the ad
by FELICITY WARD
I have never written a letter of complaint before. Don’t worry, it’s very sarcastic. There is a company (called Who Exclusive) whose tagline is: Spend ‘his’ Money Wisely.
My friend posted a picture of it on Facebook. I grew Hulk-like and decided to pen the shit out of a complaint letter. Well, here it is…what can I say – sexism gonna made me do crankiness.
——-
To Whom It May Concern,
I’m writing in regards to your billboard advertisement campaign with the tag line: Spend ‘His’ Money Wisely.
Firstly, are you kidding me?
Secondly, no really are you kidding me?
I’ve earned my own money and had a job since I was twelve. It’s one of the many luxuries feminism has afforded me, as there was a very long period of time where women weren’t allowed to work as their job was to be a vagina that produced children.
So a massive high five to you guys for discovering time travel and taking me swiftly back to 1950. I’ll alert scientists immediately.
I really love clothes. I love shopping. I love buying clothes and I love fashion. I am mad up for it, and browse online sites to see what they’ve got to show me. I’m loyal. I’m sartorially adventurous and I have a dispensible income. So it seems like we’re on the same page up until this point yeah? Sweet. Then, uh-oh, you got someone Don Draper’s advertising firm to write you an ad.
The fact that you are playing on the stereotype that women should/can spend “Her man’s money” is gross, and if we’re being pedantic a little homophobic. I have a job. I make my own money. I don’t want to be financially co-dependent and you perpetuating this ideal frankly makes me sick in my bathing suit area. You tell us with your ad that money comes from men. That women are hopeless or at least deceitful and/or manipulative.
“Quick question: Do you have any women working at your company?”
Quick question: do you have any women working at your company? I don’t know you very well but my guess is: buttloads. Well that is what you are telling your employees, not to mention all the teenagers figuring out who they are in the world, all the little girls asking their parents what your sign means, and all the women who have low self-esteem just getting it crapped on that little bit more.
I just wanted to have a look at your mission statement I copied from your website. Shall we break it down?
“We believe that women are not defined by their dress size or height, but by their ability to choose the clothes that make them whole.”
Where it says “the clothes that make them whole” do you mean to write “a husband”?
“We believe that everyone has the power to influence the way that fashion moves.”
I completely agree with you. And fashion has the power to influence what we believe. So please take a little responsibility when writing things in public, yes?
“That is why at Whoexclusive.com we want to bring the barriers down-”
You mean fashion barriers right? We’ll keep that glass ceiling just where it is, and do remember to leave the kitchen door open. Hubby might get hungry later on and I want to have express access to all sandwich making facilities.
“-and let you, our customers become part of a driving force of the fashion industry”.
Cool. Let me in. I want to drive the force away from boring sexual stereotypes and gender limitations.
I apologise for the extraordinary sarcasm that is plastered through this email, but quite frankly I felt driven by the horrific sexism displayed by your ad. I’m 32. I shouldn’t be writing letters of complaint yet. I’m in the prime of my life.
However, I thought you would be more likely to read something like this, even if it is because you are offended. I wanted you to read it at all; I was worried if I wrote the usual “I find this upsetting. Have you considered option a) or option b)” you may have replied with a “Thank you for your feedback. Your opinion is important to us. This email has just been deleted but rest assured we’re genuinely taking your message to heart.”
You probably won’t respond to this one…but that’s okay. Your ad isn’t.
Please change it. It’s gross. It’s an embarrassment to women.
Thank you.
This was originally published on Felicity’s website here and has been republished with full permission.
Felicity Ward is a multi-award winning, 31 year old stand-up comedian, performer, writer and actor. She is most well-known for her work in the recent film Any Questions For Ben and her TV work on The Ronnie Johns Half Hour, Spicks and Specks and Thank God You’re Here. Find her website here.
Comments
93 Comments so far
My Husband works, I stay at home with our daughter. I do not spend his money, even though he earns the bread. We both spend our money.
loading...
