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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:
ValiumSingleton · 21/03/2011 23:24

I don't like those boots ads. I agree the one being referred to is awful, and booyhoo's response (post 2) +1!!

The one with at christmas where a girl gave a hair drier to her friend or sister, and everybody went quiet, as though some faux pas had happened, I didn't even understand what was supposed to have happened there. Usually I do get ads.

AnnieLobeseder · 21/03/2011 23:32

This ad isn't even original. The same thing was done in South African in the 1980's. Back when being sexist and racist was OK.

Point for debate... how does this ad compare to the menstrual pain medication ad where the women pulls a level to fling her DP out of a window?

ValiumSingleton · 21/03/2011 23:35

Annie, I didn't like that ad either tbh. I think it creates a platform for some to say 'well men are treated as worthless/stupid in adverts tooooo', but it also makes that woman look like she's over reacting and women are often accused of over reacting when they challenge somebody (eg have you got your period?). And ejecting him out the window is perhaps an over reaction. So, for reasons that I didn't think about until 25 seconds ago, I don't like that ad either.

BooyHoo · 21/03/2011 23:42

oh i hate the boyfriend flinging one.

no1 not all boyfriends are as irritating as that man was with all his noisy laughing

no2 not all women feel that irritated when they are pre menstrual

no3 even when women are that irritated tehy are able to control their actions. they don't become irrational beasts that can't be reasoned with.

no4 i could easily have dropped EXp out of a window even with a lack of premenstrual tension Grin

Frumentarii · 22/03/2011 01:36

Perhaps they should amend the advert to conclude with the woman saying "I refuse your sexual advancements at this time." Or something to that effect.

madwomanintheattic · 22/03/2011 02:21

i think 'oh do fuck off, there's a dear' and then a roll over would have ended it nicely.

that said, i did know a wanker nice chap that used to drink himself to oblivion then grab a box of aspirin on the way home for the wife. what jolly japes.

i think they are divorced now.

should point out i've never seen any of the ads. although the description of the pmt one made me go Shock

madwomanintheattic · 22/03/2011 02:22

or even 'you wasting your money in boots agin, love?'

before rolling over.

MadamDeathstare · 22/03/2011 04:29

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

wendylovesbob · 22/03/2011 05:27

Actually, that would work MDS.

He grins and proffers the asprin.
She grins back, reaches down the side of the bed and grabs a bottle of mouthwash to pass to him.

Touche.

Fin.

StewieGriffinsMom · 22/03/2011 08:09

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

GastonTheLadybird · 22/03/2011 08:21

Or passes him a tube of lube so he can finish himself off? So many better endings!

colditz · 22/03/2011 08:42

I haven't seen this, I don't really watch tv. But I don't like the idea of it.

"I don't feel like having sex with you tonight so I'm telling you I have a head ache so as not to hurt your feelings"

"Well, I have pre-empted your alleged headache, so now you either have to take the pills you don't need and have sex, or admit you don't have a headache and have sex, or just have sex with a headache. I have no interest in why you don't want to have sex. This is because from the neck up, you are of no interest to me, not when you are naked, so shut up and open up because you don't get to have a choice without having a confrontation about it."

David51 · 22/03/2011 09:18

If they just want to flog aspirins why not do an ad where the husband pleads a headache to get out of doing some domestic chore - then the wife triumphantly produces the packet of tablets, together with a mop or broom or whatever?

Of course this would also be perpetuating a cliche (lazy husbands). But it's a relatively harmless cliche and it would also serve to undermine or satirise the concept of women denying men their 'right' to sex.

TondelayoSchwarzkopf · 22/03/2011 12:08

I just hate the whole stereotype they do of women as domestic drudges and martyrs who need a pharmaceutical retailer to solve all their problems.

I think someone needs to tell them that their target market will be avoiding them in future because of their ads. I also don't shop there because of the tax thing, the supplements / homoepathy thing and because one of their pharmaceutical assistants once told me I damaged my baby because I'd used a cream antihistamine while pregnant.

