Appropriate language for seniors?
Delray Beach, FL, December 2007
One of the sad realities of modern life is that we're constantly bombarded by marketing messages. Everywhere we look, someone's trying to sell us something. There is a silver lining, however: not every message is going to be perfectly crafted. Some will even be downright funny.
For example, I did a double-take when I noticed this restaurant's menu. They're selling "Happy Endings" sundaes to senior citizens. They've even trademarked the term.
Maybe it's just me, but "Happy Endings" isn't the kind of message I'd be delivering to people of a certain age.
Your turn: Inappropriate marketing messages. Please discuss.
Ha! I hadn't even thought of it like that until you pointed it out. Happy endings and seniors. Dude. I completely missed it.
ReplyDeleteHahaha...that was cute and well, kinda sad! I know just what you mean and a clothing shop for Plus sized Women in Charlotte, NC comes to mind for me...it is called 'Added Dimensions'. Now, I always thought, why would I WANT to shop there if I was already 'large'?
ReplyDeleteDo I want to 'add' more to my size?? lol
I love reading business names and taglines!
Glad Michele sent me your way!
You should totally send that to Leno for his "Headlines" bit.
ReplyDeleteThe first thing that came to my mind was a different kind of "happy ending." Call me a perve. I don't care. But my quess is that many folks over 60 still might enjoy a "happy ending." I sure hope I do when I'm that age.
ReplyDeleteI was more insulted by the idea of adding a sundae, like it's a kids' meal or something. And given the number of seniors with diabetes, who can't have the sugar? Really not wise.
ReplyDeleteMichele sent me today; I've been thinking this over since it came across my reader earlier.
Hope the walk was good!
Hehehe....Friendly's maybe?
ReplyDeleteHey, our treasured elderly get hot pants, sometimes, too!
ReplyDelete"Ramadan Mubarak" on an add for pork loin on sale. I ask you.
ReplyDeleteYes, I see you were at a Friendly's! I know - and my poor mom at 91 is diabetic...and there is that darn picture of ice cream...
ReplyDeleteI'll keep my eyes open for more of those not quite appropriate sayings!!!
I laughed out loud at the idea! And then I thought of the old movie Soylent Green. Funny and macabre all at once? Not many marketing monkeys can accomplish that - not sure whether I should applaud or whack them on the head for thoughtlessness!
ReplyDeleteThis reminds me of a huge mistake I made one time when I worked at a TV station. The time slot normally reserved for Cheers re-runs was featuring a station-produced public service program on not drinking and driving. I was responsible for scheduling commercials and accidentally let a Coors Light commercial slip in. "If your gonna party, party light." The show producer was so upset by the slip up that she went home and threw up. Not good marketing.
ReplyDelete..or it could be some culture jamming ;-)
ReplyDeleteMichele sent me to check in on your morbid take on the ice cream sundae!
ReplyDeleteThat's a "Friendlies" tm, where one of my daughters waitressed once.
ReplyDeleteIt does kinda imply the end is near, eh? Especially when you consider how good ice cream is for the heart...
I'm sure they meant to reference the end of the meal - but you are right - it has double meanings and I'd give them a piece of my mind!
ReplyDeleteHAHAHA... I have an older friend at work that refers to hotdogs as tube steaks. I do a double take every time I hear her say: "MMMmmm... tube steak Tuesday!"
ReplyDeleteHmmm...I dunno. I think the restaurant should get props for the unintended triple entendre...
ReplyDeleteOh I have a REALLY inappropriate marketing ploy that irritates me to no end. A major Pizza Chain (no name, but the 2nd word rhymes with nut) is advertising their newest deal...the Big Fantastic Deal....and they tout it as the BFD.
ReplyDeleteIt annoys me to NO end, simply because anyone with any amount of internet savvy (read: children over the age of 8, nowadays!) KNOW that BFD does NOT really stand for Big Fantastic Deal, but rather, for words I prefer not to type, write, or otherwise use in my daily language. And the fact that they have gotten away with it GALLS me to no end.
That and Hardee's practically ADULT ONLY commercial for a burger....ick.
I don't think the people that work at restaurant chains tend to pick up on unintended meanings like that. My husbnad tends to point things out to the workers at various establishments, and they always go "huh"? and never quite get it.
ReplyDeleteMichele sent me back again
lol thanks Carmi - that made me laugh... :)
ReplyDelete