An effect experienced by American businesses when they show support for a hot-button political issue or party, and then experience a 50% drop in business. It does not matter what the topic is or which party the business supports. Because the population of the
United States is very close to being 50% liberal/50%
conservative, a business that shows support one way or the other can expect to lose 50% of it's business.
The term is derived from 1990's country
music band, The Dixie Chicks. Though country
music tends to favor conservatives, the band members are very much liberal. In 2003, lead singer Natalie Maines voiced displeasure with the
United States involvement in Iraq. Standing up for her cause was a noble thing for Maines to do, and 50% of her fans adored her even more for it. The problem is that the other 50% ditched the band for good. And even though 50% of the fans supported the crap out of her, they really weren't expected to buy their future albums TWICE or buy TWO concert tickets for
one person to make up for the 50% of the fans that had left. And so it was no surprise that the band would later break up "in order to pursue other projects". And from this, businesses from large to small should learn to never take a political side if they want to keep their customers.
Me: "Hot dog! A new donut shop opened up 5
miles from us, babe!"
Wife: "They have a
Trump banner in their window, we're not going."
Me: "Crap, the Dixie Chick effect."
Wife: "Don't be talking bad about my Dixie Chicks."
Me: "I'm going to go get me some donuts."
