topic Re: Honestly, I’m really NOT easily offended in Community Chat

Honestly, I’m really NOT easily offended

violann — Mon, 19 Feb 2018 00:07:45 GMT

but this new eTrades Retirement Fund commercial really does annoy me.

I know some very capable older people who hold down all kinds of jobs for all kinds of reasons. They are dignified, successful, contributing members of society.

The cartoonish elderly depicted in that commercial are nothing like my friends and associates, some of whom are still employed past the typical age for retirement.

As it happens my state “borrowed” part of my pension which, of course, will never see its way to my pocket,

Stick to business, eTrades, and give up on your comedy commercials.

Re: Honestly, I’m really NOT easily offended

SaRina — Mon, 19 Feb 2018 00:33:58 GMT

I'm not familiar with that commercial, but I do find it sad that the senior population is too often the butt of jokes. Some may say, "Where's your sense of humor?", or "Lighten up", or "You have to laugh about it." Well, no I don't. That's not my sense of humor.

I would like to see more respect for seniors rather than seeing them as a punch line.

Re: Honestly, I’m really NOT easily offended

OKPrincess — Mon, 19 Feb 2018 00:52:43 GMT

Doesn’t bother me one itty bitty bit. I obviously didn’t need your company to retire🙂

Re: Honestly, I’m really NOT easily offended

jeanlake — Mon, 19 Feb 2018 00:56:30 GMT

Ageism is real -- as so many have experienced in the workforce after age 50. I'm surprised this company wasn't sensitive to this in their advertising. I also don't need them for retirement advise.

Re: Honestly, I’m really NOT easily offended

Kachina624 — Mon, 19 Feb 2018 01:55:10 GMT

@violann So you've expressed your annoyance with the e-trades commercial here on a QVC bulletin board. Have you expressed your feelings to those who have a vested interest, i.e. e-Trades? When you see an ad your first action should be to find a "contact us" address and let them know how you feel about it. I do this from time to time and have see several ads disappear, probably because others were offended too.

Re: Honestly, I’m really NOT easily offended

Cakers3 — Mon, 19 Feb 2018 01:58:26 GMT

@jeanlakewrote:
Ageism is real -- as so many have experienced in the workforce after age 50. I'm surprised this company wasn't sensitive to this in their advertising. I also don't need them for retirement advise.

@jeanlake I haven't seen the commercial but you are right-ageism is real.

Re: Honestly, I’m really NOT easily offended

Jaspersmom — Mon, 19 Feb 2018 02:03:38 GMT

Not sure which commercial you're referring to, so I'll check it out later. However, baby boomers and the generation before us make up a huge part of our population. We have a lot of power and it comes from our pocketbooks.

Re: Honestly, I’m really NOT easily offended

SunValley — Mon, 19 Feb 2018 02:12:15 GMT

The Toyota ads that featured the snotty, brash blonde kid had enough complaints they pulled them. With negative feedback, firms do listen. I wish they would get rid of that snotty, smug fruit cup drinker too—guess I should contact Dole.

Re: Honestly, I’m really NOT easily offended

tansy — Mon, 19 Feb 2018 02:17:35 GMT

The ad is directed at younger people to encourage them to invest for their retirement — a worthy goal. I don’t like the ads particularly but I’m not offended.

Re: Honestly, I’m really NOT easily offended

september — Mon, 19 Feb 2018 02:18:20 GMT

@Kachina624wrote:
@violann So you've expressed your annoyance with the e-trades commercial here on a QVC bulletin board. Have you expressed your feelings to those who have a vested interest, i.e. e-Trades? When you see an ad your first action should be to find a "contact us" address and let them know how you feel about it. I do this from time to time and have see several ads disappear, probably because others were offended too.

We have to start somewhere when we see something online, that annoys us. So we ask other people, where we usually post online, what they think.

The OP is doing that, and may take it further.

Re: Honestly, I’m really NOT easily offended

dex — Mon, 19 Feb 2018 03:28:53 GMT

@september I agree with your response...sometimes I feel a little offended by things and wonder if I am just overly sensitive about that topic or issue.

