Does this ad bother you?

[23DenaliBDE]

It isn't, but it can be a turn off. It also isn't clever or funny, so it is just base and lazy.

Also, what is the real message? Are they implying that one's life is so depressing that they might as well just buy a new cue because the person's shitty little existence is basically a list cause?

This is different than the great ads that proclaim that their customers should splurge because they deserve it. This is basically saying, 'hey you piece of shit, you gave up years ago, take the last step and buy a cue from us after you put down the crack pipe.'

I didn't say it's a good ad. Anyone claiming that counts as profanity or, better yet, claiming to be offended needs to never open their eyes at risk of being offended

 

[DeeDeeCues]

I didn't say it's a good ad. Anyone claiming that counts as profanity or, better yet, claiming to be offended needs to never open their eyes at risk of being offended

If saying, or implying the word, 'fuck' isn't profane, what is?

I saw Chuck Palahniuk, author of Fight Club, speak. Her claimed that he only used 'fuck' one time in fight club. He explained that it is the most powerful word in our language, but it loses meaning when overused.

So, finally, since you seem so determined to misrepresent and misunderstand what I write, how many times do you normally say 'fuck' when you are talking to people you don't know, or people you are trying to impress?

 

[trob]

No. But I’m not a child or liberal looking for something to be mad at.

 

[23DenaliBDE]

If saying, or implying the word, 'fuck' isn't profane, what is?

I saw Chuck Palahniuk, author of Fight Club, speak. Her claimed that he only used 'fuck' one time in fight club. He explained that it is the most powerful word in our language, but it loses meaning when overused.

So, finally, since you seem so determined to misrepresent and misunderstand what I write, how many times do you normally say 'fuck' when you are talking to people you don't know, or people you are trying to impress?

I don't try and impress anyone. Ever. That would, in fact, be the exact opposite of how I try and live my life. I also do not use that word, ever. Neither did the ad. So again, anyone bothered by the sight of a single letter, probably better spend their lives with their eyes closed. I can't imagine how they would possibly deal with the sight of something actually concerning

 

[23DenaliBDE]

If saying, or implying the word, 'fuck' isn't profane, what is?

I saw Chuck Palahniuk, author of Fight Club, speak. Her claimed that he only used 'fuck' one time in fight club. He explained that it is the most powerful word in our language, but it loses meaning when overused.

So, finally, since you seem so determined to misrepresent and misunderstand what I write, how many times do you normally say 'fuck' when you are talking to people you don't know, or people you are trying to impress?

Also, anyone thinking that is the most powerful word in our language failed to put much thought into it. I assure you the word Love has the power to actually change lives. Try using it more if you were not aware of that. I can give you many other examples as well, but it you don't get that one you won't get the others.

 

[Flakeandrun]

If saying, or implying the word, 'fuck' isn't profane, what is?

I saw Chuck Palahniuk, author of Fight Club, speak. Her claimed that he only used 'fuck' one time in fight club. He explained that it is the most powerful word in our language, but it loses meaning when overused.

So, finally, since you seem so determined to misrepresent and misunderstand what I write, how many times do you normally say 'fuck' when you are talking to people you don't know, or people you are trying to impress?

It isn't though.... it's a sentence enhancer. SpongeBob taught me that. Anyway, if you really want to turn heads, call someone a C***

 

[Flakeandrun]

Also, anyone thinking that is the most powerful word in our language failed to put much thought into it. I assure you the word Love has the power to actually change lives. Try using it more if you were not aware of that. I can give you many other examples as well, but it you don't get that one you won't get the others.

There's a whole list of words that can get you put on the 'watch' list of different governments. That is truly life-changing

 

[Flakeandrun]

I could care less what tactic is being used to separate me from my money. To mebeing frugal just means you understand the importance of protecting your own assets.

What is interesting to me is how gender specific most advertising is. Walk into any mall clothing store and you have to look hard to find the men’s department. Women are targeted far more by advertisers for a specific reason.

Look at the target audience for pool... Anyone with some knowledge of branding/marketing could see this isn't made to be a woman's game, and when it is, it's going to be a hot pink one, with flowers on top. Just so they know they're in a different ballpark.

Sadly, we live in a world that is incredibly gender specific... to the point where brands sometimes even reinforce gender roles and stereotypes with faux neutrality (It's a world specific about all manner of other stereotypes too, often reinforced by creating 'for', 'neutral' and 'against' - three different audiences with purchase power/weight).
It's an absolute minefield to truly understand self, and identity, and how this is often shaped for money. It's incredibly important to question regularly why we define, or stand firmly behind perceptions or images of stereotypes that we acknowledge in our life, why they exist and how they are reinforced (often for capital gain).

 

[boogieman]

Does this ad bother you? It contains an F-bomb within its body of text, and seems a bit inappropriate due to the fact it reaches all facets of society. Some people might not think twice about it, but others may think it's inappropriate. It just seems a bit unprofessional to me.

Unprofessional but who gives a F?

 

[Hungarian]

It doesn't bother me.
You'd have to live a pretty sheltered life to avoid swear words at any age.

Bullsh!t. I by no means live a sheltered life but they are a professional billiard equipment vendor and should act as such.

 

[Hungarian]

As a CMO I can tell you that they have a really good read on segmentation of who buys the most stuff from them and the copy in that email is tailored to appeal to that demographic.

You are not that demographic, hence the cognitive dissonance when you read it.

Right now all advertising is in a huge state of flux as marketers struggle with how to be more relevant to their target and key segments while not alienating the fringe segments. At some tipping point, the data tells the marketer that the benefits outweigh the disadvantages and boom you get a pretend F-bomb in an email.

