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Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

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Original poster

AWFUL new Boots ad!

128 replies

Skinit · 21/03/2011 00:37

Just saw it...it's now 12.30am so doubt anyone's about now....but will bump tomorrow.

Basically it has a man and a woman in bed, she's reading and he is kissing her arm....in a suggestive manner.

She then says "Oh not tonight I've got a..." and he iterrupts with a pushy little wave of his box of headache tablets!

At which she looks resigned.

Shock

Who do I complain to? What utter claptrap!

I won't have my DDs seeing this kind of shit...and thinking it's acceptable to bully or pressure women into sex.

Can anyone advise/join me in complaining?

OP posts:
BooyHoo · 21/03/2011 01:01

how did he know she wasn't going to say "i've got an aversion to having sex with you ever since that time i saw you wanking over airbrushed pictures of what looked like pre-pubescent girls with breast implants"?

sorry, dont know how or who to complain to but i agree.

madhattershouse · 21/03/2011 01:04

It's a fine ad!! Take a pill and think of Britain... The fact that we are the most depressed nation and are on the most anti-depressants should get a mention..go on, take a pill and all is fine, in relationship and all...Wink Grin

piprabbit · 21/03/2011 01:10

You could complain to the ASA on the grounds that the ad is offensive.

here.

KatieMiddleton · 21/03/2011 01:36

Well I have withdrawn my 16p-worth of analgeisic custom in protest.
Wink

Tbh I find all their stereotypical ads a bit passé. It doesn't make me want to buy any of their stuff.

Original poster
Skinit · 21/03/2011 07:56

I am mad as hell about it. Thanks for the link piprabbit.

OP posts:
queenofthecapitalwasteland · 21/03/2011 08:46

This is the second advert they've come out with that is just rubbish, I do wonder who they test these adverts on. Or whether they test them at all.

I'm glad I'm not the only person who saw it and thought WTF Hmm

Meglet · 21/03/2011 08:49

It annoys me too. The one with the poorly mums pissed me off big time.

However, I do like the ones where they all get glammed up and go out Blush.

ChippingInMistressSteamMop · 21/03/2011 08:49

You could always see if they do anything that helps with the loss of a sense of humour.

ssd · 21/03/2011 08:52

awful, I agree

Original poster
Skinit · 21/03/2011 08:59

Chipping...this section is for those who care about women's rights. If you don't, then go and have a laugh in chat or something.

I think I saw it on Living during LA Ink...so I will be using the above link to complain.

Anyone care to join me?

OP posts:
BooyHoo · 21/03/2011 09:29

oh the two women with colds got right on my wick!!

wendylovesbob · 21/03/2011 09:33

What happens on the two women with colds ad?

yama · 21/03/2011 09:34

Skinit - I saw that ad but was only half watching so don't know when it was or what I was watching but I do want to complain. I shall do so next time I see it. It is basically saying men have a right to have sex.

Original poster
Skinit · 21/03/2011 09:36

Well Wendy...two women meet in the street and both have obvious sreaming colds...sniffing, red noses etc. They then discuss how they have each been out to get their DH's some cold medicine because they're "really poorly" and they then go on to discuss the fact that they're SO busy and list a ridiculous amount of chores....and all the time they cluck over their poor DHs.

It's meant to illustrate women putting themselves last I suppose...but what bloody end!?

OP posts:
Original poster
Skinit · 21/03/2011 09:38

yama....for me it was about half midnight last night...on Living I think.

It's the idea that it's ok to pressure women into sex that gets me.

Like she looks pee'd off even when he offers the headache pills...so she's obviously NOT INTO SEX at that moment.

But somebody at Boots thinks this is a fine and dandy message to put out....that women may not want sex but SHOULD do it.

OP posts:
BooyHoo · 21/03/2011 09:53

yes skinit, it's sending the message that it is ok to override a woman's desire not to have sex.

saying you have a headache is the oldest trick in the book (cliche wise) as a pretext for not being in the mood. every adult i know, is aware of that old chestnut and knows it isn't anything to do with actually having a headache. so for them to do this ad, is basically saying "make up whatever excuses you like love, i want to have sex so we're having it."

nethunsreject · 21/03/2011 10:01

I saw it and have also complained.

I hate the stereotyped ads anyway, but this one really crosses the line imo.

ChippingInMistressSteamMop · 21/03/2011 10:01

skinit - don't tell me where I can post.

I do care about women's rights, I just don't see every little thing as huge problem and have a sense of humour.

Hiding this whole topic now though because I think this section does as at least as much to discredit women as it does to help.

AyeRobot · 21/03/2011 10:14

Tut, tut. You're all doing it wrong again.

You're not alone Other thread

I think challenging damaging stereotypes is a hugely useful activity. Especially those in advertising. I don't find the useless men ones amusing either. Perhaps I just prefer comedy to be less clichéd.

vouvrey · 21/03/2011 10:16

I'm not shopping in Boots again. It's superdrug for me from now on.

sethstarkaddersmackerel · 21/03/2011 10:19

I like funny adverts, just not sexist insulting ones.
I don't like racist ones either, I always wonder if the people who think objecting to sexism means you haven't got a sense of humour are ok with those.

vouvrey · 21/03/2011 10:19

I'll have to wait until I see it again until I can complain. Why do the ASA make restrictions on complaints? Does it matter when I saw it? Angry

BertieBotts · 21/03/2011 10:20
Confused

Wasn't this suggested in "What Women Want"? and all the female execs immediately thought "What a bastard!" "That is sick!" etc.

BooyHoo · 21/03/2011 10:29

really bertie?

i remember reading a stupid women's magazine article once. the topic was of course "how to please your man" (or something along those lines anyway) and there was a problem shooting section at the end of it. one of the problems was "what if i dont feel like it" and they gave various reasons for why a woman might feel up to it, period, headache, tiredness being just a few. they suggested that orgasm will soothe period cramps so no excuse not to get on with it. the chemicals released during sex will get rid of a headache so again no excuse and that sex also helps you feel ready to sleep, again, no excuse.

i was fuming reading that.

BooyHoo · 21/03/2011 10:30

might not feel up to it

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