Original poster
Skinit · 22/03/2011 12:32

It seems that Boots have been bit desperate to please women for a while and have done the opposite...

I won't be going there until that ad is off the air and they sort out their crappy attitude to women in general.

OP posts:
sethstarkaddersmackerel · 22/03/2011 13:44

I know Skinit.
It is really quite simple, all they need to do is to remember that women are people.

AnnieLobeseder · 22/03/2011 18:33

I like all the alternative endings! Grin

ValiumSingleton · 25/03/2011 20:22

Have yall seen the latest one? woman unwraps presents she's bought herself in front of her baby and says 'let's not tell daddy about these!'
gack.

CotswoldCountryMummy · 25/03/2011 22:13

i have seen the Boots ad and i don't find it offensive. There are times when i don't really feel like sex, but i just lay back and think of England. My husband is a wonderful man, i live in a beautiful house, and i love creating a lovely home, cooking delicious meals, entertaining etc - having sex when you don't feel like it isn't exactly a hard ship. It's always over in 5 minutes anyway. At least my husband goes to sleep happy, and so do i.

everythingchangeseverything · 25/03/2011 22:14

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

CotswoldCountryMummy · 25/03/2011 22:19

of course i am not trolling, and i am not trafficked either. That's a bit harsh i think. I am a happily married 10 years mother of one, and i happen to love my husband very much. He's a loving, caring man who has supported me in every way. I wouldn't dream of hurting his feelings by telling him "i'm not in the mood for sex". It's a small sacrifice, and i usally enjoy it once i get into it.

AnnieNotalobster · 25/03/2011 22:19

Wow CCM. You sound like a fantastic concubine.

Not all of us feel that sex with our husbands is the price a women should pay for a comfortable lifestyle.

Personally, I have too much respect for myself. And so does my husband.

CotswoldCountryMummy · 25/03/2011 22:31

who said i am paying a price? Why are you putting words in my mouth?
We have a huge amount of mutual respect for each other.
You are suggesting that i am prostituting myself in order to live in a beautiful home, when in fact nothing could be further from the truth. I have indepenant wealth, and were i not married, i would be enjoying the same lifestyle.
My husband and i enjoy a deeply fulfilling sex life and nine times out of ten i am in the mood so to speak. Occasionally ,i am not , but i make the best of it because i don't want to reject him.
This is my prerogative. It does not mean i am a concubine or a chattel or a prostiute, and no amount of your pseudo-feminist posturing will make me one. I have merely given my opinion.There's no reason to attack me

AnnieNotalobster · 25/03/2011 22:37

Sorry CCM, but that's how your first post reads. I really does sound like you think a women should put her man's needs first so that she can have a happy and comfortable life.

If that's not the case, I'm pleased to hear it.

And of course, sometimes we have sex when we're not necessarily in the mood. It's part of a mutually respectful relationship.

But in the Boots ad, the woman has made the choice that tonight is not a night to lie back and think of England; she has decided to say no. Her husband is not respectful of this decision and is pressuring her. This is not respectful. And Boots are trying to make a buck off the cheap giggle of a women being pressured into sex. It's nasty.

CotswoldCountryMummy · 25/03/2011 22:47

the premise of the boots ad does not bother me - it's the old chestnut about not being in the mood, but i have to agree that on principle, co-ercing your wife into sex by producing a packet of headache pills when she is unwilling is beyond the pale and should not be encouraged.
If my Husband waved a packet of nurofen in my face when i was in bed complaining of feeling unwell, i would be cross, and also rather hurt. I would feel as though he were putting his needs above my well being. Luckily for me, he does provide the pills...as well as a hot water bottle, a head stroke and a cuddle.....even if he does apologetically whisper "Sorry if it's sticking in your leg darling - i can't help it. You're so beautiful."

Sigh. :-)

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