Because they cannot motivate themselves? Who knows! But according to
Trending in China (via Tech in Asia), “programming cheerleaders” apparently exist.
Picture: Trending in China
Here’s Trending in China explaining what’s going on:
Internet companies across China are embracing programming cheerleaders, pretty, talented girls that help create a fun work environment. Their job includes buying programmers breakfast, chitchatting and playing ping-pong with them.
Eh… Trending in China doesn’t give exact numbers for how many companies are doing this.
In the top photo, you can see a woman programmer, but it doesn’t look like the company hired a dude cheerleader.
Picture: Trending in China
An HR manager at an internet company in China that hired three such cheerleaders tells Trending in China that its programmers are “mostly male” and stink at socialising.
Picture: Trending in China
Reportedly, productivity is up at the company, and supposedly, the cheerleaders are helping programmers get more work done. But it all seems rather patronizing — for both the cheerleaders and the programmers. So, uh, yeah.
Picture: Trending in China
Comments
14 responses to “In China, Women Hired To Motivate Computer Programmers”
“Give me a C++”
“What does it spell?”
“hours of reading code to realise what is broken”
…D?
I wonder what the pay is like…
This article is very patronising, but the concept of hiring people (of either gender) to create a fun productive work environment seems like a great idea.
I am not sure the one female developer I can see is all that impressed.
*Shrug* It’s a male dominated China, majority rules is the mentality, I suppose.
My chinese friend told me that there’s way more males than females, that even the “ugly females get chosen, they have plenty of choice in guys”. So in that heavily offensive (to someone surely) remark, there’s not much competition on the female’s side of things, just gotta focus on their career.
How about second monitors, I’m sure that would increase productivity too (not that I’m against the idea of code cheerleaders)
Or bigger desks. they’re pretty much elbow to elbow…
This is completely patronizing and probably uncomfortable as hell, especially for any female programmers – but… GIVE LOVE A CHANCE!! maybe? possibly? no…just patronizing then.
PS. how about a window or 2 China
To be honest, I’d probably be less productive staring at those legs all day…
It’s probably fake knowing China. That last pic is just absolutely ridiculous.
But it all seems rather patronizing — for both the cheerleaders and the programmers. So, uh, yeah.
Coming from a country that invented cheerleaders (and Hooters) the author does not appear to understand hypocrisy.
But quick ! Let’s go defend someone somewhere because they might be mildly offended.
Looking at the pictures, most of the guys don’t appear that enthused, and the single female programmer is probably both relieved she is no longer the centre of attention and irked that she is no longer the centre of attention.
Can’t see it lasting: petty jealousy, spurned attentions and the need to focus on code without the distraction of miniskirts will probably mean the cheerleaders will get turfed. So unless they’re motivating the team by cheerleading in the kneeling position, it’ll be a short social experiment.
I wouldn’t be surprised by this is Japan.. it seems like a Japanese thing to do.. but in China? Seems quite quirky for them.