Hummy Mummies - the name... feedback greatly appreciated!

[swannieboy]

Hi all

Right, laying myself open here, so please be gentle.

I had a conversation at HM this morning where one of my regular mums said that quite a few of her friends were totally put off by the Hummy Mummies name, to the extent where even though they know it's fun and a "good thing", they feel strongly enough about the name to boycott it. Now, to be honest, that's the first proper negative feedback that I've had. I know it's a bit corny, and that not everyone likes to label themselves a Yummy Mummy, but to actively refuse to come because of the name...?? I was also told that it sounded a bit patronising, which it was never meant to, obviously. Now I wasn't aware that actually some mums really dislike the Yummy Mummy title, and so never thought that this might put them off. I just wanted a nice catchy name that shows that a) it's musical and b) it's for mums. I thought of it, bought the domains and trademarked the name, pretty much immediately. Now at this early stage, I'm quite prepared to do some rebranding - I'm already doing so with the image - the pink/yellow and the bee were just to get me started and to have something online. However, I'd rather not rebrand if I don't need to.

So, I'd be interested in your feedback. Do you love the name, or like it, or dislike it, or hate it? And if you don't like it, is that sense strong enough for you not to attend, despite having heard that it's a lot of fun?

Please feel free to share other thoughts about this.

Many thanks

Richard

[Otta]

It could be describing a load of smelly mothers I suppose.

Not going because of the name is pretty pathetic though to be honest.

[buggie]

Surely it's an obvious play on words rather than a suggestion that only bugaboo'd up/Cath Kidson clad/made up to the hilt Mum's would be admitted (although with Bugglet's Mon am swimming still haven't made it to one to check for

myself :-$)

As Otta says, seems daft to boycott the whole class due to the name - especially as in years to come their bound to say "don't judge a book by its cover" to their children!

[pincushionqueen]

The only thing I would say is that the name may put off dads/other carers from coming along. I love hummy mummies, missing it terribly-I'll be back once I have recovered from my tonsillectomy. Anna :)

[snowboarder]

For what it's worth, although not being interested in singing or coming along (sadly my 'humming' not v good!) I think it's an awesome name!! Can't believe people are not coming because of it...

[kittysailing]

It's a perfectly apt name for who you are and what you do. Frankly you'll never please all of the people all of the time - if your getting a good turn out - stick with it!

[hanstands]

I love the being there singing with other Mums. The name itself didn't really attract me...i think mainly as its not my type of humour and had uncertain connotations attached. The concept of the business itself is wonderful...the important part! The name perhaps doesn't do the idea justice....having said that I wouldn't boycott it because of its name. However, as the name is what potential Mums/carers/Dads see and hear first it could easily be turning people away at first port of call. I do think the Corporate ID of a business is vital to get right if you want to get the most out of it...[i wrote my dissertation on this subject at College]. I'm still coming though, bought my ten week card!! It is a grand idea and you both manage it well R and F! Congratulations!

[bluesuperted]

Think the name is great and very very marketable, PR-able especially.

Can always make sure your language (website, email etc) is tongue in cheek to minimize any fears (!) of yummy mummy elitism! I love the group and sorry wasn't able to make it today - can't say I feel at my most yummy on a Monday morning but I certainly do enjoy our lovely humming sessions.

See you next week!

Lx

[swannieboy]

Thank you for your feedback so far. Please feel free to comment even if you have no intention of coming along. I'm very interested to hear everyone's opinion. Seems like most people are quite in favour so far...

[Goodliz]

I would just add you can't please all the people all the time.

I had this dilemma with Powerpramming when i first named it.

The name Hummy Mummies is great I think. It did make me think first of all of smelling like BO (humming) but so what? At least it makes people say, 'What's that?'

It would not put me off going but as I don't have a baby and cannot sing I won't be joining you :'(.

It is a great concept. Good luck and choose a name that you and your members are happy with. If they all like 'Hummy Mummies' stick with it.

[bubbachumps]

It's a great name, totally obvious what the group is, and a bit of fun. Perhaps people who don't go because of the name wouldn't be much fun to have as members anyway...