You have two options, 1. Unsubscribe from their marketing and find a vendor that is better aligned with your values. 2. Move on, let go, and realize that you may not be important to that vendor but still want to do business with them.

I got a third option, drag their name through the mud and try to get them canceled.

 

[SeniorTom]

I don't try and impress anyone. Ever. That would, in fact, be the exact opposite of how I try and live my life. I also do not use that word, ever. Neither did the ad. So again, anyone bothered by the sight of a single letter, probably better spend their lives with their eyes closed. I can't imagine how they would possibly deal with the sight of something actually concerning

Okay, I am impressed that you do not use that word, you are probably a bit of an anomaly with reference to that, but if you think that is just a single letter, you are thinking in a naive manner. Everybody on planet earth knows exactly what they meant and what were they were implying. I mentioned earlier that I use the word often enough when jibber-jabbing with my friends, or in an automobile when another driver disturbs me, but there has got to be a situation where it shouldn't be used for a matter of respect, especially when you're dumping it out on the internet to millions of people who are of all different understandings.

 

[Flakeandrun]

Bullsh!t. I by no means live a sheltered life but they are a professional billiard equipment vendor and should act as such.

Their name is literally 'pooldawg' - screams waistcoat and bowtie. How formal

 

[Flakeandrun]

Okay, I am impressed that you do not use that word, you are probably a bit of an anomaly with reference to that, but if you think that is just a single letter, you are thinking in a naive manner. Everybody on planet earth knows exactly what they meant and what were they were implying. I mentioned earlier that I use the word often enough when jibber-jabbing with my friends, or in an automobile when another driver disturbs me, but there has got to be a situation where it shouldn't be used for a matter of respect, especially when you're dumping it out on the internet to millions of people who are of all different understandings.

Have you ever listened to an Australian speak? You'd probably faint
Words mean different things to different audiences.
They are marketing to an audience that wouldn't care. It's their risk to take. Simply don't buy if you don't like it... but as I mentioned before, if they were selling what you needed at a price you couldn't beat... you'd forget your morals fast enough lol

 

[SeniorTom]

Have you ever listened to an Australian speak? You'd probably faint
Words mean different things to different audiences.
They are marketing to an audience that wouldn't care. It's their risk to take. Simply don't buy if you don't like it... but as I mentioned before, if they were selling what you needed at a price you couldn't beat... you'd forget your morals fast enough lol

You'd probably
You'd forget
I'm not sure how you'd know what anybody else would do? Frankly, when people compromise quality, values, I actually forget about how much money I would save (as it probably wouldn't be much of any) and go somewhere else and shop.

 

[SeniorTom]

I created a poll (I just f-bombed my smartphone due to a voice to text error it created) so please feel free to cast your vote according to who you are and what you think. Thanks.

 

[Flakeandrun]

You'd probably
You'd forget
I'm not sure how you'd know what anybody else would do? Frankly, when people compromise quality, values, I actually forget about how much money I would save (as it probably wouldn't be much of any) and go somewhere else and shop.

Then you sir, are in a privileged position that not many people find themselves in. Cash to burn (or time to spend thinking of things to be annoyed about...)
I often get into trouble for having an approach of understanding, or considering the ethicality of things... US friends here often find questions asked to understand, more of an attack on their reason to say things that don't actually have any weight or backing lol Therefore, discussions become arguments rather quickly, about things that are quite often, not particularly serious or complex.
Sometimes I feel that a 'side', or argument is picked, just because someone feels like they need to (maybe to fit in, or find a crowd?). This thread kind of seems like that to me. Problem for the sake of it.

As you said, you can shop somewhere else (and I am happy for you that you have the ability to chose)

 

[tomatoshooter]

It's in a marketing email, so I'm guessing it went out to a self selected group. It does come across as a bit unprofessional, but it's not in the Sunday paper. It doesn't bother me, but it's not appealing to me either.

As far as marketing and demographics go, perhaps they have decided that they can get a better return appealing to the crowd that enjoys crass advertising. I see an awful lot of that these days, i honestly find many of the more bro-y ads almost insulting.

I don't like seeing F- bombs written or implied on bumper stickers, I always imagine a parent driving with their kid who's just learning to read. "Daddy what's F..." maybe that's why they have rear facing car seats.

 

[Mr Machine]

Tom I didn't read it and prefer not too because of this ad I saw. Mando deodorant for men, has women telling you after application on your ''package'' you'll be good for 72 hrs.
I'd like to see a Man sell WomanDo deodorant to the women then tell em their camel toe will be scent free for 72 hrs.

Mando grossed me out.... if my grandson 10-11 asked me about a man's package I'd question my response.

That gal started with women’s deodorant.
Used the term “5 Hole”…… hockey slang for between the goalie’s legs.
At least she’s consistent.

 

[RT Ford]

One day, about 30 years ago, my wife and I were shopping in a grocery store. While standing in the check out line, I felt a tug on my sleeve and I looked down into the face of a boy about 8 or 9 years old. He said 'you're a pool player, aren't you? I saw you playing at the Plaza Lanes', (a local bowling alley with a couple of 9 foot Brunswicks.) He continued, 'You're a really good player' he said with a big smile on his face. I thanked him, said goodby, and we left the store. On the way home I said to my wife, I don't remember ever seeing that kid before, but he remembered me. What if I'd been drinking ,smoking, and cussing when he was watching me? What kind of example would I be setting? Ever since that day, I've been very careful about what I do and say. You never know who might be watching you.