Hooters workers outraged by panties-style uniform

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American restaurant Hooters has launched its new uniform. And, to put it mildly, employees are not impressed. In the last couple of weeks, several videos in which waitresses criticize the pants have gone viral. Well, I can understand why.

 

Pants or panties?

The American restaurant chain has been around since 1983 and is infamous for its waitresses and their skimpy uniforms. Until recently, the ladies wore short orange pants, low-cut tops, and push-up bras. And that is hooters trademark: beautiful, slim, and sexy waitresses.

Hooters ladies are no strangers to working in revealing clothing, but there are limits, as we see again. The new pants don’t even look like pants anymore, but more like briefs. The staff took matters into their own hands and shared their thoughts on TikTok.

@ggnguyen

what’s that supposed to fit?!? #hooterstiktok #hooter #hootersgirl #StudentSectionSauce

♬ KeyKey Palmer – ConTejas

Hooters workers outraged by panties-style uniform

According to a Hooters spokesperson, the new pants are “the result of a collaboration with Hooters Girls and have been worn for months at several restaurants in Texas with overwhelmingly positive feedback.” The company now has 445 restaurants in 29 countries, and it seems not everyone is happy with these mini pants.

In light of these complaints, Hooters has adjusted the policy to prevent more problems. From now on, the ladies can choose between the classic pants and the new model. In an interview with Business Insider, the company’s spokesperson said they are “excited to see a national trend toward self-expression and inclusiveness that bodes well for our marketplace.”

 

Don’t make me laugh

Wait a second. Is Hooters suddenly talking about self-expression and inclusivity? The company that only hires young women with an appearance that fits the Western ideal of beauty? Who forces the ladies to heat style their hair regardless of whether they have straight or curly hair? Hair should also not be colored or tied up. Jewelry is prohibited, lip gloss is mandatory, and they must cover up tattoos with foundation. They need the latter anyway, as wearing foundation on the face is also mandatory. I could go on.

I wonder if a company that has set so many rules can even talk about self-expression and inclusivity. Because these two terms are at odds with what Hooters stands for. Even though some branches have become a little more lenient with the rules, there is still a long way to go before you can talk about these two terms. If you are curious about all the rules and the background of this company, check out Natalia Taylor’s YouTube video. It becomes painfully clear what exactly goes on behind the scenes and what the consequences are.

I’m glad we don’t have Hooters in the Netherlands…

 

Greetings,

Aileen