Disgusted at this advertisement on a bus (photo included)

[Kerry71]

Does anyone else find this imagery completely inappropriate in this day and age, or am I a prude as my husband so kindly put it? It unnecessarily objectifies women and I thought we’d moved on from this sort of thing.

I don't know about offensive, but it's a dreadful advert. I'd struggle to read it, and probably have to leave my seat to do so.

I think you have taken the poster a bit too literally

Agree

Not it doesn't. It is telling people to stay seated until the bus has stopped. It is a safety ad. Someone in heels would be more vulnerable to falling over on a moving bus than someone in trainers.

What if the legs were wearing a pair of loose trousers, but still in heels (is that a thing? I have no clue about fashion or what goes with what )?

No, I'm not buying it.

You still haven’t said what exactly it is about the image that offends you so much.

Looks very dated, like something from the late 80’s/early 90’s! Old fashioned as very few women commute on the bus in pencil skirts and high heels these days.

Probably just wanted people to be drawn quickly to the nice pair of legs in order to read the message.

Daft and a bit cringe but not something I would be disgusted or outraged about. It is unnecessary though. And a bit pathetic in a Carry On kind of way.

I agree with you.

Very old fashioned and I don't see the need to show a woman's legs and high heels in a poster about safety in buses.

A lot of disingenuous comments on this thread as well...

It doesn’t offend me. It’s just a pair of legs. It looks very dated because those shoes are old fashioned but I don’t think it’s inappropriate.

Many people take things a bit literally. As anyone designing safety campaigns should be well aware.

I think this is something that can be taken either way. Have they put a pair of legs that look “ professional “ ( ie , someone commuting to work ) , or to look ‘sexy’ and therefore objectify women?

Putting a pair of joggers , trainers etc could give the wrong look ( like they’re saying only ‘common’ people ride the bus ) . Putting a pair of men’s legs , looking smart as though they’re going to work - well , that could then be taken as “ oh , so it’s only men who are going to work?! “

I don’t think it’s really that deep , but it got you talking didn’t it …. Advertising 101

Exactly what ads are meant to do.

I mean, we are all talking about it on here. It has done it's job.

Sorry OP don't see anything wrong with it.

Doesn't even say anywhere or implys that its even a woman

Ive met men with better legs than that!

Well now you did well and spread the word that people are supposed to sit. Got your and everyone's attention.

It’s selling a safety message. HTH even though I know you’re being deliberately cool girl obtuse.

It's a bit cringe. They should have used a pair of legs in socks and sandals, lol.

Had it been a bust i might have seen the problem but its just a pair of legs...

It looks like a candidate from The Appentice came up with the concept and then modelled for the poster.

Yes cartoons are also a good way to get the message across. I'm not saying there aren't better posters out there. I'm not saying this advert isn't dated. What I am saying is it's not offensive or sexualised. The reason it's just legs is to convey the message more clearly.
I doubt this is a recently made advert as the footwear is dated in style so I don't think we need to worry about this. When I looked on Google at this bus company it seems they do now use cartoon people to convey this message on their posters
So probably this one just hasn't been changed to a new one yet.
It's really not worth getting het up about.

I do agree there can be a big probable with headless women in adverts but I just wouldn't lump this image in with them.

I mean, if your issue is the bareness of the legs and/or the heels, I'd say you were exceptionally delicate. What's the problem? Working professional women can't use a bus? People mustn't go out like that?

Thats really not objectifying anything or anyone, let alone "women". Hey, different take - could be trans for all you know!

Really not sure what's rubbed you up the wrong way, but I hope public transport gets... easier for you?

So you honestly think they designed a whole safety campaign only aimed at women in heels? It doesnt say "women in heels please remain seated until bus stops"

I'm not sure. They could have used a more neutral image - jeans and trainers perhaps - so perhaps this is using a young woman's legs to grab attention. Is that inappropriate? (I do wish she wasn't wearing high heels but that's because I don't like high heels and wish women didn't wear them.)

I don't get it, what's wrong with it?

Absolutely, it seems like a lazy throw back.

Ooooh... Plot twist!