Kleenex 'Mansize' tissues getting a rebrand following sexism complaints
Kleenex is dropping its ‘Mansize’ branded tissue boxes following complaints that the description is sexist.
Following consumer feedback, the company have announced plans to change the name of the tissues to ‘Extra Large.’
Though a launch date has not yet been announced, Kleenex have told customers to are yet to “keep an eye out in shops” for the new boxes.
Details of the change emerged on the company’s official Twitter feed following social media complaints from customers that describing the tissues as ‘mansize’ was sexist.
Hi @Kleenex_UK. My 4yo son asked me what was written here. Then he asked, why are they called mansize? Can girls, boys & mummies use them? I said: I don’t know & yes of course. He suggests you should call them “very large tissues”. It is 2018 pic.twitter.com/SeOg32RsDV
— Lisa Hancox (@LisaMHancox) October 10, 2018
Really @Kleenex ? Do women have different colds to men which mean they have different tissues? pic.twitter.com/fbwv3ZrTBp
— Douglas Butt (@dougpeterbutt) October 7, 2018
Kleenex Ditches ‘Mansize’ Tissues. Please Say This Is The End Of Sexist Marketing https://t.co/YmsiCBrR8r pic.twitter.com/qfeHIChgi3
— Cook Madness! (@Cook_Madness) October 18, 2018
Thank you for sharing your concern. We recently made changes to our Mansize branding and will now be labeled as Extra Large keep an eye out in shops. If you would like more information please fill up our form https://t.co/Qcpf8jokzY or call our consumer service 0800 626 008.
— Kleenex (@Kleenex_UK) October 12, 2018
But not everyone is convinced the move is a good idea with some taking to Twitter to express their dismay at the whole furore.
If you are offended by ‘Mansize’ tissues, please find something more productive to be offended about. https://t.co/53acuHM8vE
— Kate Andrews (@KateAndrs) October 18, 2018
Kleenex bins ‘Mansize’ tissues. Im sorry but this is what is wrong with the world. People going out of their way to be offended by nothing. Wise up. https://t.co/6ief5XDguO
— Joe McDonnell (@mcdonnell_joe) October 18, 2018
Kleenex aren’t the only brand to find themselves in hot water about alleged ‘sexist’ labelling of their products.
Supermarket chain Waitrose has also revealed it plans to change the name of its Gentleman’s Smoked Chicken Caesar Roll following consumer complaints of sexism.
The roll, which is from Heston Blumenthal’s range, contains anchovy mayonnaise, similar to Gentleman’s Relish anchovy paste.
The supermarket issued an apology after a Twitter user posted an image of the product on Twitter.
I never knew sandwiches were gender specific 👀 I’m female but thankfully @waitrose let me purchase this anyway 😏 pic.twitter.com/2KyVj2qG72
— Amy Lamé (@amylame) October 16, 2018
She also tagged the organisation Everyday Sexism, which documents sexism experienced on a day-to-day basis.
A Waitrose spokesperson said: “It’s never our intention to cause offence – we’re not dictating who should eat this sandwich. We hope anyone who tries it will love the distinctive flavours.
“However, we are planning to change the name of the sandwich soon.”
Earlier this year Doritos also caused uproar online after consumers believed they were planning to introduce ‘lady-friendly’ crisps.
PepsiCo (the company that owns Doritos) claimed their research revealed women do not like to crunch loudly or lick their fingers when eating in front of others, which many took as a hint that the company were planning to launch special packs designed to fit into women’s handbags.
But following ridicule online it was revealed that there are actually no plans for lady crisps in the offing.
“We already have Doritos for women — they’re called Doritos,” the company said in a statement.
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