female vs male employees.

[bodman]

One of my distributors says DO NOT USE MALE ATTENDANTS. He has taken polls and reports woman do not like guys around their private garments. Men will loose you business , WHAT is your opinion .

[WhatwasIThinkin]

not sure. I have heard that before too.
I just bought 2 stores. One has men doing WDF and they do a great job. The other store has a manager that says Men will not do WDF in that store" personally, customers don't know who is doing their stuff after they drop it off and if a guy does a good job, give it a try.

[DirtyLaundry]

Hmm, customers want females to do their laundry, but is OK to have a man dryclean their garments??? IMO, a good employee is a good employee, no matter what gender, age, or race.

[Silent Roo]

There are also studies that prove customers would rather have a female server at a restraunt, Convience store, checker, help in a clothing store.....

It is also well known that customers do not like having to tote their close to a laundry
It is also well known that customers do not like folding their laundry in front of others
It is also well known that they do not like their delicates on display in dryers
It is also well known that they do not like toting their delicates through busy parking lots.

These are all facts from studies I have done for customers (as a distributer)

So what we see is we should have laundries in our house.....

Yes a man may cost you however if you hire somewhat clean cut studies also show customer feel safer....

[Rich]

I have had male and female attendants. As long as they are clean cut and polite I don't think it makes much of a differance. Although I do try to stick with females. I did have one young male attendant (24 maybe). Nice kid but lazy, did what he had to but that was it. But the customars absolutly loved him, when ever I went in the store and he wasn't working that day some one would always ask where's Frank, how is he, ect. Anyway I do try to stick with females, and over 40 is best. Its my store I'll hire who I want, no more kids.

[george]

I have a couple who do the fluff & fold Biz. The husband has a really good sense of humor & the customers ask for him by name.
But I wonder if I would do more biz from women i it was just the woman doing the fnf.

Gb

[fishmanz]

I was told this when I first started and have found no evidence to back it up. I work the store every day and the ladies hand me their panties with a smile. Perhaps old ladies don't like it but they are not the bulk of the drop off. Perhaps if I were some ugly old guy it would be different.

I wonder how some folks look me in the eye knowing I have seen their ,well you know what I mean. LOL

[wdbgelaundromat]

I understand what everyone is say about customers aprehensive about their delicates. I too have had customers that prefer our women attendants to do their WDF.

One day I had a 20ish girl ask if I could switch her clothes from the wash to the dryer. I am not exaggerating she had left an entire 30lb washer full of Exotic underwear (Thongs).

[pete f]

I understand what everyone is say about customers aprehensive about their delicates. I too have had customers that prefer our women attendants to do their WDF.

One day I had a 20ish girl ask if I could switch her clothes from the wash to the dryer. I am not exaggerating she had left an entire 30lb washer full of Exotic underwear (Thongs).

some are not as shy as others, then again some like to show off:)
I bought a mat that has some w/d/f and attendant. I told the attendant she could keep all the w/d/f in return for cleaning. She quit, I went unattended. In time customers told me they did not like her telling them how to do laundry, watching them fold their underwear and such. Good decision on my part. As for cleaning help, which is only what I hire, I agree a middle aged woman will be the best bet. A man will not clean as well, but may be better at other things, like taking out garbage, cleaning up the outside., however the woman will do this anyway. Before you hire anyone look inside their car or visit them at their house to see what type of cleaner they will be.

[ajay]

whenever I work at my store, w&f customers always ask " where's the lady".....I won't ever hire a male and if the ad(job warranted) is worded correctly it's not discrimination either.

On the other hand, my dad did over $600 worth of w&f weekly for 20 years before he retired - no one ever asked him where's the lady.

ajay

[TLR]

I have a male manager - 70+ years old - and he will only hire women - due to stealing issue and threat issue to him. He does WDF as well as the women attendants - and i have never had a complaint.

TLR

[Monarch]

The key to the whole thing is perception. I do understand that many women would be hesitant to let men see their scanties. But I think that a great deal will depend on the appearance and conduct of the man. I don't think they would be comfortable with a kid, but a more mature man might be acceptable. And there cannot be even the slightest hint of any suggestive comments or looks. Strictly business all the time, for all customers. And their conduct must be well above reproach with children. It is unfortunate that in this day and age, we must be suspect of everyone all the time. For 24 years, I baby sat at church. I am not a believer as such, but when my family was at Mass, I would baby sit those who did not want the distraction of having small babies and pre-schoolers during worship. I gavee this up several years ago, because I heard in a round about way that some parents were uncomfortable leaving their offspring with a man. "how do we know he isn't some sort of pervert?" This is in spite of the fact that even as a volunteer I had to have background check and go through a program called Diocesisan Avartis, to be cleared to do the job. People are just too leary of a man doing that sort of thing.

So as the title suggests, It is not a matter of whether a man can DO the job, but how will your customer perceive him in that role. And this will not be the same where ever you go, Some areas more liberal minded and some very conservative. I also think that if the male involved is the Owner, it will be seen one way, but as an employee it may be seen another. You have to sort that part out yourself.

JMHO

Norman Martin

[george]

One day I had a 20ish girl ask if I could switch her clothes from the wash to the dryer. I am not exaggerating she had left an entire 30lb washer full of Exotic underwear (Thongs).

Damn, how come this never happens to me.....