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Original poster

To think encouraging people to send chocolate secretly is not a good idea?

259 replies

wokbun · 17/11/2023 11:31

So Cadbury do this thing where you can send chocolate anonymously to someone. AIBU to think this is not something to be encouraged? I'd be disturbed receiving unexpected chocolate to my home address.

OP posts:
ithinkthatmaybeimdreaming · 18/11/2023 18:43

AllProperTeaIsTheft · 18/11/2023 12:41

So it's a "safer" way to harass people through the mail?

Confused No. It's a way for people to send one particular brand of product anonymously through the mail, which they can already do, with absolutely any other postable-sized item they like, whether they're your mate, your granny, a stalker or a serial killer. At least with a delivery direct from a company, you know what the stuff is that you're receiving. I'm just a bit baffled that you think nobody (dodgy or otherwise) would think of doing this if it weren't for Cadbury 'putting it into their heads'.

I agree with this. Do you seriously think there are dozens of people out there who are desperate to stalk someone and can't think of any way to do it until they find out about the Cadbury scheme? We can't stop everything happening in the world because it might trigger or upset a small number of people.

Mamabear48 · 18/11/2023 18:39

This reply has been deleted

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AnneValentine · 18/11/2023 16:26

wokbun · 17/11/2023 21:04

Thank you. Yes I think maybe it depends if you've already experienced the anonymous gift/creepy scenario.

Yes its chocolate, yes chocolate is nice but that doesn't make this a frivolous thing to do.

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If this is something you’ve given more than 86 seconds thought on you’re a lucky human.

senua · 18/11/2023 13:44

Cadbury aren't 'encouraging people' to do things any more than any advert is.
I can't think of another campaign that encourages secrecy. I really disliked the ones that encouraged children to keep secrets.

OneTC · 18/11/2023 12:41

LumpyPumpkin · 17/11/2023 11:50

What do you mean by 'if anything goes wrong'? What could go wrong? Why would Cadbury need the sender's details?

Edited
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The bar slides out really vigorously and lands on your toe

AllProperTeaIsTheft · 18/11/2023 12:41

So it's a "safer" way to harass people through the mail?

Confused No. It's a way for people to send one particular brand of product anonymously through the mail, which they can already do, with absolutely any other postable-sized item they like, whether they're your mate, your granny, a stalker or a serial killer. At least with a delivery direct from a company, you know what the stuff is that you're receiving. I'm just a bit baffled that you think nobody (dodgy or otherwise) would think of doing this if it weren't for Cadbury 'putting it into their heads'.

Original poster
wokbun · 18/11/2023 12:23

AllProperTeaIsTheft · 18/11/2023 12:16

I have every sympathy with any woman who's had a stalker or experienced male violence, but are we really saying that companies shouldn't offer a service which many people would like, just because some people would not? Cadbury aren't 'encouraging people' to do things any more than any advert is. They are just advertising a service. Besides, if someone wants to send you something and can find out where you live, there's nothing stopping them. At least if it comes directly from a company you know it's a legitimate item.

So it's a "safer" way to harass people through the mail?

OP posts:
AllProperTeaIsTheft · 18/11/2023 12:16

I have every sympathy with any woman who's had a stalker or experienced male violence, but are we really saying that companies shouldn't offer a service which many people would like, just because some people would not? Cadbury aren't 'encouraging people' to do things any more than any advert is. They are just advertising a service. Besides, if someone wants to send you something and can find out where you live, there's nothing stopping them. At least if it comes directly from a company you know it's a legitimate item.

Unex · 18/11/2023 12:12

But it puts the idea into their minds
One real issue with the case was police failing to take warning signs seriously
A major marketing campaign very much plays into the hands of men wanting to make unwanted grand gestures to women
And oh, look a lovely excuse kindly provided by Cadburys

VisionsOfSplendour · 18/11/2023 12:05

Unex · 17/11/2023 20:04

YANBU
I'm normally pretty chilled, but I straight away didn't like the campaign AT ALL

It put me in mind of a stalker, who wanted to unsettle you. You'd have no proof it was him, but you'd know

There's recently been a women killed by her stalker near me, and it reminded me of that tbh

That's obviously horrific but this campaign won't have any effect on the number of stalkers unless you think they dont already know about the postal service

Original poster
wokbun · 18/11/2023 09:10

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They are the first as far as I know to have an advertising campaign promoting it

OP posts:
Longma · 18/11/2023 08:53

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Original poster
wokbun · 18/11/2023 08:47

PaperDoIIs · 18/11/2023 08:40

I get your point OP . It's not just the scenarios you posted , which are terrifying enough. But it could put at risk anyone in a volatile/toxic/abusive relationship to receive a random chocolate bar anonymously. No amount of explaining and showing it's a Cadbury thing would work.

Your main point is very valid, yes these things can and do happen anyways, but Cadbury's shouldn't be encouraging it and promoting it.

