Girl Talk

centric events like fashion shows,night bazaars and art events are held.

Bars and nightclubs waiving cover charges for women in the hope of increasing their numbers is nothing new but the entire concept has certainly changed,right from the name. A decade ago it was referred to a little self-righteously,as Ladies Night,which conjures up images of women in fine frocks sipping tea from delicate bone china cups. Girls’ Night Out on the other hand,is infinitely wilder: think Lindsay Lohan and Britney Spears out on a drinking spree or Cyndi Lauper who sang about it way back in the 80s.

If there’s any big change one notices while going out at night in Delhi,it is big groups of women out together,minus men. Nightclubs,eager for business are doing what they can to provide a safe environment for women to let their hair down. Besides,a nightspot full of females lends credibility in a city with a dodgy reputation as far as women’s safety goes. But the occasional violent bar brawl is no longer a deterrent: Lap last Wednesday was spilling over with girls sipping free margaritas.

The celebration of the girlfriend,well documented in hit shows like Sex And The City and Desperate Housewives finds resonance all over the world and in India,has gone beyond the kitty party meeting to a night out a month,when husbands and boyfriends are not part of the plan. A happily married girl I know chose to treat five school friends to a vacation in Turkey for her 40 th birthday. Similarly,another Delhi girl hosted a birthday party at a spa,where beauty treatments for a gang of 20 women were at her expense.

Female bonding can be big business. Every restaurant,club and spa is willing to offer huge discounts to court and develop a regular,female clientele. It might have something to do with the ridiculous stereotype that women are lousy drivers,but till recently Select Citywalk offered privileged parking for women (anyone who’s attempted finding a parking spot there on weekends will understand the value). In an age of urban alienation,an occasional night of revelry with female friends can be good fun. But put five 30-something women together,they could be CEOs of an international fund or IIT professors,it doesn’t matter,invariably,the conversation regresses to two topics: weight and children. Girl talk is therapeutic,sure,but one night a month is more than enough.

(hutkayfilms@gmail.com)