In a recent post from the Chicago Tribune Blog, Shopping Guide Ellen Warren discovers the joys of boutique hotel gift shops. I don't do my shopping in hotels so normally I wouldn't care but then I saw this little item:

"Store manager Allison Worrell and I agree that it's kind of sexist to call the packet of female overnight necessities the "Shame on You Kit" ($28) while the guy's version of similar items is labeled "Clean Getaway Kit" ($30). Each contains undies, condoms, toothbrush and such and -- this is a nice touch -- a little blank "leave behind note" to fill in with some sweet nothings." (emphasis added)

Kind of sexist? How about completely, amazingly, disgustingly sexist. The names of these kits play into long held stereotypes that women who want sex are dirty sluts while men who want sex are suave lady's men. Additionally, it appears that the hotel is assuming everyone buying the kit is having an affair. Either way, women are put down and men are praised.My guess is that the hotel would pass these names off as a cheeky joke. That's hard for me to accept when I talk to women every day at Babeland who carry around amazing amounts of shame about their bodies and about wanting sex and pleasure. Women are rarely allowed to create their own sense of their sexuality but instead are dubbed sexy, frigid, slutty, or girl-next-door by anyone interested in sleeping with them. I vividly remember feeling shame and guilt after my first one night stand - even though I enjoyed myself immensely. The moment it was over, I had two competing voices in my head: one telling me I had done something horrible and the person I slept with thought I was "easy" and the other reminding me that I'd had a great time and that's all that mattered. I know I'm not the only one and I'm lucky because I had that second voice there to remind me of the most important thing.Babeland has fun kits in hotels in New York and Seattle but I can guarantee you they're not going to make women feel horrible for wanting sex.