Scorpio
As I ate my dinner, the commercials came on. Harmless right? A car commercial, then a non smoking ad, every thing's going great. Then the phrase that I never want to hear, especially when I'm eating dinner, rang loud and clear...
"Have a happy period!"
My night was ruined. My dinner was ruined, the whole experience was ruined.
I can't understand why commercials for period relief, or whatever it's called, are given the green light to run during peak eating hours. If I had it my way, they would pull all the commercials for them. I mean, every woman in the world between the ages of roughly 15 and 50 have their period. Is there really a consumer demand for more than one product out there?
And if there is that much of a demand, and there is a huge difference between different products, then why to the slogans have to be so informative.
They talk about blood flow, and those little diagrams that compare the ultra thin pads with the extra heavy pads.
When a Viagra commercial comes on you don't hear something like: "Viagra can make that cock hard so you can plow that old prune," do you?
And for any girl that's thinking, "Oh god don't be so immature, deal with it," then ok, that's fine, I personally have no problem with the whole 'cycle issue'. I learned about it in grade 7 - we all did - I know what's going on in there.
However, what if your sitting on the couch with a guy, and things are going pretty good, you're alone, you're getting close under the blanket, your comfortable with each other, and all of a sudden a commercial for periods come on. Your telling me that it's not at all awkward?
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Re: Bad Timing
By Michelle Kenneth, April 28, 2008 at 09:16To a degree...you have a point. I don't like to think about toenail fungus (and those little cartoons showing the little parasite getting ready to jump under your toenails...and then they take off the toenail in the commercial to show you how deep down they get). I think it goes more along the lines that they are taking the toenail off that grosses me out. Then there's the drug commercials for erectile dysfunction...really I could care less.
Men are notorious for hording the remote...change the tv when the commercial comes on like most regular human beings do instead of complaining about something like this. That's what I do when I'm at home watching tv...I change the channel when the commercials are on. You are the one in control of what you are watching.
You don't want to watch something on TV...you change the channel. It's simpler than sitting through and losing your appetite over something. That's why I do not eat while watching slasher movies. Some of those things are so disgusting...I lose my lunch over it.
These commercials are not out of the realm of your control. You are in control of what you watch, not the commercials.
Re: Bad Timing
By Mike Small, April 28, 2008 at 09:02While a commercial talking about a woman's period is hardly enough to ruin my meal, I wish they wouldn't present them in such a 'Yay!! I'm so excited for my period so I can use this great tampon!" way.
Re: Bad Timing
By Bud Oracle (not verified), April 28, 2008 at 18:06For a great understanding of all aspects of marketing listen to this show:
http://www.cbc.ca/ageofpersuasion/
For my perspective see my response under Tech and us by Klaus Kaczor
http://republic-news.org/archive/127-repub/127_letters.htm
Re: Bad Timing
By Bud Oracle (not verified), April 27, 2008 at 23:35Well, well, well, Ian Jacobs. I just don't see where its such a big deal.
It says a lot about you that your level of sensitivity is so acute.
Let me be clear here you are objecting about where your mind traveled as stimulated by the commercial? Are we to take it that your mind's journey is somehow someone else's responsibility?
Thanks for your graphic insights, it was quite a ride, bumpy but thought provoking.
Re: Bad Timing
By jacobsi, April 28, 2008 at 07:05Dear Bud,
You are correct; my level of sensitivity is acute, along with my powers of observation.
You speak about your powers as an oracle in your bio, and your love for communicating insights. If so, then you should gladly welcome my take on what I have patented 'the cycle issue'.
My mind often travels where it feels necessary to go, and it is certainly not the responsibility of others, but I welcome others to take the journey with me.
You should understand that, with your "outgoing nature" and all, right???
Re: Bad Timing
By Trisha Baptie, April 27, 2008 at 20:01I remember vividly a decade+ later getting frisky with a cutie on the sofa and THE ad came one tampons I believe... uncomfortable and awkward!
It did make me wonder why we don't have jock itch cream, or jock strap ads or anything as equally embarrassing....and viagra commercials don't quite cut it.
I will say he behaved like such a dufus around the whole feminine protection commercial he never got past second base!
PS I have never said to any fellow woman nor has one said to me `Have a Happy Peroid`
Re: Bad Timing
By Heather Wallace, April 28, 2008 at 05:19Trisha - I could tell you to Have a Happy Period, but I know it ain't never going to happen!
Re: Bad Timing
By jacobsi, April 27, 2008 at 18:54I have no problem with the commercial itself, but during dinner time? Shouldn't there be someone or something censoring when they are run? Or better yet, an advisory warning before it airs. The WWE, UFC, and films with nudity all have warnings before they come on...
And BEER COMMERCIALS??? It's ok, I wont take complete offense to it, and you can argue that maxi pads (sp.) and tampons are a product that are being sold just like Budweiser and Molson, but beer is targeted at both male and female over (and sometimes under) the legal age, where as "pads" are solely for women.
Bladder control is targeted at probably older people, but everyone gets old so its still relevant.
Baby Diapers are targeted at parents, but anyone can become a parent so its still relevant.
And Wart removal is targeted at people who have warts, which also can be anyone.
Until men start having periods, I think they should either tone down the casualness of the commercials, or just not run them when us guys are eating...!
I'm kind of neurotic, so sorry if I took this to an unnecessary level haha
Re: Bad Timing
By Heather Wallace, April 28, 2008 at 08:17The reason I have a problem with some beer commercials is because they AREN'T targeted at men and women, even though women clearly drink beer. By and large they appeal to men's base desires. It's not enough to ruin my meal, but makes me want to drink more wine.
Re: Bad Timing
By Heather Wallace, April 27, 2008 at 16:51Ok, the Viagra commercial doesn't say anything close to "plow that old prune," but it does come on, as do commercials for bladder incontinence, baby diapers or wart removal cream...let's not single out women's periods for "eek" factor, but address all the commercials we could do without, like beer commercials.
I know, I've just started a war by bringing up beer commercials. Bring it on!
haha
heather
Re: Bad Timing
By Bud Oracle (not verified), April 28, 2008 at 17:58Why is it that whenever someone mentions beer commercials, I get thirsty?
And the truth is I haven't had one since August 2003. Can you see the power of the marketer here?