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Chinese Tech Companies Hire 'Cheerleaders' To Motivate Programmers

Posted by timothy on from the different-strokes dept.

HughPickens.com writes: Lauren O'Neil writes at CBC News that internet companies "across China" are hiring "pretty, talented girls that help create a fun work environment." Dubbed "programming cheerleaders," these young women serve to chit-chat, play Ping-Pong with employees as part of their role, and sometimes smile and clap for male employees who play guitar in the office, as indicated by photos posted to the news service's verified "Trending in China" Facebook page. "According to the HR manager of an Internet company that hired three such cheerleaders, its programmers are mostly male and terrible at socializing," reads China.org.cn's Facebook post. "The presence of these girls have greatly improved their job efficiency and motivation."

However people from all over the world have weighed in to decry the reported role. "This is degrading — both to the 'cheerleaders' and the programmers," wrote one commenter on the original post. "Look at the face of the poor woman programmer in the second picture. Stereotypical 'bro' culture only now with Chinese subtitles." Others suggest that the company pictured should simply hire more female programmers. "What a ridiculous job, why reduce women to only be valued by their looks and to assist males. Let them have a job at the desk using their minds!" wrote one woman.

5 of 371 comments (clear)

  1. I knew I shoulda learned to speak Mandarin... by Penguinisto · · Score: 5, Insightful

    In all seriousness though, how does such a massive distraction *not* interfere with a job where you have to, you know, focus?

    (...not that I'd complain or anything, but seriously...)

    --
    Quo usque tandem abutere, Nimbus, patientia nostra?
    1. Re:I knew I shoulda learned to speak Mandarin... by jandrese · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Given the innate natural tendency for men to want to try to show off in front of attractive women, this seems like it could actually work. They can harness the instinct to motivate programmers to pound out code. It is devious, but a little dangerous since it can lead to competition instead of cooperation between the programmers. The women have to walk a fine line between appearing interested but not too interested in any one guy to avoid anger and jealousy. They're playing with fire here.

      --

      I read the internet for the articles.
    2. Re:I knew I shoulda learned to speak Mandarin... by gstoddart · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Given the innate natural tendency for men to want to try to show off in front of attractive women, this seems like it could actually work.

      Given the historical amounts of epic stupidity committed in the name of men showing off for women ... you really don't want this as part of your corporate culture.

      The women have to walk a fine line between appearing interested but not too interested in any one guy to avoid anger and jealousy.

      No, pretty much the point at which this can happen is why this was a failure from the get to.

      If the guys are showing off, and honestly believe they're going to have some sexual contact as part of this ... you're really only going to get the worst forms of stupidity and harassment.

      This just screams "huge problems waiting to happen".

      --
      Lost at C:>. Found at C.
  2. The way to motivate programmers by cyber-vandal · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Treat them like humans and give them interesting work to do.

  3. The same as any sport by cyrille.mdc · · Score: 5, Insightful

    We can't criticize this. Having cheerleaders at NBA, NFL etc... is very similar. Women cheering on men. Although now it's more just entertaining fans. Although I'm sure some cheerleaders here are giving athletes many free 'breakfasts'.