You are Nth American. Are you offended by Aldi's Australian Christmas Ad?

Stephen B

Stephen B

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[size=13pt]What do you think of this advert?


[size=10pt]SUPERMARKET giant Aldi has been accused of vilifying Americans by portraying them in a Christmas television ad as “gaudy, pushy people”.

Aldi Australia was hauled before the Advertising Standards Board to answer a bizarre complaint about the quirky commercial which centred on a super enthusiastic American family called The Tinkletons.

In it the Tinkletons, clad in Christmas attire, run amok through a house of “normal” Australians throwing decorations and singing. The Americans are convinced their Christmas is better than Australia’s but they are up against perfect Aussie weather, backyard barbies, days at the beach and seafood feasts.

The complainant told the Advertising Standards Board: “This is highly offensive to any American. The Americans are portrayed as … weird while the Australians are apparently the normal ones wearing conventional clothing and neutral ­appearance. As an American I take offence at the way we are portrayed ... The ad demonises an entire nationality and culture … to sell groceries.”

The board ruled that the commercial did not breach the advertising code and dismissed the complaints.
[size=8pt]http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/al...y/news-story/280f3461bcf6d2f0513c159d99938e6b
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I agree with the Australian  Advertising Standards Board. It's just some Fun, and very different from the two main competitors who presented famous chefs giving quick Christmas recepies under/over a jingle.

However after reading opinions in today's Australian press both in support and against the Board's decission, I am wondering what some who actually live in NA might think.?
 
I do rather enjoy all of the blonde hairdos...other than that, it's just people just getting their undies in a bundie.

Interesting, didn't know that Aldi's was Australian. Never been to one even though it's only about 5-6 miles away.
 
Cheese said:
Interesting, didn't know that Aldi's was Australian.
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Aldi is a multinational. This add was by the Australian division.

I wonder if they had a similar (localized) version in all of the other countries that Aldi operates in.
 
Cheese said:
Interesting, didn't know that Aldi's was Australian.
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It's German based and privately owned. Used to shop there, still remember their imported Stollen.
 
No worse than Yahoo Serious in Young Einstein, which was actually produced by Australians.  Funny movie, funny ad.
 
Thanks for the input guys...didn't know that. Still like the blonde "do's" though.
 
Untidy Shop said:
...

The complainant told the Advertising Standards Board: “This is highly offensive to any American. The Americans are portrayed as … weird while the Australians are apparently the normal ones wearing conventional clothing and neutral ­appearance. As an American I take offence at the way we are portrayed ... The ad demonises an entire nationality and culture … to sell groceries.”
...
However after reading opinions in today's Australian press both in support and against the Board's decission, I am wondering what some who actually live in NA might think.?
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That the family sounded like they could have been Canadian...  [big grin]

Either way Aldi either has free advertising, or they lose a handful of expat customers.
 
I'm personally sick to death of every man and his dog being "offended" by one thing or another. Most people that profess to be offended by something are typically the biggest hypocrites themselves.

The world really needs to find it's sense of humour again.
 
The art of being offended is being raised to such a high level that only the blandest and most boring material has a chance these days.  Nowhere is this seen in more stark relief than university campuses, where the students who should be there to have their assumptions challenged and their world view broadened instead seek out "safe spaces" where ideas that bother or offend them are banished.  What happened to the simple approach of turning the channel if something offends you?
 
I thought it was funny----until someone got offended-----then it became hilarious [big grin] [big grin]

Tom
 
I think it's great that Aldi don't take themselves too seriously. Personally I'm offended by Jamie Oliver! But this hasn't stopped the other Supermarket from using him.
Last month Aldi were selling a 10 meter 37mm extraction hoses for $30 something dollar, great value I've been useing it for cleaning the workshop.
 
Saying one is offended is Nig much of an augment, but in this case they said why they were offended. So it is somewhat better than most claims of offence.
 
It doesn't bother me. We (in USA ) have all kinds of ads showing nutty Americans. Personally I think they are just showing some nutty Americans. I also think it takes a bit of  a jab at Australians too. Are any of you Australians offended?

BTW I have an Aldi in at least three of the towns and cities surrounding my area. I like the store for quite few items.

Seth
 
This was hilarious fun  [smile]  as an old hippie, I loved it.  Just the kind of thing that brings out charactor...unfortunately in some cases really poor.  I lived in Brittan three years while in elementary school and three in Germany in middle school.  Both times we lived in villages nearby the base.  No TV during those stints, which is why I read as much as I do.  I grew up with my father being a 20+ career military man.  It was a long strange road. I was born while he was a mechanics mate in the Navy, my two brothers were born in the Air Force, and he retired from the Army...all that time as an enlisted man. 
 
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SRSemenza said:
It . . . . . . . . .
I also think it takes a bit of  a jab at Australians too. Are any of you Australians offended?
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Well actually Seth I am offended, as I have never had or cooked shrimp/prawns on a BBQ.  [big grin] [big grin] [big grin]  [smile]  [member=1619]SRSemenza[/member]

Our Christmas lunch - cold pre cooked prawns.  [thumbs up] Not from Aldi.  [smile]

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Thank you to all who have replied so far and for your discussion.
 

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tjbnwi said:
I thought it was funny----until someone got offended-----then it became hilarious [big grin] [big grin]

Tom
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I find your post offensive

Hehehe
 
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