I’m in agreement with the majority here – I could care less, but not much less. We don’t have billboards in Canberra, so I’ve now seen an ad for a company I would likely never have heard of otherwise.
As for complaints, when done constructively, to serve a material purpose, and lodged with respect via a private(ish) medium, then I encourage people to go ahead. The “I’ve never complained about anything before but…” line doesn’t help. The last time I complained was to a cab company, to ask that they list a new (3 month old) hospital to their database, so that the next injured pregnant women trying to get home after being admitted for a fall isn’t reduced to tears trying to explain to the call centre where a cab can pick her up. I kept it simple, to the point, was polite, and the problem has now been resolved without having to resort to public ranting.
loading...
Ok. So we all missed the point of this advert. I thought about it last night and after reading the further comments only one person came close to getting the meaning.
This is NOT sexist; on the contrary, it is the opposite.
The advert DOES imply that YOU (girls, women, ladies, etc.) ARE making your own money.
The advert suggests you spend HIS money wisely (you know, on bills, rent, the mor tgage, etc.) so you can spend YOUR money on whatever you want. Or make that whatever YOU want.
It doesn’t suggest you spend your exclusively working whilst I’m stuck at home man’s money.
Shame on us all for missing the point…
loading...
IF that is the point they were making (which I really don’t think it was) then shame on them for doing such an incredibly bad job of getting their message across!
loading...
Question, what if like me you don’t have a husband/ partner? Who’s money can I spend?
loading...
Yet another handgrenade thrown in the name of the gender war !
loading...
By that do you mean “idiot sexists being sexist” or “bitches be yappin’ off about sexism again, surprise surprise”?
loading...
I personally find this detailed commentary by Felicity Ward hilarious, a critique on sexism… I am an independent woman in my thirties, I am on a six figure salary, and I spend my boyfriends money every opportunity I can
So does that therefore make me a sexual stereotype? I try and spend my boyfriends money wisely, actually thats not true, its pretty much always on clothes and shoes, but lets face it, I always tell him it was a wise investment 
I think the catch phrase is cheeky and I like that, and it makes me want to buy the clothing more, at least it is fun rather rather than the run of the mill model on a beach / forrest / runway… Serious Felicity Ward, there are serious problems in the world lol…
loading...
I personally find this hilarious that Felicity Ward has taken so much time to write such a detailled commentary on her thoughts regarding something that she perceives as sexist. I am an independent, degree qualified woman, on a six figure salary and I spend my partners money every chance I can
Sometimes wisely, though often not! And almost always on clothes. So does that mean therefore that I am not independent and am a stereotype lol? Seriously… The ad is prevocative and the tag made me laugh, and makes me want to buy the clothes more cause there is some humor in the ad which is refreshing to see.
loading...
This is the most sexist ad of the year?
I found the one for coconut detox with girls in bikinis thrusting into the camera with no mention of what the product was much more offensive.
loading...
Am I the only one who thinks the real problem is that we’re still defining it as ‘his’ money and, by default, ‘her’ money? My husband and I have ‘our’ money. Right now I make more than he does but for most of our relationship it’s been the reverse.
Our money. Because we’re a partnership. We both discuss what we need to spend it on and what we need to save for. Works well.
Incidentally, I once worked with a woman who proudly told me that she had saved hard so she could enjoy her maternity leave because ‘It’s not fair for my husband to support me while I’m not working.’ What? Uh, yes it is – it’s his baby too!
loading...
Maybe they say spend ‘his’ money wisely because you’d be too embarrassed to spend your own on such rubbish…?
loading...
You know what? Out of all the things that is crap and unfair about the world right now, this doesn’t outrage me. Torture and abuse of animals, the live export trade and slaughter yards are outraging and upsetting me. Actual true, live, cruel and unbearable pain (and so unnecessary) that animals suffer because of humans…that’s what I am outraged about. I’m sorry for not joining you on this subject right now.
loading...
I’m outraged that children are dying from starvation.
I’m outraged that women still die in childbirth.
I’m outraged that human beings are still sold into slavery.
