wstonehocker96
Well-known member
It is absurd that there are not enough female vacuum collectors out there. The idea of a female vacuum collector is to add diversity. It's not just a male thing.
Not Enough Female Vacuum Collectors
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kirbyklekter
Well-known member
Not a "Good ole boy" hobby
I don't think there's anyone holding women back from collecting vacuum cleaners it's a matter of personal choice and interest. They are certainly welcome to participate in the hobby. I'm a member of WACEM, we also collect electric mixers,and there are a lot of female collectors there because they like mixers. If they had an interest in vacuum cleaners, they'd collect vacuum cleaners! Join or don't join any collector clubs and collect all you want or admire without collecting, the choice is yours as it should be. Have fun.
I don't think there's anyone holding women back from collecting vacuum cleaners it's a matter of personal choice and interest. They are certainly welcome to participate in the hobby. I'm a member of WACEM, we also collect electric mixers,and there are a lot of female collectors there because they like mixers. If they had an interest in vacuum cleaners, they'd collect vacuum cleaners! Join or don't join any collector clubs and collect all you want or admire without collecting, the choice is yours as it should be. Have fun.
electromatik
Well-known member
Now that this subject has been breached...
I have often looked back thru the archived pages of vacuum meets and conventions. There used to be a lady named Tania who showed up in many of these photos. Yet, I see no evidence that this person is here any longer.
Not to seem nosy, but what happened to this person??
I have often looked back thru the archived pages of vacuum meets and conventions. There used to be a lady named Tania who showed up in many of these photos. Yet, I see no evidence that this person is here any longer.
Not to seem nosy, but what happened to this person??
human
Well-known member
There was also a lady named Michelle (luxy1205) who used to post here regularly but the last couple of times I saw anything from her, she made a point of saying she was more active on Facebook these days. I always enjoyed her posts as she was a pretty colorful character.
madman
Well-known member
Ah yes, just what we need. Affirmative action.
>_>
>_>
We’re easy enough to find if they want to get involved…..
If there’s a lack of female participation in vacuum collecting then it could just be one of those things. Everything about vacuum collecting is out there for anyone who wants to participate. We can’t exactly drum up prospective female collectors to get them involved simply because they’re women. That would be insincere [this post was last edited: 10/25/2021-11:11]
If there’s a lack of female participation in vacuum collecting then it could just be one of those things. Everything about vacuum collecting is out there for anyone who wants to participate. We can’t exactly drum up prospective female collectors to get them involved simply because they’re women. That would be insincere [this post was last edited: 10/25/2021-11:11]
Tania, The "First Lady of Vacs' is still
very much alive. She s is a member of the VCCC and attends the conventions. Many of us have been to her home. I'm anticipating her coming to Scranton in June.
very much alive. She s is a member of the VCCC and attends the conventions. Many of us have been to her home. I'm anticipating her coming to Scranton in June.
electromatik
Well-known member
Glad to hear she is still active with the vacuum collecting/interest community. Pity she doesn't post here more often.
It is strange that there aren't more. Stereotypically, women were deemed the "housework" duties and should theoretically be interested than men, but of course we see worldwide that isn't necessarily the case.
My explanation remains the same. A vacuum is a machine/gadget, and men are well known to love messing with and understanding gadgetry. Not to suggest that women "can't" or shouldn't. If they are not interested, they can't be forced. They aren't blocked from it. If they want, it's here for them too.
It is strange that there aren't more. Stereotypically, women were deemed the "housework" duties and should theoretically be interested than men, but of course we see worldwide that isn't necessarily the case.
My explanation remains the same. A vacuum is a machine/gadget, and men are well known to love messing with and understanding gadgetry. Not to suggest that women "can't" or shouldn't. If they are not interested, they can't be forced. They aren't blocked from it. If they want, it's here for them too.
dysonman1
Well-known member
I've known Tania for more than 25 years. She is the only woman I've met in my entire life who is an active vacuum collector. The late Ruth Hollander was in the vacuum cleaner business and sold thousands of Compacts and Filter Queens, but she didn't collect them and hated to use them. When I was 12 or so, I would go to her store on Saturdays to help her with the (very easy) repairs of those two brands and also I've vacuum her store (with a Filter Queen) because she didn't like vacuuming. She was a brilliant cook.
