To think Poundland ad is not “genius” and is actually a bit I appropriate?

[speakerwoofers]

Most comments on Facebook are proclaiming it “genius.” I don’t think a sexual innuendo is that genius TBF.

Plus why is it a woman lying on her back with a t shirt saying “power” and a man standing over her dominating her. They could have at least chosen another sexual innuendo.

Also difficult to explain to kids.

Or have I got the wrong end of the stick?

If Barbie had been another elf it may have been amusing. As far as all that elf nonsense goes. Certainly not offensive. But they chose a Barbie, female. Wearing a ‘power’ top. Arms stuck by her sides. The poses are purposeful. Suggesting sexual assault - not suggesting consensual trabagging. Purposely trying to be offensive? That’s what you’re saying Elton & pumpkin?

It's not saying sexual assault at all unless you read it that way! So the faux outrage towards the kids from some posters/tweeters is your own projection. All this censoring is more disturbing than the actual tweet itself.

Open MY mind Pumpkin :)

Yeah I'd say Poundland is full of women who are working there while doing medical and law degrees.

Even if it is don't THOSE women deserve any of your consideration knowing they are going into work for a company that thinks an elf mimicking shoving his balls in a prone and questionably consenting barbie's mouth is hilarious. Or are law students and med students undeserving of any thought?

But again, you really have added to my understanding of the US election so thank you.

pumpkin - Terms like that do your cause no help whatsoever.

What do you mean by ‘your cause’?
Being against normalising sexual assault? Against joking about sexual assault?
I’m disappointed that’s not ‘your cause’ pumpkin or indeed everyone’s ‘cause’.
It’s very sad when other women don’t see this.

But again, you really have added to my understanding of the US election so thank you.

Absolutely nothing to do with the Trump election here, he's an idiot I would never have voted for if I could but if it opens your mind to all women don't automatically think the same as we're our own people then all good.

pumpkin can you really not see how this image comes across? And that’s ok with you? So why choose Barbie and not another Elf?
Beltane I’m not on LinkedIn. And to be honest I think this campaign will seriously harm Poundland. Fingers crossed.

pumpkin can you really not see how this image comes across? And that’s ok with you? So why choose Barbie and not another Elf?

As someone who's into social media, that's probably WHY they've done it. They knew they were going to touch a nerve. Bring out the debate.
Have everyone talking.
For everyone outraged saying they're boycotting they've got just as many people suddenly liking them as they're representing their brand of humour!
When one gets suppressed, you're going to protest/like it more. Prevalent on MN too, if you hold a minority view you get shouted down more.

You are missing my point.
They have deliberately chosen sexism BECAUSE it’s acceptable. If they wanted to be outrageous why didn’t they choose racism?

If they wanted to be outrageous why didn’t they choose racism?

Not. The. Same.

I'm now talking to people on twitter instead of going to sleep

Pumpkin, you realise you announced you took offence at the term handmaiden- and then followed up by asking what it means?

Also you took offence at the idea the shop might have some staff who lack other options, then suggested one category of worker might be SAHM seeking "any"
route back into work....the very definition of someone who has limited options.

"Any route" was your choice of words.

You seem a bit confused.

Why is sexism an acceptable ‘brand of humour’?
Racism isn’t - and when it is we are outraged and allowed to be outraged. Yet when it’s sexism it’s clever marketing?
Sexism is dated. It’s not edgy. It’s not cool. And it most certainly isn’t funny. The fact that you find people annoyed by it funny is sad, very very sad. I wonder if you’d find the outrage funny if it was a racist joke?

Also you took offence at the idea the shop might have some staff who lack other options, then suggested one category of worker might be SAHM seeking "any" route back into work....the very definition of someone who has limited options.

That is some seriously latching onto any words at all in my comment to back up your own argument. Any?! I'm not the one saying that people working for Poundland have limited options. The other poster was.
I was merely saying that retail jobs are just as good despite what other posters may say.

Why is sexism an acceptable ‘brand of humour’?

So what should we find funny? You tell me. Who or what do you find funny?

Explain to me why you think it’s the same?
It’s offensive. Sexism is offensive.
Racism is offensive. Both are offensive. Same.

So what should we find funny? You tell me. Who or what do you find funny?

Don't know if we cross posted there so will post again.

I don’t find sexism funny. Or racism funny. I find HIGNFY funny and WILTY. And private eye etc. Motherland was funny too.
We all know you find people being outraged funny & think sexism is fine. I don’t. Like I said dated. Offensive and not clever.

You have yet to explain why sexism is ok but racism isn’t?
Both offensive. Same

Pumpkin "Nothing to do with having less choice of jobs. Students, studying for medical degrees? SAHM'S with law degrees, wanting to get back into the workplace after several years out of it in any old way?"

You said those words. I'm saying you've argued against your own point.

Which you have, as is completely encompassed in that statement.

You seem very confused indeed.

We don’t need to resort to sexism to be funny. It goes to show how ingrained it is that you (and others) find this acceptable AND find the comments highlighting the crassness so hilarious.

beltane I don’t think she’s able to discuss any points with either of us. Just going around in circles.
Bedtime beckons. Night night

As I said, humour is subjective. Have I Got News For You puts me to sleep. Angus Deayton makes me yawn for a start.
WILTY? Is that shorthand for Would I Lie To You? Only briefly seen but that one where you have to fib about where something's true or not.
Hate that one if so. Tell the truth and stop spinning people along, FFS.
As I said, each to their own. Not offensive to everyone.

I find HIGNFY funny and WILTY

Sorry, my post was meant to include this highlighted bit. My internet's playing up tonight.

So the ad where the elf is brushing his undercarriage with a toothbrush or drawing a penis shakes cactus on an etch a sketch? Do you have a problem with those?

Why would teabsgging an elf be ok but barbie isn’t? You can project an unconscious / unconsenting, feminist persona on a barbie but if it’s an elf it’s ok? Would it be ok it was a ken or gi joe? Are you offended at sexual assault or someone daring to find feminism funny?

Had not seen it until now, funny yes but for a high street retailer of every day items totally inappropriate and unsettling. Why and how was this approved by the powers that be at the company as representing their ethos. The mind boggles.

I laughed.

Thing is, I know it's vastly inappropriate, but years of social conditioning to see that stuff as humour, kicked in.

Some of the others, like the cactus/pens etch-a-sketch and the toothbrush one fall into the category of crass, school boy humour. This one, with the barbie doll wearing a power t-shirt, leave no doubt over how litte Poundland value women and presumably a majority of their staff and customers are female. I saddens me that I see there are so many men and young women in Twitter who can't see the difference. The shop is a high street store which sells everyday necessities not some 'edgy' brand aimed at young (sexist) males.

I see a lot of elderly people in Poundland. I doubt many of them would get the joke or care to have it explained to them on Christmas day.