I’m not outraged by this advert but it does make me want to get the man responsible and slam his balls in a drawer.
loading...
Funny how so many of the men who say, ‘It’s my money, I work for it’ are the same ones who’d be angry and wounded if you turned to them and said, ‘Oh yeah, well by that logic, this would be MY kid then, and I’ll be making all the decisions regarding him/her!’
Relationships are about teamwork. So share, consult each other on all major decisions (financial and otherwise) and play nicely.
loading...
Funny how often the kid IS her’s and when she leaves so is his money.
loading...
I know a man who used to complain that his wife (who had a thriving career and her own very good income) was always spending ‘his’ money …. maybe this ad is a dig at men who think they’re in charge of the purse-strings irrespective of who is earning the cash.
P.S. They’re now divorced.
loading...
I am currently on mat leave. My husband is at work. I love spending ‘his’ money. Well I consider it ours – as does he- but it is a luxury to spend someone else’s hard earned cash. Could you please just let me enjoy it while it lasts …
loading...
I agree wholeheartedly with Felicity and her follow up letter to this company’s reply…here is some of her reply.
” women are told this their whole lives – it’s just a joke. Lighten up. It’s a bit of fun. Well you know what? When you hear it for the first time when you’re 12, it’s a bit of fun. When your gender is still being compared to 1950s stereotypes 20 years later, it’s grating. It’s boring. And the more we say “it’s just a joke”, the longer it will continue. You are playing a hand in this.
Here are some other examples of come on girls, it’s just a joke that I don’t find funny -
Carlton Draught’s Beer promo that “gives the wife a rest from the ironing”
VB Ad where all then men’s hands are “doing men’s stuff” but the sole pair of women’s hands that appear are doing the ironing.
Your ad is not better than these.
Why don’t you try for something more for yourself, for your brand and for your customers than myopic, backwards, outdated, sexist demeaning stereotypes? Why don’t you try and make a joke that’s, I don’t know…funny? And I know funny’s subjective, but if women are your target audience, why don’t you try and make a joke where their gender isn’t the butt of the joke?”
Exactly.
loading...
Get over it…!! It’s meant to be funny…!! I am a woman who has to spend “his” money wisely and I love and embrace my role as a 1950′s stereotype…!!
PS: I’ve lived both sides of the argument, corporate life, glass ceilings, equal recognition blah blah blah and I have to say I feel more valued as a 1950′s stereotype than I ever did in the corporate rat race…
loading...
I love your honesty!
loading...
“I feel more valued as a 1950′s stereotype than I ever did in the corporate rat race”
This line made me cringe! I think a woman should always be valued equally regardless of her job or occupation. Also, the 50′s are overly romanticised – In terms of freedom and rights it was probably one of the worst times to be woman.
loading...
I’ve seen the ad, I even know the company behind it. I hate the slogan; it’s cheap and tacky (much like the clothes). But you can’t go telling your friends that their first advertising campaign is a complete embarrassment – or can you? This whole thing makes me cringe.
loading...
I’ve seen the ad, I even know the company behind it. I hate the slogan, it makes me cringe. It looks tacky and cheap, but of course you can’t tell your friends they did such a horrible job on their first advertising campaign – or….can you?
loading...
It’s quite clear ‘Friend or Foe’ that you are not a ‘friend’ at all. Otherwise you would keep your opinion to yourself. In fact, what your comment does demonstrate is that you are too weak to confront your ‘friend’ about your thoughts and instead choose to tell hundreds, possibly thousands of complete strangers that you don’t like your ‘friends’ company. You know, there’s a common thread among people who go out of there way to backstab their ‘friends’ – that my dear is jealousy. Something you appear to be suffering from quite severely.
loading...
There’s nothing wrong with letting people make their own mistakes.
loading...
There’s nothing wrong with letting people make their own mistakes. You don’t have to tell people every time you disagree with them.
loading...
“their job was to be a vagina that produced children”
Can noone write against sexism without also being sexist?
