that she has only witnessed a few serious incidents. A group of men, who were already drunk came into the restaurant, and were not served alcohol, became irate, and verbally harassed the waitresses. In a situation like this, the party is escorted out of the restaurant. Inappropriate behavior on the part of the waitresses is also not tolerated. Sexual behavior towards customers results in termination of employement. Despite this there is still minor flirting and suggestive behavior. On a hat signed by the waitresses at the Erie Hooters are the phrases, "Do us again!". "Get wetll", "Get busted at Hooters!". and "Hang loose". Flirting also seems to be part of the job. A former Hooters girl felt that the women compromised their personalities for the sake of a higher tip. Famlies with young children are a regular occurance at Hooters, and women make up about 30% of the clientele. Hooters claims that they do not market themselves to children, however they do offer a children's menu, wnich suggests that children make up a large enough part of their customer base to have such accomodations. Pahel feels that, "Hooters is a fun place Rr. E LT? BAD Malbe 1 should go ,see 11ai..1 stub Mgt LlW.s6ffit4 TIE gfalla MIS K 0... , \‘llll. • . 4 ,1 •• 0 ° for the whole family to enjoy: men, women, and children." Bayer said "For a conservative market, we've been very well recieved." There was an initial problem with the Millcreek school district PTA. They asserted that the restaurant was too close to Tracy Elementary school to have a liquor license, and it was also inappropriate for children. The school was planning to move to another location before the start of this school year, which put an end to the PTA's complaints. Hooters is very upfront about the type of atmosphere it creates. The name itself is a slang term for breasts, though the company attempts to make it a double meaning by including an owl in its logo. The Hooters media statement clearly states , "You can sell the sizzle, but you have to deliver the steak. Sex appeal is legal and it sells." DEREK BAYER: General manager of Hooter's. Photo ty Jessica Trzwkikmol Have you suffered -From any head njuri es lately- ~,,,~// him 'nab lifts.. ND fi;:o a) Ai 1 PENNSTATE Film review: The Game but simply implies that they his previous productions. specialize in creating some sort Throughout much of the movie, of fantasy, or game. the viewer will find it impossible Michael Douglas stars as Nicholas visits the company to keep from biting their nails or millionaire entrepreneur Nicholas where he is given extensive clenching their fists. The film is Van Orton in this weekend's psychological and physical tests. blessed by talented acting and thriller The Game. Van Orton is a He is not told when the game will has a solid plot that will leave the ruthless business man whose life begin, just that he will be has been plagued by failed contacted. movie-goer with a feeling of completeness at it's end. marriages and the suicide of his Soon afterwards, strange things However, if you are of the type father. Nicholas is given a gift begin happening to Van Orion, that says, "Oh, that could never certificate for a company called escalating to the point of being h appen, » at least once during Consumer Recreation Services as harassed, chased, and pursued by every movie you have ever seen, a birthday gift from his brother, hitmen; all part of the game. you may enjoy The Game a little Conrad (played by Sean Penn). Director David Fischer has less than one who possesses a Conrad doesn't really tell made this film just as dizzying more patient willing suspension of Nicholas what the company does, and electrifying as Seven. one of disbelief. Jon Stubbs Collegian Staff Philadelphia USA 101 Erie itnirsday. September 18 - The Behrend College Collegian - page Family John Amorose Esurtainmiusi Editor "Do you know what it says in the bible about f—ing your own sister? It says 'don't'" Red spews in a drunken slur. If this statement is true. then the Pewsy family has got a lot of explaining to do when or if they reach the pearly gates. In The Roadhouse Theater's production of Coyote Ugly. not only is incest practiced, it's accepted as a way of life. The story takes place at the Pewsy house in Herber, Arizona. The quaint kitchen/living room. in which the bulk of the action takes place, is a scene straight out of "Deliverance." Tattered with garbage, a shrine to Elvis Presley over the hide-a-bed, and various clippings from the National Enquirer on the refrigerator, the stage provides a perfect backdrop for the backward, country lifestyle that is the Pewsy's. The play opens with the return of Dowd Pewsy (played by :had Bush) after a twelve sojourn to Philadelphia. He come back to introduce his bride Penny (played by Tara igherty) who, with blond hair, eyes, and overwhelming (ervescence is the complete ►site of the Pewsy's. Penny ►ediately catches the idering eyes and hands of id's father, Red (played by Thornton), who is celebrating acquisition of a new "hot" car. rd is welcomed graciously by mother, Andreas (played by Mc.) with whom he had an ;estuous affair before his ►urney to Philadelphia. The final iece of the Pewsy puzzle is ;hter Scarlett, performed by &,,fi' V al ata, 7 3204 Buffalo Road COMICS Marvel*DC*Dark Horse Independents Subscriptions -- Only $5 Many Golden & Silver Age Supplies Will Special Order 899-8988 affair Loci Allen—by far the most talented actress in the play. The story centers around Scarlett, and her particularly dysfunctional relationships with each of her family members. The constant recipient of verbal abuse by the entire family, Scarlett regresses into a primal state, complete with barking, biting, and voodo-esque rituals, in which she wishes harm things to those around her Those are the facts. Intriguing, sure. Funny, most definitely. Shocking, well you'll have to see it to believe it. Coyote Ugly is like a Jerry Springer show from Hell, brought to life by five very talented actors and actresses. The cast portrays an actual family realistically, adding a shocking realness to the racy subject matter. Also, music is played throughout the theater between scenes--intermezzo-- to reduce "dead air" and help the play flow from one hilarious scene to the next, a technique frequently used in the Roadhouse Theater. Coyote Ugly was written by Lynn Siefert and is directed by Scott McClelland. It will be performed at the Roadhouse Theater, located at 145 W 11th street, until October eleventh. Show times are Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights starting at BPM. Tickets are $B, $6 for students and senior citizens on Thursdays, and $lO, $B . for students and senior citizens on Fridays and Saturdays. I definitely recommend taking in the Coyote Ugly experience. I must warn you, it's for adults, due to the obvious content, adult language, and several instances of full-frontal nudity. PENNSTATE Erie Colleirehrend WRITE \ND frities Soft 'l4 fir r..
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