fredasmith

It is worth mentioning that an employee of the council cannot stand to be a councillor and stay in their job. As the council provide employment to a higher number of ladies than of gentlemen (thanks, perhaps, to the flexible working, and slightly less chance of being chucked out of a job if you become pregnant) that might explain why there are fewer ladies in a position to get involved. That or they have childcare commitments and a part time job that would frown upon them leaving to go to meetings. I understand that they don't want to pay councillors too much, but it's not really accessible for anyone that doesn't have a supplemental income, and has bills to pay. Would be interested to hear other people's opinions on why more young 'uns don't get involved.

They sound quite bigoted. They said it with a teasing tone, but they were still pointing out that the dolls are generally considered a slightly awkward relic of the past. Trying to explain the number of Shetlanders in blackface at Up Helly Aa, however... eek.

I took my boyfriend and his parents past the shop, and they were like "Oh it's like that up here is it?" and I was quite embarrassed. Even if the doll itself is not technically offensive, the connections people have with them are not so positive.