Thanks for reducing the lives and achievements of prefeminist women with the above statement. And also for diminishing my own life choices. I’m a housewife and soon to be stay at home mum. I think my work is just as valuable as my husband’s although it is unpaid.
“The fact that you are playing on the stereotype that women should/can spend “Her man’s money” is gross ..I don’t want to be financially co-dependent
and you perpetuating this ideal frankly makes me sick in my bathing suit area”
I have to spend my husband’s money, but I feel it is the earnings of our combined effort. You perpetuating such a limited view on co-dependence and housewives frankly makes ME sick in my bathing suit area.. That vagina that produces children that you think I am limited to.
This is not feminism.
loading...
Sophie, AMEN! I’m a SAHM too and bloody hell, I work harder now that when I was in the workplace! And I love it. I’m sick of people reducing what we do to nothing. Raising kids is the most important and special job around.
loading...
Well said, Sophie !
I’m high fiving you right now !
loading...
Well said Sophie. Just for the record, my job as a vagina that produced children was the best job I ever had, albeit the worst paid. Using the feminist podium to diminish pre-feminist efforts is a backwards step and a slap in the face to those today who chose another path – thankful of having a choice at all.
loading...
Dude, she was being ironic. Back in the day that IS what a woman’s role was recognised to be. Now people have a much better understanding of how relationship work and that there is a decision to be made in terms of who works and who raises the children. But back in the 1950s it wasn’t a choice – that was who and what a woman was, it defined her.
loading...
Now people have a much better understanding of how relationships work?! Yes. That must be why we have such a high divorce rate!
Belittling our elders again. Those women who provided stable, happy childhoods for the baby boomers after suffering the traumas of war- what did THEY know about relationships?! Now smugly having received acolades from the queen on their 60th anniversaries!
My grandma was a sahm, my grand grandma was a working mother due to the hardships of the depression. Unless you were a mother in the 50s, ‘dude,’ you can’t tell me how they felt and what they knew.
loading...
Wow Sophie, in your haste to be furious you’ve completely missed my point. I certainly don’t think that’s what they were. I stated that that’s how they were unfairly percieved – and I think it’s clear Felicity was using that jarring conceptualisation to demonstrate how offensive the sexism in the ad was.
When I stated that people have a better understanding of relationships now days I meant that now people recognise how important the role of a stay-at-home parent is. It’s not that the dad should have the important job of earning the money while the wife sits at home popping out kids – rather, society now recognises that the parent at home doing the primary childcaring (whether male or female) is playing an incredible important and difficult role in the child’s life – and in society.
I wasn’t belittling our elders, or STAHMs, or anyone other than the idiots who made that ad. I’m sure you’ll still find a way to be offended though.
loading...
I could have put together a better ad in Paint
loading...
I’d rather spend my man’s money than my own. Plus, he doesn’t care.
loading...
Rule number 1 in advertising – if its doesn’t make sense to you or appeal to you – then its not meant for you. Clearly you’re not the intended audience for this ad – its actually quite tongue and cheek. Lighten up.
loading...
Honestly would not have noticed this is it had not been brought to my attention because:
1. Can’t read the letters properly anyway – bad choice to use the red against leg shadows; and
2. I find the top incredibly unappealing and it does not draw my interest enough to bother trying to figure out what it’s about.
Regarding the advice on spending ‘his’ money wisely… Well, yes, obviously. He’s awful with money!
loading...
I’ve seen the billboard and frankly like it. Yes it may be seen by some as “sexist” but then the whole of our lives are. And, no girls! its not all about you, we cop it too… from you.
In a world where cyber bullying is becoming a pandemic, where half the world is going broke and the other half want to kill each other, where a whole group of our polies would like to drown boatloads of people trying to flee REAL madness, this reaction just does’t cut it. Felicity, get a life and a sense of humour, take a cold shower and worry about stuff that matters.
loading...
The ad completely lacked creativity and not funny whatsoever… The ad guy must have been out because this is so unoriginal…
“Get a sense of humour” you say… Please break down what’s so funny about it…
YAWN
loading...