[scareyt]

Hi Richard, I've come a few times to the group and love it but I do think the name is quite silly. And thinking about it, when I've told other people about it I haven't mentioned the name at all. I think the "hummy" part makes the experience sound less good than it actually is - it makes me think of something quite chaotic and random, which your group isn't at all! It's a lovely all-female choir which meets in the daytime and happens to welcome small children to rehearsals. I would also agree with handstands - since it's a business rather than a social group I think it is worth getting the name right now and changing it if you already know it is alienating some potential customers.

Thinking more about the term 'yummy mummy'.... it's only ever a label people give to other people, and often in a negative way. It's not how any mums I know would define themselves. Maybe that's why some people find it patronising.

[reren]

I know nothing about the group and so I'm feeding back purely on gut instinct - but somehow it seems sort of smug and cliquey to me? I don't mean at all that this is the reality - from the posts here it sounds like a much loved and probably very friendly group. But you asked for reactions to the name ... I think it would sort of put me off - though I does make me smile as a name - I think I would assume it is not for me...

[QueenMab]

Are you all mad? It's an awful, awful name, truly cringe-worthy! I think I'd have to be really fanatical about singing to be able to overcome my dislike of the name and actually join. For what it's worth, the same goes for powerpramming: I've been asked a few times by friends if I'd like to go but found myself shouting FUCK OFF!! before even waiting to know more about what it involves

Sorry but both sound to me like they will be run by and attended by middle class twats.

[QueenMab]

Oh sorry. You said go gentle. At least the forum hamster swapped my swears for !?*%!!s

[Moos]

I really object to the term yummy mummy but like the name hummy mummies - at least it makes a joke out of it!

[swannieboy]

Thank you all for your feedback. I don't actually mind if you don't like the name - I'm just trying to work out what proportion of people don't, and how many would definitely not come becasue of it. I'm pretty sure that I'm going to keep it as it is, as it seems that the people who dislike it, although loud, appear to be in the minority. I'll never please everybody, and there will always be people who will, as buggie said, judge a book by its cover. People will make judgements, and if, never having met me, they assume that I'm a middle class ?$@*&% then I'll live with that.

Posting this elsewhere too, but just to remind you that the new East Dulwich group is meeting today at the Dulwich Constitutional Club at 3.30pm. The first one will be free to all. Hope to see some of you there.

Richard

[Growlybear]

I'm afraid I'm in the supposed minority who find the name extremely off-putting, and would definitely not want to be involved with a group with a daft name like this. I think it is extremely patronising, and typically 'East Dulwich'.

[Gubodge]

I'm late to the thread, but I'm with Growlybear. I really don't like the name at all and wouldn't want to associate myself with it. But I am superficial. I sing with another local choir and I don't like their name either, but I'd already joined when the new name was decided on. If not I think the name would have given me the wrong impression and I'd probably have not thought the choir was for me.

It's not as bad as Hummy Mummies though.

[swannieboy]

You don't know what you're missing...! :)

It really is as simple as that.

Richard :)

[The Nappy Lady]

Richard...remember the immortal lines from Romeo and Juliet.

"A rose by any other name would smell as sweet"

I think you are right to stick with the name that you chose, it's your idea and your choir.

You can't possibly please everyone.

Molly

[bluesuperted]

Too right Molly! I think unless it had a big old swear word unnecessarily inserted in its name there's not much you could call our lovely choir that would stop me attending!

From a language perspective 'hummy' is not a value statement, perjorative or judgemental, or a personal adjective like 'yummy' it's just a nice, lighthearted and importantly catchy way of painting a picture of some tuneful mums, they are hummy because they hum [sing] it's something they do, not something that defines their being. That's quite different from the 'yummy' (or it's evil twin 'slummy') mummy tag.

[Jacks50]

I like the name. and I loved the group too, but I've only been able to go once.

And I don't see much wrong with the term yummy mummy, someone called me a yummy mummy once and I thought it was quite nice of them!

So I second bluesuperted.

Keep up the great work Richard

[Carbonara]

I was one who thought 'smelly mummies' when I first saw it.

And personally, if I were to join (don't worry, I will not inflict my screeching on you :))) I would tell people that I belonged to a 'women's singing group' or a 'group of mothers in the area' as the whole Yummy Mummy / anything 'Mummy' concept is just too twee and creepy for anything. If a friend told me she was a Hummy Mummy I would roll my eyes and wince a bit.

But I may not be your target demographic.