Perhaps because historically women were 'expected' to clean the house. While many women prized the early models because there were such a tremendous help with a difficult chore, I've never met any women who see vacuums as anything other than a tool, like a mop, that you clean house with.
Perhaps because historically women were 'expected' to clean the house. While many women prized the early models because there were such a tremendous help with a difficult chore, I've never met any women who see vacuums as anything other than a tool, like a mop, that you clean house with.
human
Well-known member
Battle of the Sexes...
At the risk of sounding misogynistic, there is often a difference in the way women and men perceive things. When a device such as a vacuum quits working satisfactorily, women see it as a nuisance--either fix it quickly or replace it--while men will often relish it as a technical challenge. I can think of two examples to support this:
1. When I was married, my step-daughter messed up my Eureka Princess canister by using it as a shop vac to suck up dry cat food she'd spilled. Okay, I'll give her credit for having at least tried to clean up after herself. When I couldn't fix it in five minutes, my (now ex) wife insisted that it was now useless and had to go out with the next load to Goodwill.
2. A (now former) girlfriend complained that the Kirby Heritage 1 she'd borrowed from me a couple of years earlier (and which I never got back) wasn't working right and insisted I take it and fix it. I found the brush roll was completely encased in her long, brown hair. She hadn't even bothered to look and see why it wasn't working. A few minutes of working with a pair of scissors and my pocket knife and it was good to go. While I should have just kept the machine, I polished it up and gave it back. When I tried to tell her what the problem was and how I had fixed it so she could take care of it the next time, she just glazed over with complete disinterest. Of course, when she first borrowed that machine, her Oreck XL quickly disappeared into the dumpster. I'm sure the brush roll was in the same condition.
In both cases, it was a matter of 'doesn't work--fix it or get rid of it--NOW!'.
At the risk of sounding misogynistic, there is often a difference in the way women and men perceive things. When a device such as a vacuum quits working satisfactorily, women see it as a nuisance--either fix it quickly or replace it--while men will often relish it as a technical challenge. I can think of two examples to support this:
1. When I was married, my step-daughter messed up my Eureka Princess canister by using it as a shop vac to suck up dry cat food she'd spilled. Okay, I'll give her credit for having at least tried to clean up after herself. When I couldn't fix it in five minutes, my (now ex) wife insisted that it was now useless and had to go out with the next load to Goodwill.
2. A (now former) girlfriend complained that the Kirby Heritage 1 she'd borrowed from me a couple of years earlier (and which I never got back) wasn't working right and insisted I take it and fix it. I found the brush roll was completely encased in her long, brown hair. She hadn't even bothered to look and see why it wasn't working. A few minutes of working with a pair of scissors and my pocket knife and it was good to go. While I should have just kept the machine, I polished it up and gave it back. When I tried to tell her what the problem was and how I had fixed it so she could take care of it the next time, she just glazed over with complete disinterest. Of course, when she first borrowed that machine, her Oreck XL quickly disappeared into the dumpster. I'm sure the brush roll was in the same condition.
In both cases, it was a matter of 'doesn't work--fix it or get rid of it--NOW!'.
dysonman1
Well-known member
I spend 40 hours a week satisfying women. I've satisfied more women in one week than most men do in a lifetime. And I can tell you, men and women are very different when they bring in a vacuum to be repaired.
Women only want to know how much it will cost to fix it. They generally don't really even want the technical details, they just want it fixed.
Most repairs are due to the brush roll/belt. Women who have long hair don't clean the brush often enough, as a general rule. And thank God they don't. I charge them $30 to do that and change the belt. Let them come in as often as the brush is covered with hair.
Men, as a rule, will have tried to find out the problem first. Even if it is just a cursory look, they will have at least tried to figure out what the problem may be. Many try to fix it themselves, and Thank God for that. I call them basket cases because they bring them in a basket. All the screws and pieces. For me to figure out. And I do. At $50 a half hour.
Because men have long had to deal with auto parts stores, men tend to come to the shop knowing what brand and model they have (most have a picture in their phone). Most women do not. They know it's a "blue" rice car or a 'silver' kirby.
But that's how I spend my days. Solving problems with vacuums. Women make up my customers 10 to 1. It's such a rare day when a women comes in knowing what she has and what she wants, that I'm somewhat taken aback when they do. I sure do like those kinds of women.
Women only want to know how much it will cost to fix it. They generally don't really even want the technical details, they just want it fixed.
