My wife is an artist and has a better hearing than me. We have three systems set up at home, the theater system which we use for audio/video sources, a stereo system in her garden room with her beloved Sooloos music server, and modest system in my home office. WAF is clearly dated (it goes back decades) and most high-end equipment is designed with form as well as function in mind so WAF is largely irrelevant in the 21st century.
Is Wife Acceptance Factor (WAF) sexist?
Believe our addictive hobby is primarily male dominated. The technical aspects seem to appeal more to men. Or is that in and of itself sexist. There are now a few knowledgeable and astute women reviewers. I am always intrigued by the comments off the few women who identify themselves by name on the Forum. One in particular is quite long winded. I'm sure this has nothing to do with her sex. Although he/she has a name which could be male or female. I always love it when my wife comes to look at the record sleeve of the vinyl playing and rely on her opinion of the fidelity. Not to mention desire and count on her approval of new purchases. But is she also addicted? I don't think so. Does that have anything to do with being a woman. I don't think so. Does she care about the fine nuances? She says not. I would love to hear from women and anyone on this. WAF? I care a lot what things look like. HAF?
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Sorry LOL this isn't what most of you come here to hear, but WAF is certainly sexist. It assumes roles based on antiquated breadwinner/homemaker mentality. No point in denying, it might be less futile to simply acknowledge your inherent isms and grow old without fighting. Is it offensive? Not to me. It's so low on the misogyny totem pole to really get in the way, more of a micro-aggression if anything. Whether or not it bothers you or actual wives themselves is something else. My wife is as hardcore as they come and she laughs at WAF (not with), but she has also run major music venues and dealt with the "boy's club" music industry for 30+ years. There are bigger problems, as long as you're not teaching your children to think like Cro Magnons. |
IMHO if the WAF is a thing for a guy it is okay he mentions it so he can complain or seek advice. If someone takes offense to his use of the term, well, option 1 is he can ignore the protest like I would, or option 2 he can allow himself to be shamed and apologize and squirm his way to a more acceptable term approved by the offended party... like PAF. Lol |
I built my audio system in the basement. Thus I am able to deal with it anyway I want. I understand that my wife likes her things and I like mine. To me, the break up of the nuclear family is the cause of much of the problems that exist today. It is not empowering to try to raise children in a single parent home, it is very hard and sad. ozzy |
"Change...same".... No kidding.... SAF, in the general sense of the use of it, has (imho...and observations....) has tended to refer to 'what the spouse will allow with the (existing furnishings style) in ones' shared habitat. It tends to carry a negative connation, as to 'what will be acceptable, acoustics be damned'. Ones' personal circumstances can and do vary as widely as...well, ones' situations and the choices made within it. As for the acronym, we've moved into a era where 'W' has become, dare I say....obsolete. The majority of relationships are not the typical nuclear family anymore. WAF....is now a minority situation... *L* The confilicts remain...but the 'players' have Changed. ;) As for 'woke'.....I've regarded 'it' as the 'light bulb in ones' consciousness' has stuttered into brilliance....however vague and dim. But it beats SNAFU.... Regards, J |
So, I became attracted to my wife for several reasons. Of course physical attraction was important but other factors contributed. One of them is that I was amazed at the different point of view she had compared to mine. She looks at things differently, see’s beauty in things that I would have ignored and is much more emotional. My stereo system? She has absolutely no interest in it. She also has ZERO interest in visiting Audio stores / shows. Actually, I have met only a few woman that do! I do see a few women at some shows but they look like they would rather be somewhere else. I wonder why? Is there a difference in male /female? Of course! Enjoy it! ozzy |
Yes it is sexist, if only because "wife" implies marriage and marriage is and always has been a sexist institution, even in its new more inclusive forms. Now if the question were: "Is Domestic Partner Acceptability Factor sexist?", the answer would be "no". That's because all it just voices the fair demand to make sure you respect -- indeed actively care about -- your partner's preferences for how your shared space should be occupied and arranged; that, of course, should be mutual, and exercised with generosity on all sides. That said, it is too bad that the "best" sound is to be had in big spaces (unsurprisingly, given the normal contexts of live music), because very few are fortunate enough to have a big space to call their own. Being a passionate hobbyist is about minimizing compromise, and sharing a space absolutely demands it. |