Fantastic letter Felicity, well said.
loading...
Felicity, I agree with your post. I know society and men like to tell us it’s just a ‘joke’ and most times I’m pretty easy going about it… but reality is that it is sexism, in my view. I will share with you a recent example from my personal experience (notice I have put my name as anonymous for personal reasons). My managing director (big boss) at the company I work for kindly shouted all workers some drinks/food. As much as he is a very nice man, he made a rather sexist joke directed at me (or a least I thought it could be pretty sexist). He came over to where I was sitting with a bunch of my workmates and told us ‘don’t be afraid to ask for anything/drinks, etc.’ So I thought to ask for some more chips/nibbles. His response was something like sure, ‘you have my approval’ (‘approval’ seems strange to use a simple’OK’ would have been find) and handed be a card to go order. Then, he joked, ‘Or, you can do the helpless female thing and get X to go (X meaning my male co-worker sitting next to me). Most at the table laughed and so did I, not because I found it funny but because I actually didn’t hear exactly what he said but knew he was making some kind of joke and wanted to be friendly. When I asked my co-worker later what his joke was about exactly, he told me. I thought…Wha!… Should I think of that as a sexist remark or simply brush it off? Any thoughts, anyone?
loading...
Meh, I found it funny. I had assumed the using the word ‘his’ in the inverted commas implied they were taking the piss anyway.
loading...
I’m more offended that someone was paid alot of money to come up with a pretty sh*t billboard.
I’m totally in the wrong profession.
loading...
Funny how all the people who are accusing Felicity of lacking humour seem to have missed the humour in her piece …
Funny but not surprising.
loading...
Damnit, I forgot to marry a rich bloke. Now I can’t get an ugly….thing.
loading...
This is the kind of rubbish that gives feminism a bad name – major over reaction – bigger things to worry about!
loading...
Yes! I must admit, I don’t get the ad, and I don’t get the hoohaa about it either. But I have now heard of a clothes brand I was previously unaware of.
loading...
Wow what a massive overreaction. It never fails to amaze me what white privileged women of the first world concern themselves with.
I am a woman who works and always intends to, I spend my money and I spend my husband’s money.
Sure it’s a bad ad (most of them are) but not everything is about sexism.
loading...
There seems to be a strong negative correlation between ones level of feminist flag waving and ones ability to have a good ol’ laugh at the world sometimes.
I mean, seriously, when did we all get so militant and serious over an obviously silly, light hearted ad.
If the flavour of the day is to cry sexism at every second ad, I think we blokes have more to complain about than you hirls (aka the useless male stereotype in every second ad)
loading...
Don’t you mean a strong correlation? Strong negative correlation would be an oxymoron wouldn’t it?
Most women have a great sense of humour – they have to, to put up with patronising crap like this and the twits in “advertising” who perpetuate it. If they want to sell me something, probably better not to piss me off first, before I even get MY credit card out …
loading...
Being a mathematician, I can safely inform you that you can have strong positive or negative correlation, not wanting to turn a light hearted chat technical or anything.
loading...
Time for a man to chime in with something long and dismissive, mentioning ‘the Dawn of Time’, ‘the Plains of Africa’, and of course ‘traditional roles of Hunting and Nurturing’, adding to the dismissive comments made by women who’ve already bought into the same mindset.
loading...
This seems like a massive overreaction to me.
I spend “his” money all the time – mainly because he makes almost 2x what I do (just for the record, I’m not being paid less than male co-workers either!)
Seriously, if people are getting upset about this ad perhaps it’s time to, you know, reasses your priorities?
loading...
Yeah, I spend ‘his’ money all the time too…because I’m at home looking after ‘his’ children while ‘he’ earns the cash. If I wasnt here to do that ‘he’ would be paying a fulltime nanny a lot more money each week than I spend on myself
loading...
It reminds me of when I was married.
We had her money, and our money.
So she could spend her money on whatever she wanted and I could spend our money on whatever we needed.
I’m so glad my ex wife never had to spend my money though.
loading...