Most repairs are due to the brush roll/belt. Women who have long hair don't clean the brush often enough, as a general rule. And thank God they don't. I charge them $30 to do that and change the belt. Let them come in as often as the brush is covered with hair.
Men, as a rule, will have tried to find out the problem first. Even if it is just a cursory look, they will have at least tried to figure out what the problem may be. Many try to fix it themselves, and Thank God for that. I call them basket cases because they bring them in a basket. All the screws and pieces. For me to figure out. And I do. At $50 a half hour.
Because men have long had to deal with auto parts stores, men tend to come to the shop knowing what brand and model they have (most have a picture in their phone). Most women do not. They know it's a "blue" rice car or a 'silver' kirby.
But that's how I spend my days. Solving problems with vacuums. Women make up my customers 10 to 1. It's such a rare day when a women comes in knowing what she has and what she wants, that I'm somewhat taken aback when they do. I sure do like those kinds of women.
vacuumdevil
Well-known member
Cringe.
oliveoiltinfoil
Well-known member
Why are you advocating for "more women" just because? What will that add to the community? Are you trying to be so tolerant that you've gone full circle and somewhat forcing one type of person to do something because it "adds diversity"?
I see this everywhere and its kind of disgusting. Men and women are different. Men like cars. Women like jewellery. Im not here to debate the technicalities and am full aware the lines cross, and that's okay.
There is nothing "absurd" that when choose to like things that men do not, and that men have preference which differ to women. It boils down to basic biology, how our brains are wired, its instinctive and has been this way since the beginning of man.
I dont think for one moment anyone here is stopping women from joining, much the same as a man in a respectable business has stopped a woman from getting a job because of her anatomy. Ultimately, the best person for the job, regardless of what's between their legs, who they choose to bed or what pigments make up their skin.
The same applies for hobbies.
I see this everywhere and its kind of disgusting. Men and women are different. Men like cars. Women like jewellery. Im not here to debate the technicalities and am full aware the lines cross, and that's okay.
There is nothing "absurd" that when choose to like things that men do not, and that men have preference which differ to women. It boils down to basic biology, how our brains are wired, its instinctive and has been this way since the beginning of man.
I dont think for one moment anyone here is stopping women from joining, much the same as a man in a respectable business has stopped a woman from getting a job because of her anatomy. Ultimately, the best person for the job, regardless of what's between their legs, who they choose to bed or what pigments make up their skin.
The same applies for hobbies.
It would be nice if…
We could give this topic whatever attention it deserves in “Miscellaneous” and not in “Contemporary”.
We could give this topic whatever attention it deserves in “Miscellaneous” and not in “Contemporary”.
Women are from Venus and men are from Mars
Yep…this is why. I really think they think differently…generally..Now I have noticed something interesting….as a member of the gay community….some…not all…lesbians are more into fixing things more like men. Also we should take a notation of how many of us vacuum collectors are gay men and how many are not?
Now sexuality really has nothing to do with collecting vacuums…or does it? For me (remind you I am a homosexual person whether I wanted it or not) homosexuality seems to be a “defect” from the basics of how the human body was created when speaking in terms of sexuality. The male and female bodies were created differently but when mated can procreate. Homosexual mating cannot do so of course. So for so,some, who truly has strictly homosexual sexual desires…something must be “defective” or crossed somewhere…whether it’s genetic or in the brain or what have you…it clearly isn’t in line with the basics of procreation. Now I’m not poo pooing homosexuality as the word “defect” could construe a negative connotation with it…but I’m more at a loss for an appropriate word to explain my thought that would not give a negative connotation. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with alternative sexual desires or behaviors aside from heterosexual relations. We also must consider that there are people who are born with alternate sexual parts, or both…and those people are still, and unfortunately hidden in a closet or much less welcomed or talked about. And then those who identify with the opposite sex from what they have and look like. So this whole gender world has many and various varieties and to me, it’s more of a “defect” from the standard or “norm” of heterosexuality. Even people who identify as heterosexual can be “defective” in some way in their sexuality…those adults who desire children sexually unfortunately, or men for example who desire or think of and in certain things that perhaps is more “normal” for women to desire. I know plenty of heterosexual women who actually prefer to see if they can fix something rather than rely on a man for example. Are they then partially “defective” too because they are different than the “norm” for women. Keep in mind “normal” is a term the world has come up with and means “majority” and that should be all, but unfortunately and that word has been construed as a “greatness and the best and so on” and anything else as alternative to “normal” has been given a negative and is looked at as frowned upon. It’s just like racism. People who frown at alternative sexuality from heterosexuality are just as bad as those who are are discriminating at something that isn’t “their norm”.