Re: Honestly, I’m really NOT easily offended

bonnielu — Mon, 19 Feb 2018 03:44:32 GMT

Not offended. The more people that think I am old the more help I get. I think it is kind of funny. I have doors opened for me, discounts I don't even ask for, people thinking I AM NOT CAPABLE OF DOING THIS OR THAT ( I get all sorts of help) LOL, and just an atmosphere of I COULD NOT POSSIBLY KNOW WHAT I AM DOING.

Re: Honestly, I’m really NOT easily offended

violann — Mon, 19 Feb 2018 13:36:41 GMT

@bonnieluwrote:
Not offended. The more people that think I am old the more help I get. I think it is kind of funny. I have doors opened for me, discounts I don't even ask for, people thinking I AM NOT CAPABLE OF DOING THIS OR THAT ( I get all sorts of help) LOL, and just an atmosphere of I COULD NOT POSSIBLY KNOW WHAT I AM DOING.

Good comment, and if you feel that you benefit from whatever will make your life better I say go for it.

It’s the depiction of the elderly as inept because of age that makes me wince. In especially the vignette with the lifeguard, the contrast between him and the two supple young things running with him appears to be based solely on his appearance, not on his competence.

in the fire fighter vignette, the small thin man would not be permitted to serve as a fire fighter if he were not able to perform the task,

The rock and roll tune spinner? No way to tell from the brief appearance whether she’s equal to the job or not, no matter how old or how young she is.

I actually DO intend to let eTrades know what I’m thinking about this, and yes, I think one of the valuable aspects of this board is its wide array of opinions.

Thanks to all!

Re: Honestly, I’m really NOT easily offended

nyc1 — Mon, 19 Feb 2018 13:45:44 GMT

I'm in my mid 60s, have more energy than most people half my age and have not lost a step. I laugh when I'm able to get Senior discounts and certainly have no problem taking advantage of what I'm being offered. I don't offend easily either, but do think it's a shame that this country kicks it's seniors to the curb instead of embracing them and showing them the utmost respect , as they do in Europe and Asia.

Re: Honestly, I’m really NOT easily offended

drizzellla — Mon, 19 Feb 2018 14:00:20 GMT

I have not seen the e-trade commercial. I will keep on the look out for it.

I have noticed commercials that are aimed at a younger demographic. The one that sticks out is a Tide commercial. I think it was shown during every commercial break for many months.

It is a middle aged couple folding clothes. They get to Grandma's underwear and make a comment. And then Grandpa appears in his underwear. Apparently, he forgot to put on his pants.

Really? That is the best Proctor and Gamble could do to make you want to buy Tide detergent?

Re: Honestly, I’m really NOT easily offended

chrystaltree — Mon, 19 Feb 2018 19:57:02 GMT

I haven't seen that particular commercial but advertising in general and the entertainment industry does demean, belittle and put older people in that "old fool box".

Re: Honestly, I’m really NOT easily offended

jeanlake — Mon, 19 Feb 2018 21:21:48 GMT

A couple of years ago I noticed too many TV commercials and comedy shows depicted males in their 20s, 30s, 40s as being oafs. I know pendalums swing wide during times of social change, and I'm all for empowering women, but making males appear inferior isn't the way. Just my opinion.

Re: Honestly, I’m really NOT easily offended

Phantom41 — Mon, 19 Feb 2018 21:47:38 GMT

@SunValleywrote:
The Toyota ads that featured the snotty, brash blonde kid had enough complaints they pulled them. With negative feedback, firms do listen. I wish they would get rid of that snotty, smug fruit cup drinker too—guess I should contact DoleI

I really, really disliked that Toyota commercial! Don't much care for the fruit cup drinker either!

Re: Honestly, I’m really NOT easily offended

SunValley — Mon, 19 Feb 2018 23:22:47 GMT

@Phantom41wrote:
@SunValleywrote:
The Toyota ads that featured the snotty, brash blonde kid had enough complaints they pulled them. With negative feedback, firms do listen. I wish they would get rid of that snotty, smug fruit cup drinker too—guess I should contact DoleI

I really, really disliked that Toyota commercial! Don't much care for the fruit cup drinker either!

I decided to do more than complain here, so I sent Dole a calmly worded summary of my dislike for the condescending tone in their commercial. I also pointed out that a fair number of folks consume the fruit syrup with their fruit and, gasp, are not drainers...lol