Eloise HorsfieldITALIAN car giant Alfa Romeo has withdrawn a ‘sexist’ TV advert following criticism from Spain’s Women’s Institute.
The ad, for new car Giulietta, features Hollywood star Uma Thurman caressing a car – and herself – with a female voice throughout saying ‘I am Giulietta. Look at me, touch me, take me, control me’.
The Institute said the two commands ‘control me’ and ‘shout at me’ were particularly offensive.
“These words contribute to gender violence and give the message that it’s normal to control and shout at a woman,” it claimed, adding it had received a barrage of complaints from disgruntled viewers.
Alfa Romeo said it respected the comments and that it had not intended to create controversy.
In the UK, coincidentally the advert had not featured the same words, but was more subtle.
Meanwhile a leading Spanish surgeon has had to apologise for an offensive remark suggesting doctors only join the medical profession for a chance to ‘screw nurses’.
Dr Pedro Cavadas, who performed Spain’s first full face transplant in 2009, called the comments ‘unfortunate’ and ‘a mistake’, and apologised.
Well, at least AR didn’t suggest they “shift me into high gear”.
And now the UK is considerating LAW to be offended if someone calls you “fat or obese”… yup, next will be a UK law if you strongly call a person a TORY… or LABORITE… or .. Monarchist. (Don’t they have BETTER things to spend their political time & Taxpayers’ $$ on?) like should the UK be IN the EU or OUT? Send Billions of GBPs to Somalia or Zimbabwa to help them… read… or what?!
Offensive – WHY?? silly damn car doesn’t even have a 5 speed with an overdrive that you can control MANUALLY!
I say, FALSE ADVERTISING!!
Best of Spain – “And now the UK is considerating LAW to be offended if someone calls you “fat or obese”… yup, next will be a UK law if you strongly call a person a TORY… or LABORITE… or .. Monarchist.”
One of the very few things that the USA got right – a near-absolute protection regarding freedom of speech. The EU is great when it comes to protecting civil liberties in most cases until it comes down to freedom of expression and speech. Then be careful what you say, or even what gestures you make, as you may end up in jail.