Thank you. Yes that is my point.

OP posts:
Original poster
wokbun · 18/11/2023 08:46

Pinkpinkpink15 · 18/11/2023 07:29

It's not like he couldn't do this anyway if he wanted to with chocolate/flowers/wine/a card/ a car...anything.

florists advertise
a million & 1 companies advertise 'delivery'

for YEARS you've been able to organise people to turn up at someone's house to sing, dance, strip...a ton of things.

if I didn't recognise your name I'd assume you worked for Cadbury!

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I don't think you should be able to do those things anonymously and I don't think Cadbury should be singing and dancing about it and saying how amazing it is. I don't work for them - I think its a shit idea.

OP posts:
PaperDoIIs · 18/11/2023 08:40

I get your point OP . It's not just the scenarios you posted , which are terrifying enough. But it could put at risk anyone in a volatile/toxic/abusive relationship to receive a random chocolate bar anonymously. No amount of explaining and showing it's a Cadbury thing would work.

Your main point is very valid, yes these things can and do happen anyways, but Cadbury's shouldn't be encouraging it and promoting it.

FoxClocks · 18/11/2023 08:02

I'm with you OP I'd be delighted if someone I knew sent me chocolates, but if a random bar turned up in the post I wouldn't feel comfortable with that and would wonder if it had been tampered with in some way.

Missingmyusername · 18/11/2023 07:47

I kind of get your get drift. Obviously what Cadbury send will be in bloody obvious Cadbury packaging. But people could lace a bar and send it out or post masquerading as free Cadbury choc and someone will fall for it.

Humans just aren’t very nice are they.

ChocolateCakeOverspill · 18/11/2023 07:44

I don’t like any gift sent through the post unexpectedly. My ex used to send presents after he’d beaten me up, sometimes to work, sometimes to home. He would also break into my flat when we’d broken up and leave things. It was very unnerving and made me doubt my sanity. Years later although logically I can rationalise stuff I would feel very uneasy with something anonymous being sent.

Shouldgetupearlier · 18/11/2023 07:35

Letsnotargue · 17/11/2023 11:59

Just please make sure the recipient doesn’t have a dog! Even well wrapped, if I was out and a bar of chocolate landed on my doormat it would not last very long at all.

This!

clpsmum · 18/11/2023 07:31

erikbloodaxe · 17/11/2023 11:34

Would you freak out if someome knocked your door too.

🤣🤣🤣

Pinkpinkpink15 · 18/11/2023 07:29

wokbun · 18/11/2023 07:22

The problem is what if its the creepy guy from the office who has been acting oddly and following me around and now has a way to send something anonymously to my house that is advertised as a bit of fun so anyone I'd tell about it will react as others here have done and go "but it's only chocolate- it's fun"

Show quote history

It's not like he couldn't do this anyway if he wanted to with chocolate/flowers/wine/a card/ a car...anything.

florists advertise
a million & 1 companies advertise 'delivery'

for YEARS you've been able to organise people to turn up at someone's house to sing, dance, strip...a ton of things.

if I didn't recognise your name I'd assume you worked for Cadbury!

Starsalign · 18/11/2023 07:25

wokbun · 18/11/2023 07:22

The problem is what if its the creepy guy from the office who has been acting oddly and following me around and now has a way to send something anonymously to my house that is advertised as a bit of fun so anyone I'd tell about it will react as others here have done and go "but it's only chocolate- it's fun"

Show quote history

But he could send anything anonymously to your house either by posting it himself or from pretty much any website- most don't come with the paper receipts enclosed anymore it's all online so you'd never know. I don't think people are disputing that someone anonymously sending gifts can be disconcerting and creepy, but that a scheme in which lots of people will happily use and get enjoyment out of isn't inherently wrong because some people might misuse it.

Original poster
wokbun · 18/11/2023 07:23

Whiteday · 18/11/2023 06:23

But anyone could send chocolate anonymously anyway!

Great marketing ploy by cadburys

They could! I don't think Cadbury should be encouraging it though.

OP posts:
Original poster
wokbun · 18/11/2023 07:22

Copperoliverbear · 18/11/2023 06:12

I think you are over thinking it, you'd know that it was from Cadbury's and you know about the advert and you'd know that they must have your address.
I don't see the problem

The problem is what if its the creepy guy from the office who has been acting oddly and following me around and now has a way to send something anonymously to my house that is advertised as a bit of fun so anyone I'd tell about it will react as others here have done and go "but it's only chocolate- it's fun"

OP posts:
Pinkpinkpink15 · 18/11/2023 07:22

WandaWonder · 18/11/2023 01:39

Do you not open your fridge incase the little man that switches the fridge light on and off jumps out and scares you?

And that people is why you don't keep chocolate in the fridge. He's a thieving little git, buy your celery is safe!!