Posted on 10 Comments on Gender-based pocky chocky…

Gender-based pocky chocky…

Huh?

Japanese culture is mysterious and baffling at the best of times, but sometimes it’s just plain weird. Check out these Japanese “Pocky” chocolate treats. One can guess (and it would be just a guess) that the name “Pocky” has something to do with the package being more or less pocket size.

But why, among the many varieties of Pocky treats — not all chocolate — are the ones in the green box specified as being “Men’s” Pocky? How is it any different from the Pocky in the red box? Why is it only for men? Why doesn’t anyone complain about that? Is it gender discrimination? It’s not like women aren’t allowed to buy them or eat them. But why specify? And why just those ones?

10 thoughts on “Gender-based pocky chocky…”

  1. It’s dark chocolate and therefore, more masculine, as opposed to the pink-strawberry-fruity-flavoured ‘ladies’ Pocky. And it’s in a dark green box, you know, like pool tables and polo shirts and golf courses…

    Think about this: Riesen, the ‘not too sweet’ chocolate caramels, were created especially for men, because they were seen as a segment that didn’t buy enough candy. That’s why they have only men in all the ads, and why the name and packaging is so dark and serious, compared to say, the pastel-bright-Mentos.

    Don’t believe me? Read this!

  5. But AJ, the Riesen thing is subtle. Stamping “Men’s” on a product name is in-yer-face.

    M, you’re so rad! ;-)

  8. I found a great store with friendly people that offer loads of different kinds of Pocky (Men’s included). You can see the flavors and buy them on this website:

    http://pocky.dizandat.com

    Just thought I would share since I too am addicted to Pocky!

  9. What the last guy sad was what I was gonna, also, Pocky is named after the “poookkkkk” sound it makes when eaten.

Comments are closed.