I don't believe that WAF is sexist because it narrowly defines it to being one person - your wife. Using WAF means that one is cares about their wife's concerns, definitely not the same as anti-wife or putting her down in some way. Another way WAF is used is to place a line/limit on ourselves to prevent spousal repercussions - self preservation is a powerful motivator. |
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@bkeske...’sexist’ becomes a discussion issue over ’sexism’, as ’racist’ relates to ’racism’. Another ’buried in the culture’ item, and notable within nearly all human cultures... AOC’s recent retort in the HofR to her encounter with a Congressmans’ epithet (...in front of the press? Very Stupid, and crass @ best...) is a glaring example. These issues are so ingrained that weeding them out will take a few generations of intelligent adults raising ’woke’ children. And even then, who those children find themselves around can ruin the best upbringing one can apply. Related subject: The Confederate Flag The South Lost. But old habits and inclinations live on.... We could discuss these issues here, but I don’t think this is the venue to do so. But consideration of the above should and could be something one could think about when playing ones’ more ’thoughtful’ music....imho. BTW....My SO is a feminist. Was one when I met her some 40+ years ago. I prefer that sort of company on a long-term relationship....and pretty much All of them. |
’sexist’ implies an ’ism’. I don’t think that is the case here. It is simply a reality of the differences between the sexes in regards to general preferences, which does exist. Believe it of not ;-) , there are differences. I’ve been a residential designer for many years, and there its little doubt the woman of the household is much more concerned with the ’decoration aspect’ of the home vs the man of the house (probably 85-95% more concerned). That is just the way it is. I have rarely discussed, in detail, those things with the husband, but the wife worries about those things first, even before we begin the broad floor planning aspects. And, there comes a time when the husband is satisfied with the overall direction, and leaves the rest to the wife. That is just the way it is folks. No ’ism’ involved. The one area I do find the husband more concerned about is how/what their house will look like from the street. That should be no surprise, should it? Are there times when these things flip, or are not as seperate in terms of preference and concern of detail? Yes, but it is much more rare. Large speakers, or an equipment rack within a room, and exposed to become part of the decor, are just a part of that difference I’ve seen over many many years. |
Off course it is sexist. Every difference between people can have a positive or negative connotation (all in the eye of the beholder). I like being a sexist between the sheets. 😜 But for audio... I don’t care and the stereo doesn’t care either. It can be a good thing. My spouse has a better ear for harshness and she has a deeper understanding of value/cost. So WAF is a good thing in my opinion. Is there a MAF/TAF/GAF/LAF factor in audio btw (to be inclusive)? Like a Male Acceptance Factor? (only accepting ugly equipment, it must have a macho look with a lot of blinking leds, it must be big, bold, and impressive etc...) Or are we just happy nerds that need to be convinced with a good technobabble story to appreciate something. |
Significant Other Approval Factor...SOAF SO....about as neutral as one could hope for...mho... Beautiful vs.ugly remains in the minds’ eye of the beholder. And is applied to nearly Everything, an in every conceivable way. My 2 cents....and, given inflation and the current state of the economies of our common planet... ...worth nil. :l |
It is not sexist. It does not make any claims about one sex being superior to another. The term does depend on there being more men in the audio purchasing world than women. If and when that ever changes, then it will still not be sexist, but it will be less relevant and possibly replaced with HAF. :) |
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23k posts and poof, gone. Erased. Well, not quite. Beholdhttps://forum.audiogon.com/users/geoffkaitWill they now remove his whole posting history? If we can't mention his name that would be the next Stalinist, er I mean logical step. |
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