I don’t think it’s very `wise’ to spend anyone’s money on an over-sized polka dot potato sack.
loading...
gold.
loading...
You’re right, it’s not wise to spend money on a potato sack.
I bet you $50 that plenty do though, and not one of them will be a man.
loading...
Agreed. The most offensive thing about this ad is that top/dress thing. And the fact that it’s just a shit looking ad in general
loading...
Some women do spend their husbands money.
I know I will be going out tonight to do just that.
So crucify me because he has a far better job than I do.
loading...
Me too! As I’ve taken a year off work, I’ve been spending my husbands money…not always wisely though. Hehe
loading...
I think she is reacting more to the massive assumption in the ad that the woman would be spending her husband’s money, rather than actually having a go at how couples choose to divide their money.
loading...
Me too!! Hubby : $7500 a month clear , me : $2500 clear….no prizes for guessing whose pay lasts longer, should I , as the author suggests starve rather than use my husbands money, because heaven forbid I haven’t worked for it!!
loading...
A complete over reaction.
Besides, those clothes look hideous!
loading...
I don’t consider myself a feminist (mainly because I don’t like to label myself with titles I am not fully educated on) but I can appreciate my life as a woman in this era has benefits because of the feminist movement. Those benefits include being able to have a job, independence, a child out of wedlock who is my world, a choice about who I have sex with, a choice about whether I can be bothered doing a load of washing after a 10 hour work day, a vote in how my country is run (kinda!!) and more equality in the world I live in.
I also have a choice about whether I waste my time not simply ignoring some highly paid marketing ‘experts’ new idea on getting a certain demographic to spend anyone’s money on their products…or whether I spend that time doing something a little more valuable.
loading...
I’ve worked in senior advertising and marketing roles for over 20 years and that either makes me kinda old or it allows me some insight into this headline.
Who Exclusive were no doubt trying to be irreverent, clever and a little bit cheeky with this ad. Coming up with a headline that attempts to cut through all the online crap and be seen, is a really tough gig.
So on one hand I applaud Who Exclusive at having a really good crack at it and delivering advertising that flies close to the edge of what is deemed acceptable for their target market.
Though Felicity I do whole heartedly agree with you, this headline isn’t funny. It’s just demeans women and is a little sad in its failure to hit the right chord.
Ironic thing is your complaint and blog has no doubt directed lotsa buyers over to their website so hopefully they will extend you a big fat Gift Voucher! And if not, then lets hope today the copywriter for Who Exclusive is frantically punching out different headline suggestions so that awful and massively inappropriate headline can be duly buried in the “Ads That So Didn’t Work” File.
loading...
Agreed, its just a fun and cheeky ad which probably doesn’t warrant the accusations of sexism!
loading...
Did you read the entire comment?
loading...
Bad ad, I agree. But then it depends on who the target market is (in my opinion). If it is directed at women my age (25 to 35 or older) then I don’t think it will make a huge difference. Adult women (most of them) already know who they are and if they don’t agree with the ad, they won’t identify with it and thus will not buy the clothes. If it is intended for teens and young adults (15 to 25) then I think it is a shame (though it is a competitive environment and ultimately, ads will be ads). I wouldn’t want my daughter to believe that a woman should rely on or expect to receive a man’s money. I want her to believe that the healthiest thing for her is to always count on herself. Then again, I believe I am responsible for teaching her these values (not a company or advertising agency). I believe that if I teach her the right values she will be able to assess these ads on her own and form her own healthy opinion
loading...
Hmmmm I thought it was cute – its obviously trying to be provocative. And I earn my own money, am proudly career-oriented and would NEVER rely on a man for money (that kind of dependence terrifies me).
I wonder if this post will bring out the women proudly spending their husband’s money??
loading...
I’m not sure if you’re trying to shame the women who spend their husbands’ money or not, but honestly, if their husband is okay and happy to let them have a cut (be it because they don’t earn as much or just as a special gift or something) then I don’t see the problem with it! No one is stealing (hopefully) and if they are both happy then who cares?
loading...