Now back to how all this applies to the smaller amount of women vacuum collectors. It’s interesting because my Sister for example actually has a significant number of vacuums…all of which are owned for practical use…but she has remarked at how she does like our Grandmother’s vintage Electrolux XXX which I have and can see putting it on display with other vintage items she has as she likes to collect antiques.
So from a “norm” standpoint…I think we can conclude that women are less likely to collect tools but more decorative things and a vacuum is a tool. We can also observe that more men who collect vacuums are homosexual…why is this? Perhaps because we are collecting a tool that was used to keep a home clean, and for a long time was delegated as “woman’s work”…to keep a home. And often part of being homosexual is identifying with certain things wowen do.
It is normal nature for females to “nest” particularly when they are pregnant. This involves making a home or a nest and cleaning is part of this task. It is seen in many living creatures, not just humans. So perhaps many gay males inherit this “nesting” or “homemaking” desire as part of their sexuality and hence desire to vacuum but it gets intermixed with the male nature to make and fix tools to forage for food. And therefore we have men who like to collect and are fascinated with a woman’s tool!
I don’t know…it’s just my two cents worth and seems to explain it to me.
I think perhaps we might see more women who would be interested in the “contemporary” threads because many of these deal with modern day vacuums and what is liked and disliked, observed, and repairs!fixing and so on. I get this feeling because when my partner has brought up at a social gathering with heterosexual couples that I collect and like vacuums, women do like to talk about them to a degree and often ask what brands I like and why. Likely because they see it as a useful tool and are looking for something better than what they currently have for the task. But often their discussion is limited to the practicality of the vacuum rather than the collectibility of a vintage vacuum.
Jon
Yep…this is why. I really think they think differently…generally..Now I have noticed something interesting….as a member of the gay community….some…not all…lesbians are more into fixing things more like men. Also we should take a notation of how many of us vacuum collectors are gay men and how many are not?
Now sexuality really has nothing to do with collecting vacuums…or does it? For me (remind you I am a homosexual person whether I wanted it or not) homosexuality seems to be a “defect” from the basics of how the human body was created when speaking in terms of sexuality. The male and female bodies were created differently but when mated can procreate. Homosexual mating cannot do so of course. So for so,some, who truly has strictly homosexual sexual desires…something must be “defective” or crossed somewhere…whether it’s genetic or in the brain or what have you…it clearly isn’t in line with the basics of procreation. Now I’m not poo pooing homosexuality as the word “defect” could construe a negative connotation with it…but I’m more at a loss for an appropriate word to explain my thought that would not give a negative connotation. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with alternative sexual desires or behaviors aside from heterosexual relations. We also must consider that there are people who are born with alternate sexual parts, or both…and those people are still, and unfortunately hidden in a closet or much less welcomed or talked about. And then those who identify with the opposite sex from what they have and look like. So this whole gender world has many and various varieties and to me, it’s more of a “defect” from the standard or “norm” of heterosexuality. Even people who identify as heterosexual can be “defective” in some way in their sexuality…those adults who desire children sexually unfortunately, or men for example who desire or think of and in certain things that perhaps is more “normal” for women to desire. I know plenty of heterosexual women who actually prefer to see if they can fix something rather than rely on a man for example. Are they then partially “defective” too because they are different than the “norm” for women. Keep in mind “normal” is a term the world has come up with and means “majority” and that should be all, but unfortunately and that word has been construed as a “greatness and the best and so on” and anything else as alternative to “normal” has been given a negative and is looked at as frowned upon. It’s just like racism. People who frown at alternative sexuality from heterosexuality are just as bad as those who are are discriminating at something that isn’t “their norm”.
Now back to how all this applies to the smaller amount of women vacuum collectors. It’s interesting because my Sister for example actually has a significant number of vacuums…all of which are owned for practical use…but she has remarked at how she does like our Grandmother’s vintage Electrolux XXX which I have and can see putting it on display with other vintage items she has as she likes to collect antiques.
So from a “norm” standpoint…I think we can conclude that women are less likely to collect tools but more decorative things and a vacuum is a tool. We can also observe that more men who collect vacuums are homosexual…why is this? Perhaps because we are collecting a tool that was used to keep a home clean, and for a long time was delegated as “woman’s work”…to keep a home. And often part of being homosexual is identifying with certain things wowen do.
