To admire Marks and Spencer's ambitious in store advertising?

[MrsDustyBusty]

Today I was in Marks and Spencer's in Dublin and they have a display advertising special celebration foods for bonfire night. That's an ambitious project, I thought to myself.

AIBU to admire the gung-ho spirit of commerce against the odds?

[Supermagicsmile]

What food? Sounds great!

[CandyMelts]

I used to work for m&s and it was a constant ambition to get the regions working better, e.g. back to school was always based on english dates so pointless for the Scots who'd already gone back

[MrsDustyBusty]

The regions, eh?!

[fleecyjumper]

I don't think people are getting your point! I get it!

[koalab]

[EastMidsMummy]

I think everyone in the thread gets it.

[bellabelly]

Took me a while - too distracted by the thought of celebration food!

[Glumglowworm]

I've seen England themed t-shirts in primark in Cardiff

[MrsTerryPratchett]

Do people not burn effigies of famous Catholics in Dublin?

[SpottedGingham]

Took me a moment! Doh!!

[isitginoclock]

hangs head in shame totally not getting this... can someone please explain?? I love bonfire night food!! WHAT AM I MISSING?

[MrsDustyBusty]

Do people not burn effigies of famous Catholics in Dublin?

Well they might but I haven't seen or heard of it yet, but it could just be the circles I move in...

[crikeycrumbsblimey]

Bonfire night food is definitely a thing!!!!

I’m originally from Lancashire and urged would be black peas(!), parkin, black toffee, toffee apples.

Many of the things which have been absorbed by Halloween are bonfire celebrations.

I’m off to make Parkin mmmm

[crikeycrumbsblimey]

Although I accept in Dublin hmmmm night not be the best.....missed that bit

I get sad at the lack of bonfire food though

[biscuitmillionaire]

I think everyone in the thread gets it.
I don't think they do

[MrsDustyBusty]

totally not getting this... can someone please explain?? I love bonfire night food!! WHAT AM I MISSING?

Ireland is a predominantly Catholic country and the whole Guy Fawkes thing isn't celebrated as a result.

[DearTeddyRobinson]

Yeah Bonfire Night/Guy Fawkes is an English event. Ireland is a different country.

[JustHope]

Yes Guy Fawkes and Boxing Day, shops just don’t get that they do not apply in Ireland.

@Candy regions

[OddBoots]

I get your point and you're right, it is either ambitious or thoughtless.

I think because the history/meaning behind bonfire night has been lost in England the significance is not realised by head office. You'd think the area/store manager would have had some kind of veto though.

[TinklyLittleLaugh]

Bonfire night is celebrated in Wales, not just England. No idea about Scotland.

[sweetsomethings]

We very much have bonfire night in Scotland so maybe not just an English thing

[MrsDustyBusty]

I think because the history/meaning behind bonfire night has been lost in England the significance is not realised by head office. You'd think the area/store manager would have had some kind of veto though.

Its hard to know. There was a really funny one in tesco some time ago where they were selling children's nightdresses with 'I love bed and mickey' written on them. I expect if the manager had any discretion about what they sell, he thought it was just too funny to not sell.

Mickey is local slang for penis.

[BigGreenOlives]

Hammersmith & Fulham Council has eliminated all reference to Guy Fawkes, it’s holding Full Moon Fireworks parties.

[LaurieMarlow]

They have great form for this. My family live in a very republican area in Ireland. The local m&s is always stuffed full of Union Jack stuff.

In fairness, the local staff know how absurd this is, but head office don't appear to listen.

[BankWadger]

The minarch Guy Fawkes (and co) tried to blow up was James 6 of Scotland, so yeah still a thing here.

(Oddly still celebrated in NZ too)

I've been looking for warm Autumn clothes for 6 weeks now, but as all buyers apparently live in Cornwall I've been out of luck here in chilly Scotland