Thank goodness for this article !
The earlier in the day we can start screaming “sexism” the better.
As a comedian, Felicity, surely the joke is obvious….don’t spend your own money when you can spend his ! Dear, oh, dear, oh dear me !
loading...
I’m not getting the “homophobic” reference? How is this an example of homophobia? Sexist, absolutely.
loading...
Suggesting that women would only be in a relationship with a man. Spend ‘his’ money. Basically this ad suggests/relies on the idea that:
1) men have the money
2) women spend his money
3) women are in a relationship
4) that relationship is with a man
If you’re none of those things, its alienating.
loading...
Oh come on, seriously? This has to be the greatest example of hair splitting I have ever seen.
There is nothing homophobic about this stupid ad.
loading...
M’eh. First world problem. I spend my money and my husband’s.
loading...
I saw the billboard last week as well, & couldn’t believe it. Maybe I should fax them my latest bank balance, with a note saying, “See all this money you won’t be getting from me”
loading...
So they’re NOT advertising to: Single women. Gay women. Single men. Straight men, partnered or otherwise.
Only women in a relationship (loving, financial or otherwise) with a man who supports them need shop here?
I’d be betting that there are not all that many of those women left these days …. most of us are too busy earning our own living either as singles or with our partners, who may or may not be male!
loading...
Did you not notice the inverted commas around the ‘his’? It’s sarcastic! Not everything is about sexism. And yes, I am a woman who earns her own money.
loading...
Having a chuckle to my self picturing the ad execs going “Yes, but if we punctuate the ‘his’, we will totally get away with it! Now let’s do lunch!”
loading...
Yes, it’s sarcastic. And probably intended to be provocative. But it’s still offensive.
loading...
Can’t the inverted commas around the ‘his’ be taken as – his money is your money and therefore they have said spend ‘his’ money wisely?
loading...
Like Alibee, I interpreted that inverted commas to mean ‘yeah, technically it is his money, but really it’s yours if you ask for it’. Like, he earns it but it isn’t really his because you can force him to buy you stuff etc. It sort of perpetuates the manipulative, scheming woman image and I don’t like it.
loading...
That advertisement shares the same ranking of being sexist as Caroline Wozniacki’s “ode to Selena” (if in fact that’s what it was) has of it being racist.
In other words, both are innocent of the charges.
Comedy, Felicity. Comedy.
loading...
Comedy? Already I’m not laughing.
loading...
Firstly, before anyone else points it out I meant Serena not Selena.
As I was putting our son in the car to take to preschool I told my wife about the billboard. Her reaction? She laughed.
I spoke to a female colleague and mentioned the billboard. Her reaction? She laughed.
Both of these were after I wrote my comment but it did not surprise me of their reactions.
Comedy, like advertising are examples of mediums still using archaic situations to draw people into what they are saying or selling.
Felicity does this in her own comedy.
I wonder if the advertising agency, or more to the point, the team that came up with this line were in fact women who are, 1. working, and 2. getting their own money to spend.
loading...
Not funny, highly offensive. Sorry but i completely disagree with you on this one.
Although i’m not familiar with “ode to Selena” Racist jokes and sexist jokes are never funny. I think that if we put up with these jokes without calling people out on them – it only perpetuates to us (especially our younger generation) to think that that racism and sexism is ok, and NO its NOT ok.
loading...
The ad is a bit insulting, but so is half the advertising material directed at women, (think of the line “as a busy mum…”), and for that matter, men. Advertisers work on stereotypes as comedians do. Don’t buy their stuff if it bugs you.
As for the Serena stunt, PUH LEASSSEEE!! Whomever made the reference to racism made the assumption that Wozniacki was making fun of Serena’s but because she was black. In fact, she was making fun of it because they are friends and Serena jokes about her big but all the time. Racism was not an issue until some well meaning person decided to draw a parallel between black women and big bottoms. Wozniacki did no such thing. The ridiculous political correctness, if anything, drew attention to race and it was this individual that was being racist, not Caroline Wozniacki.
loading...