Why are people boycotting Boots? Are you?

[Deadbeatex]

For full disclosure I haven't seen the advert yet, but I'll probably end up searching for it if I don't come across it naturally during viewing in the next few days.

I've seen the #boycottboots and have worked out it's to do with their new Christmas ad. What's the issue? Are you boycotting Boots or do you think people are overreacting?

Randomly choosing the poll options simply because as stated I've not seen the ad so I don't currently have an opinion either way

YABU I'm boycotting
YANBU it's an overreaction

How is a man dressing up or identifying as a woman dangerous? In what way?
Using the word statistics then not actually giving a statistic doesn’t turn your opinion into a fact.

You would seek to apply the social mores of the time, and then judge them under the microscope of today’s values - sorry, that doesn’t wash - it’s called revisionism.

Following your logic, a number of historical figures, including Churchill, would be condemned. Perhaps you would rather have grown up speaking German.

What utter nonsense.

You can say the same thing about blackface. They both are the same thing. Both are mocking an oppressed group. Black people, and women. Why is one ok and the other not?

People say don't watch it. Then why don't we bring back blackface then? After all, 'people don't have to watch it'.

You can say the same thing about blackface. They both are the same thing. Both are mocking an oppressed group
No, they're not. Go say that on the Black MNer's board, see how far you get
Actually, no don't that's not an invitation and you will quite rightfully get your comment removed.

I don’t do boycotts and I’m not offended by the ad in the slightest but if I had to guess what’s upset people (I don’t believe it’s racism) I’d say that it’s because it’s super-woke and portrays Santa as a lazy arse who let’s everyone else do the work and then takes all the credit. Not exactly the magical figure of childhood fantasies.

The actress I recognise from Casualty, didn't really warm to her in that bit this Ad made me laugh.
We don't watch Terrestrial tv so thanks for posting the link.

I thought it was fun with people in I, I've no idea who's back white purple or anything else or what they feel about life and relationships, it was just a fun, tongue in cheek sketch, to me.

#not boycottingboots

They just want 5 mins of fame for compĺaining- if it didnt have all those folk in it as 'elves' then they would complain for that reason as well....

I also don't want to be sold make up by a drag queen or a man! I want to see women at a make up counter wearing the make up I want to buy! That's my choice! So, no I won't shop at a shop where they make fun of women.

I won't be boycotting but can see what people are complaining about.

But I also see why some people want more diversity and representation.

Well, I'm completely unwoke, and I find a lot of things eye rolling these days, but I watched this and liked it. I thought the fuss was about the ambiguously gendered elves, but - well they're elves, they're not sexual beings surely! As for the actress, I don't know what she's been saying and I don't really care, she's playing a part. It's pretty and glittery, that's what I want from a Christmas ad.

Well, I'm not boycotting them as just placed a massive order, but I also haven't seen the ad. Don't have an issue with it celebrating people with protected characteristics though.

Are these boycotters all fascists?

I am, however, boycotting X. I was very pleased when the Guardian also announced it was going to do this as it confirms I'm not entirely batshit.

Have you seen the advert? You're not being "sold make up by a drag queen or a man!"
Mrs Claus doing the handing out of products and sorting is a woman.

It is about people seeing themselves represented in advertising. The John Lewis ad for example features middle class women - their target audience. The Boots ad has gone down a different route and if some people are put off by it, that's their poor marketing decisions. They are not a social enterprise, with a brief to challenge the views and attitudes of the population. The ad is supposed to shift product and maximise shareholder return. And the share price has dropped...

They failed miserably haven't they?

Sadly calling black women men is an all too common thing among racists.

I just went to find it. Thought it was a pretty good Christmas advert really. Can't see the issue

Boots will be doing rather well from me this year! Just to piss off the

• racists
• homophobes
• any other ridiculous bigots not covered by the first two categories

It's like the year that people said they were boycotting Sainsburys for ...(checks notes) ...showing a happy black family at Christmas. How very dare they! That year we did all our food shopping in Sainsburys. Both boycotts demonstrate everything that is wrong with this country.

They are exactly the same things. Both are deeply offensive to an oppressed group. That you see one group as oppressed and another not and fair game is the problem.

Objectively I agree neither oppression is worse than the other. But in the present state of consciousness of the people involved I think you will find it just confuses people to say they are the "same" thing. Both need opposing but I think it will harm your cause to say they are the same. They need separate campaigns.

I couldn't hear the words, but it just looks like a carnival/ pantomime atmosphere. They must have dug really deep to get offence out of that

But Mrs Claus is the one who is racist. And a royal family hater.

She certainly is not. Her remark was taken out of context and, as usual, magnified by the media.
2023 Coronation comments
edit]
In May 2023, following the coronation of King Charles III, Andoh stated that the day's proceedings had "gone from the rich diversity of the Abbey to a terribly white balcony".[43] 8,371 complaints were made to the media watchdog Ofcom, the highest number of complaints for a TV broadcast in 2023.[44][45] Andoh explained that "I was talking about the day and how marvellous it was and then looking at the balcony at the end and suddenly going: 'Oh it's so white!' because the day had been so mixed. I didn't mean to upset anybody."[

She is an accomplished and intelligent woman and doesn't deserve this bad press, apart from which it has nothing to fo with the Boots advert which I think is very good.

@RedRiverShore5 Thank you! I came here to say the very same thing!

Who with any sense likes Drag Queens?
They are creepy sex clowns and should only be in adult entertainment.

I can never understand why it's considered acceptable to say that something is too "white". Imagine watching a Nigerian ceremony, for instance, and saying that it's too "black". This would be considered racist. But as long as one is complaining about too many white people, it's absolutely fine, and all white people should be made to apologise for existing.