It is normal nature for females to “nest” particularly when they are pregnant. This involves making a home or a nest and cleaning is part of this task. It is seen in many living creatures, not just humans. So perhaps many gay males inherit this “nesting” or “homemaking” desire as part of their sexuality and hence desire to vacuum but it gets intermixed with the male nature to make and fix tools to forage for food. And therefore we have men who like to collect and are fascinated with a woman’s tool!
I don’t know…it’s just my two cents worth and seems to explain it to me.
I think perhaps we might see more women who would be interested in the “contemporary” threads because many of these deal with modern day vacuums and what is liked and disliked, observed, and repairs!fixing and so on. I get this feeling because when my partner has brought up at a social gathering with heterosexual couples that I collect and like vacuums, women do like to talk about them to a degree and often ask what brands I like and why. Likely because they see it as a useful tool and are looking for something better than what they currently have for the task. But often their discussion is limited to the practicality of the vacuum rather than the collectibility of a vintage vacuum.
Jon
We should also consider and look at
Who is on the development and engineering teams of vacuum cleaners? Men or women? How many if so? I bet it’s more male than female. Men instinctively are creators and refiners of tools while women are more users and “doers”. Nature gave men more the nature to out and find the food for the family which has them creating tools to do so while women more nurture the young which has them doing things and using tools to do so. No doubt though women are included or are the majority in focus groups on product development teams for vacuums and if not, they certainly should be as the end users…but perhaps if that is done do women actually have much to add? Maybe their thought would be to create the robotic vacuum…so that they don’t have to do the task at all but just put the tool into use. Hmm
Sort of like the automatic washer …far better than a washboard and a double wash basin..it eliminates the task of actually washing, rinsing and wringing out the clothes and does it all automatically.
Now if we could invent an automatic clothes folding machine the world would be a better place!
Jon
Who is on the development and engineering teams of vacuum cleaners? Men or women? How many if so? I bet it’s more male than female. Men instinctively are creators and refiners of tools while women are more users and “doers”. Nature gave men more the nature to out and find the food for the family which has them creating tools to do so while women more nurture the young which has them doing things and using tools to do so. No doubt though women are included or are the majority in focus groups on product development teams for vacuums and if not, they certainly should be as the end users…but perhaps if that is done do women actually have much to add? Maybe their thought would be to create the robotic vacuum…so that they don’t have to do the task at all but just put the tool into use. Hmm
Sort of like the automatic washer …far better than a washboard and a double wash basin..it eliminates the task of actually washing, rinsing and wringing out the clothes and does it all automatically.
Now if we could invent an automatic clothes folding machine the world would be a better place!
Jon
rugsucker
Well-known member
"--development----of vacuum cleaners--"
Jo-There was a woman designer who who developed the first Kenmore canister using 5055 bags which was a big improvement over those using 5023.I have more on this in a book of womens achievements.
Tom-How many times have you tried to explain to women that setting an upright to the lowest height does NOT make it clean better?
Jo-There was a woman designer who who developed the first Kenmore canister using 5055 bags which was a big improvement over those using 5023.I have more on this in a book of womens achievements.
Tom-How many times have you tried to explain to women that setting an upright to the lowest height does NOT make it clean better?
fan-of-fans
Well-known member
Honestly, most men I know aren't interested in repairing or using things like household appliances or vacuum cleaners.
They might be interested in things like guns, cars or boats and fixing those. But things such as vacuums or mixers for example, they don't have any interest in using or repairing, and most don't even care about owning either. To them it's a "woman's" thing and vacuums and crock pots are for women and they couldn't even tell you what kind they have or whether they even own any.
All they know about is how to make a gun work or a truck run. Other electrical things they seem clueless about.
They might be interested in things like guns, cars or boats and fixing those. But things such as vacuums or mixers for example, they don't have any interest in using or repairing, and most don't even care about owning either. To them it's a "woman's" thing and vacuums and crock pots are for women and they couldn't even tell you what kind they have or whether they even own any.
All they know about is how to make a gun work or a truck run. Other electrical things they seem clueless about.
I have vacuums,appliances-yes,mixers and---guns!Know how all of them work.BUT----I HATE working on cars and trucks.And at work run and fix BIG SW transmitters.
